On Thursday, May 12, Reuters reported the Obama Administration intends to launch a nationwide 30-day “surge” of new immigration deportation raids, targeting hundreds of families and young adults through the months of May and June. In January, Representative Judy Chu (CA-27) condemned similar raids that resulted in the deportation of 121 individuals, mainly women and children from Central America. Rep. Chu released the following statement:
“Today’s [May, 12] news, if true, is devastating for immigrant families across the country, and is a huge step backwards from the progress made through the president’s executive actions. The targeting of refugee mothers and children is outrageous and diametrically opposed to our values as a nation. To deport these individuals and tear apart families is inhumane. As we strive to build trust within our communities, these proposed raids breed nothing but fear and suspicion. Rounding up and detaining refugees will undoubtedly lead to the re-victimization of refugee families fleeing gang warfare and drug violence. These raids were wrong in January and they are wrong today. Refugees with credible fear have a legal right to be in this country. They deserve due process and a fair day in court with access to appropriate language services as needed. We should help these refugees by offering them government provided attorneys rather than returning them to peril or even death. We are and must remain a nation of laws, but we are also a compassionate nation of principles. I am strongly opposed to these raids and urge the Obama Administration to work with us on a comprehensive solution to address the refugee crisis from Central America.”
