Washington, DC – The following is a statement from Lynn Tramonte, Deputy Director of America’s Voice Education Fund, reacting to today’s release of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implementation memos on immigration enforcement.
“These memos lay out a detailed blueprint for the mass deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants in America. They fulfill the wish lists of the white nationalist and anti-immigrant movements and bring to life the worst of Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric.
Previously, the Trump Administration had offered false assurances that their enforcement efforts would be focused on “criminals.” Now they are openly admitting that they “will not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement.” These memos amount to an instruction manual for the coast-to-coast, fast-track deportation of everyone in the United States without papers, no matter how long they’ve been here, how strong their family ties, and how much they contribute.
Mass deportation is not just the policy of the Trump Administration – it’s the policy of the entire GOP. Senate Republicans killed the DREAM Act in 2010. House Republicans refused to even schedule a vote on immigration reform in 2013. Both chambers tried to eviscerate President Obama’s common sense deportation priorities multiple times, even threatening to shut down the DHS. Now they have exactly what they wanted: open season on all immigrants. They, in addition to Trump and DHS Secretary Kelly, will own its consequences.
Once again, the American people are far more pragmatic than elected Republicans on this issue. Three-of-four Americans actually favor legalization over deportation. There are undocumented immigrants in every congressional district in America – including the red ones. When the Deportation Force comes knocking, families are separated, and American children and businesses are hurting, the American people will know exactly who to blame.”
America’s Voice Education Fund – Harnessing the power of American voices and American values to win common sense immigration reform
@FrankSharry and @AmericasVoice
