Immigrants’ rights advocates call on Congress to defund hate

For Immediate Release: 
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Statement of Detention Watch Network Policy Director Mary Small

WASHINGTON — Today, the Senate made public the details of the 2018 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, including funding to expand President Trump’s persecution of immigrants. In response, Detention Watch Network Policy Director Mary Small issued the following statement:

“The Senate’s budget bill is an outright attack on immigrants. The Senate seeks to increase funding for Trump’s runaway deportation machine — including bankrolling a wall designed to further divide communities and families. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border and Customs Protection (CBP) already have bloated budgets, which they are using to decimate immigrant families."

“Members of the Senate and House should reject the racist principles behind Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda. They must defund hate and divest from these agencies that tear apart our families and terrorize our communities.”

To schedule an interview with Mary Small or other immigrants’ rights experts and activists, including community organizers, attorneys and clergy members, please contact Loretta Kane (917-410-7242 or loretta@caminopr.com).

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Detention Watch Network (DWN) is a national coalition of organizations and individuals working to expose and challenge the injustices of the United States’ immigration detention and deportation system and advocate for profound change that promotes the rights and dignity of all persons. Founded in 1997 by immigrant rights groups, DWN brings together advocates to unify strategy and build partnerships on a local and national level to end immigration detention. Visit www.detentionwatchnetwork.org. Follow @DetentionWatch.