Asian Americans Advancing Justice Affiliation Appalled by Passage of Reconciliation Bill in Congress
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Liana Liang lliang@ajsocal.orgJames Woo media@advancingjustice-atlanta.orgAngela Lin alin@advancingjustice-chicago.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the House passed a Republican-led budget reconciliation package allocating over $70 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the next three years and includes a $350 million slush fund for enforcement in immigrant-friendly cities and states. This comes after last year’s $170 billion funding package for ICE and CBP, which was paid for through cuts to critical health and social services programs, for a total of nearly a quarter-trillion dollars to fund mass detention and deportation that harms families and communities.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a network of four independent Asian American civil rights organizations, issues the following statement in response:
“We are appalled that Congress has decided to give billions more in funding to ICE and CBP for the next three years instead of holding these agencies accountable. As we have said before, more money for immigration crackdowns will only cause more harm to our communities, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI). This bill is a clear misappropriation of funds. Instead of addressing issues such as healthcare, food assistance, or housing affordability that are essential to American families amidst the rising cost of living, Congress has elected to fund violence and intimidation of communities of color, including those in cities with pro-immigrant policies.
“This outcome signals a worrying abandonment of Congress’ oversight role. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not lack funds after Congress provided a $170 billion immigration slush fund as part of last year’s reconciliation package (H.R. 1). This year’s reconciliation package will allow ICE and CBP to continue their fearmongering campaigns through the rest of President Trump’s term without even the most basic guardrails. Those who are allowing continued attacks on our community must be held accountable.
“Everyone deserves to live in safe communities, regardless of the language they speak or the color of their skin. We cannot continue to allow our government to terrorize and inflict violence on communities with impunity. Instead of funding violence against our neighbors, families, and loved ones, Congress must address our everyday needs. That is the only way to ensure the continuing security of all Americans.”
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