Washington D.C – This week, the newly inaugurated U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that, among other things, would massively expand mandatory detention requirements for immigrants who have been convicted, charged, or merely arrested for certain theft offenses. The bill also gives states broad standing to sue the federal government on many immigration actions, from broad policy decisions to individual case decisions. In passing the Laken Riley Act, House Republicans and 48 Democrats shamelessly exploited a devastating tragedy to win political points and facilitate incoming President Trump’s mass deportation plans. They have scapegoated all immigrants while failing to advocate for and invest in systems that actually keep people safe and help communities thrive.
As the U.S. Senate takes up the act for a vote this week, Detention Watch Network demands that elected officials reject the use of immigrants as political pawns and instead demonstrate their commitment to protecting immigrant communities by voting no and striking this bill down.
Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director of Detention Watch Network, offered the following statement:
“This bill exploits a devastating tragedy to drastically expand mandatory detention and facilitate mass deportations through the criminal punishment system. It will lead to many more people being detained without access to bond and will particularly impact Black and brown communities, who we know are disproportionately targeted by law enforcement. Detention Watch Network demands that Congress reject this bill which will undoubtedly result in the separation of families and loved ones. Let us be clear: this bill will facilitate Trump’s mass deportation agenda and must be met with strict opposition from the Senate.”
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Detention Watch Network (DWN) is a national coalition building power through collective advocacy, grassroots organizing, and strategic communications to abolish immigration detention in the United States.