Washington, DC – As many Latino families across the country prepared to celebrate the holidays, the Obama administration announced their plans for a series of raids that would deport hundreds of families who came to the U.S. border fleeing violence.
In the past few days we’ve received reports of raids in Georgia and Texas, among other states.
Below is a statement from Cristóbal J. Alex, President of Latino Victory Project:
“It is outrageous and unconscionable that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is conducting raids to deport refugee families seeking asylum from violence and persecution. Refugee families should not be an immigration enforcement priority, period. These mothers and children are not a threat, they came to our border seeking safety, and they deserve due process and proper representation in order to navigate our complex immigration system. They should not be punished for the lack of proper resources in our failed immigration policies.
“The United States has always been a beacon of hope and safe haven for those in need. These raids go against our values as a nation and will have serious, even deadly, repercussions for families being returned to danger and violence in their country of origin.
“We hope the Obama administration will come to its senses and stop turning their backs on these refugees seeking help. Deporting mothers and children is plain wrong, and it is politically nonsensical.”
