Washington, DC — Today, America’s Voice hosted a virtual press event featuring law enforcement experts and former federal officials to discuss the public safety harms of the administration’s mass deportation agenda and intent to keep Americans divided at a time of heightened political violence.
Experts discussed the dangers of deploying the military and masked ICE agents in American communities and diverting money and manpower away from disaster preparedness and active federal investigations and toward low-level immigration enforcement targeted at long-residing immigrants.
Joanna Kuebler, Chief of Programs of America’s Voice and moderator of the event, referenced this morning’s shooting at the ICE facility in Dallas in her introductory remarks, condemning political violence and noting: “At a time of heightened political violence, America needs national leaders who will work to bridge the divide, calm fears and focus on keeping all our communities safe. Unfortunately, this administration is pursuing a different track, pledging retribution, stoking division, scapegoating immigrants and pursuing a mass deportation agenda – all of which are at odds with public safety.”
Officer Harry Dunn, former U.S. Capitol Police officer, stated: “Under no circumstances should we allow political violence, nor should we normalize it. No matter who it happens to or who it’s directed against. There is no place for it. I say that as someone who personally endured political violence at its highest form on January 6, 2021 when me and hundreds of my coworkers were attacked and beaten by a mob that believed the election was stolen.”
Rafael Lemaitre, former Director of Public Affairs at FEMA, stated: “These draconian cuts to FEMA are putting us on track to painfully relearn the tragic lessons of Hurricane Katrina. Every dollar DHS diverts away from FEMA and towards mass deportations is a dollar taken away from disaster survivors and vulnerable communities.”
Jason Houser, former Chief of Staff at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was unable to join the virtual event, but for related questions and interview requests, please email press@americasvoice.org
- Access a recording of today’s virtual event HERE
