Editor’s Note: Rep. Grijalva released the following statement after concerning reports that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) had planned massive nation-wide raids later this month. According to reports, “Operation Mega,” targeted between 6000 and 10000 individuals. As of Sept. 7th, the agency issued a statement saying it had canceled nationwide enforcement actions due to Hurricane Irma and the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.
This is not about law and order, this is solely a sick scheme that does nothing but create more fear and insecurity in our nation.
Under a Trump administration our families live in constant fear of being collateral damage to an extremist immigration agenda. If these reports coming from officials close to ICE are accurate – they only shed light to the disgusting and deplorable tactics this administration has used from day one to divide families and tear apart our immigrant communities. Amidst two of the worst natural disasters to hit our nation, this administration had the audacity to consider spending its resources going after vulnerable populations. Just days ago, Trump shattered the dreams of 800,000 young individuals who pledge allegiance to no other nation than our own. [On September 7th], via a tweet he reassured DREAMers that they had nothing to worry about, yet he continues to scapegoat the immigrant community. While “Operation Mega” has been postponed, it is only a matter of time before his plan to detain thousands of individuals is executed. This is not about law and order, this is solely a sick scheme that does not nothing but create more fear and insecurity in our nation.
This administration has shown no respect for the basic principles and rights that are afforded under the Constitution to all individuals regardless of immigration status and that gravely concerns me. I call upon all my colleagues and fellow Americans who believe in the basic principles of justice and human decency to stand in solidarity with our immigrant community as they face this onslaught attack by the Trump administration whose fear tactics have no end in sight. It has become abundantly clear that Trump plans to use his executive authority for the worst, which makes protecting DREAMers and passing comprehensive immigration reform even more urgent.
Raúl Grijalva is a Congressman in Arizona and an elected Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee by his Democratic colleagues on the committee. He also serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and is a Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, as well as a long-standing member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
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