The president’s FY18 budget would make drastic cuts to healthcare, education and other programs that help people put food on the table, and instead includes billions of dollars for immigration enforcement.
Ahead of the August recess, immigrant families and community members from South Florida were joined by youth from all over the country in Miami rallied in front of Representative Mario Diaz-Balart’s Doral district office. Supporters rallied to demand that Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart opposes Trump’s hateful budget that includes:
- Funding to hire 500 more CBP agents and 1,000 more ICE agents, expanding even more the deportation force which has already grown. from 2,710 agents in FY 2003 to 7,995 agents in FY 2016.
- Increasing the number of people in immigration detention to over 51,000 everyday. This means locking up the equivalent of the entire population of New Orleans over the course of a year.
- Funding for 70 additional prosecutors to label more immigrants as criminals.
- One billion dollars for military hardware and surveillance technology that will likely be used to target immigrants.
“We are disappointed in Mario for voting to give Trump $1.6 billion for his border wall. It’s time that he stands with his community and stops giving out our tax-dollars to separate more families. We need education, we need healthcare and we need Mario to defend DACA and TPS,” said Cynthia Moreno, a member of WeCount! and leader of the national immigration campaign We Belong Together.
August 15th marks the milestone anniversary when immigrant youth were first able to apply for DACA protection in 2012. Over the past five years, DACA has provided immigrant youth protection from deportation, the opportunity for higher education and jobs, and more stability to our communities. Similarly, TPS has aided over 300,000 immigrants from Africa, Haiti, Central America and other countries that have suffered from major catastrophes.
“I came to this country alone with my two children 17 years ago looking for a better future and stability for my family. DACA changed our lives and has been a grand blessing because it has allowed us to stay united and has given us the hope to fight for my children’s dreams: their studies and their work,” explained Maria Perez, mother of two DACA recipients, and member of United We Dream.
“Nevertheless, today DACA and my family are in danger. If they take away the program, our children will be the next targets of deportation. Congressman Diaz-Balart must raise his voice to protect the DACA program while we fight for a permanent solution for our families.”
The rally and press conference were organized by FLIC, WeCount!, Miami Workers Center, Students Working for Equal Rights, United We Dream, We Belong Together, FIRM and Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.
- Luján, HHS Secretary Becerra, and Albuquerque Mayor Keller Visit Albuquerque Sobering Center - April 11, 2024
- Rep. Vasquez Secures Significant Investments to Bring Jobs to the West Side - April 4, 2024
- NHCC Guest-Curated Art Exhibition Examines Influence of Artworks By Incarcerated Artists - April 4, 2024
