Hispanic Federation has issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency’s increased raids in Latino communities throughout the United States.
“Any hope that 2016 would bring an end to the cruel and inhumane policy of deporting undocumented immigrants and tearing apart their families has fallen by the wayside as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency has intensified its raids in Latino communities across the United States. Hispanic Federation and its network of 100 Latino community-based organizations are deeply disturbed by these increased enforcement actions by ICE.
The failure of Congress to debate, let alone enact, meaningful and comprehensive immigration reform has created a system that seeks to punish undocumented families while offering them no opportunity to regularize their status in the United States. What is even more troubling is that the Obama administration has chosen to yet again embrace these draconian enforcement tactics by prioritizing the deportation of Central Americans seeking asylum in our country. These asylum seekers are by and large women and children who the White House has itself acknowledged have recently entered our country seeking refuge and protection from the violent conditions in their home countries. This is completely unacceptable.
Hispanic Federation calls on President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to immediately end these raids and suspend the deportation of non-violent undocumented immigrants. Furthermore, we call on the President to use his executive authority to extend Temporary Protected Status to refugee families fleeing the pervasive violence and deteriorating conditions in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Congressional inaction is not an excuse to continue implementing a policy that is inconsistent with our values as Americans. Enough is enough!”
