Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) along Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and leaders from across the country affiliated with the Hispanic Federation held a press conference to demand protections for the communities they represent as Republicans try to pass a Reconciliation bill which would pour $72 billion into immigration enforcement without oversight or accountability.
The timing of the reconciliation debate is unfolding as families struggle to afford groceries, gas, or a trip to the doctor and immigrant communities nationwide continue to bear the brunt of aggressive federal crackdowns that have killed American citizens, torn families apart, shuttered workplaces, cut off access to critical services, and destabilized entire neighborhoods.
“The American people want lower prices and health care they can afford, not attacks against working people, not inhumane detention centers, not endless wars, or scams that line the pockets of Trump and his friends. Instead of doing anything to rein in ICE or help Americans survive in Trump’s economy, Republicans are using their budget to hand ICE and Border Patrol another $70 billion blank check to fund more cruelty and brutality in American communities,” said Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04).
“This Republican reconciliation bill is a racket, pure and simple. They want to take $72 billion in taxpayer dollars and send it to immigration enforcement agencies that already have more money than they can handle, are tearing apart our communities, and are handing out no-bid contracts to Trump’s cronies. At a time when families are struggling with the rising costs of groceries, energy, housing, and health care, Americans need their government focused on lowering everyday costs and expanding economic opportunity, not fueling a detention and deportation industry that profits from human suffering,” said Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13).
“DHS remains the biggest threat to our collective safety and funding. It only fuels our own destruction and our human suffering. You see, for over a year, our communities have witnessed abductions, kidnappings, the unlawful detention of children, the militarization of our cities, the murder of our neighbors, the persecution of dissent and the rise of fascism in our nation all brought to us by Trump and DHS and my colleagues in the Senate,” said Rep. Delia Ramirez, (IL-03).
“I’ve seen firsthand how immigration enforcement and overreach have hurt our immigrant communities on the island. Businesses were shut down and kids were too afraid to go to school. I urge all my colleagues to vote no on this bill because it destroys our communities, because it hurts our communities, because it goes against the values that this country is supposed to defend and stand up for,” said Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Pablo Jose Hernandez.
“We have seen how these dollars are used when dispersed without proper oversight – unrestrained federal agents are deployed into communities, threatening public safety, violating constitutional protections, and diverting resources away from programs that uplift our communities. Even now, school desks sit empty, businesses are closed, families are torn apart, and lives are lost because of unchecked federal action. We demand Congress to reject this reconciliation legislation and return to bipartisan negotiations to incorporate oversight and accountability of the actions of federal agents,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, Hispanic Federation.
“As a mother, I never imagined having to explain to my seven-year-old why masked, armed men were surrounding schools and neighborhoods. The fear created by aggressive immigration enforcement does not end when an operation is over. It stays with children in their classrooms, in their homes, and in their mental health. Regardless of politics, no child should have to live with that kind of fear,” said Juliana Lozano, Executive Director of Despierta in North Carolina.
In Illinois, Operation Midway Blitz unleashed large-scale, violent, and unlawful immigration enforcement on our neighborhoods, fear in our schools, and pain in our communities; harms that will take generations to heal. Congress shouldn’t reward that with $72 billion more taxpayer dollars. Listen to the people who you represent and fund what families truly need to be safe and to thrive,” Linda Xóchitl Tortolero, President & CEO of Latino Policy Forum in Illinois.
“No child should come home from school wondering whether their family will still be together. As Congress considers this historic investment in immigration enforcement, we must remember the human impact and continue investing in education, workforce development, and opportunity,” Carlos Valentin Jr., President & CEO The ASPIRA Association Inc., and Pennsylvania resident.
“Congress cannot claim to stand for families while considering a blank check for immigration enforcement that spreads fear through our neighborhoods. In the Central Valley, we see the truth plainly: children are afraid, workers are silenced, and families are pushed away from the very services meant to keep them safe. This is not public safety – it is intimidation without accountability. We call on Congress to reject enforcement without limits and invest in the communities that feed, build, and sustain this country,” said Jose Rodriguez, President and CEO of El Concilio California.
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