WASHINGTON, DC (PR) - City officials and immigrant rights groups joined in a unity press conference at the front steps of City Hall to denounce efforts in the US Congress to scapegoat immigrants and undermine local Trust or sanctuary cities like Washington, DC.
Immediately after the tragic shooting death of Kate Steinle in San Francisco, Donald Trump was quick to blame undocumented immigrants and localities that have stood up against unjust immigration enforcement.
Many in Congress have joined the effort, supporting enforcement-only legislation that only one month ago would have seemed extreme. DC city leaders called on members in Congress to oppose all piecemeal, enforcement-only legislation attacking immigrant Trust policies.
"Unfortunately, this is only the latest in a long history of Congressional meddling in local DC affairs," said Councilmember David Grosso. "It is shameful that anti-immigrant politicians are exploiting a tragedy in San Francisco to push their agenda. The House and Senate need to focus on passing comprehensive immigration reform, and leave jurisdictions like DC to make their own decisions regarding local law enforcement."
The city of Washington, DC was one of the earliest to oppose entanglement with federal immigration enforcement during the roll-out of the Secure Communities deportation program, now the Priority Enforcement Program.
"DC is proud to be a sanctuary city," said US Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton in a statement for the event. "We are proud to stand with our immigrants, documented and undocumented alike."
Participating organizations include SEIU-32BJ, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), Trabajadores Unidos of DC, Many Languages One Voice (MLOV), CAIR Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union of NCA (ACLU), National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NLG), CARECEN-DC, Washington Peace Center, Madre Tierra Women's Group, United We Dream (UWD), We Belong Together/Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Georgetown Hoyas for Immigrant Rights, MEChA of Georgetown, and more.
Immediately after the tragic shooting death of Kate Steinle in San Francisco, Donald Trump was quick to blame undocumented immigrants and localities that have stood up against unjust immigration enforcement.
Many in Congress have joined the effort, supporting enforcement-only legislation that only one month ago would have seemed extreme. DC city leaders called on members in Congress to oppose all piecemeal, enforcement-only legislation attacking immigrant Trust policies.
"Unfortunately, this is only the latest in a long history of Congressional meddling in local DC affairs," said Councilmember David Grosso. "It is shameful that anti-immigrant politicians are exploiting a tragedy in San Francisco to push their agenda. The House and Senate need to focus on passing comprehensive immigration reform, and leave jurisdictions like DC to make their own decisions regarding local law enforcement."
The city of Washington, DC was one of the earliest to oppose entanglement with federal immigration enforcement during the roll-out of the Secure Communities deportation program, now the Priority Enforcement Program.
"DC is proud to be a sanctuary city," said US Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton in a statement for the event. "We are proud to stand with our immigrants, documented and undocumented alike."
Undocumented youth and allies have taken over Senator Dianne Feinstein's lobby in #SF. We are fed up and won't take it no more! #Not1More #IceOutOfCA
Posted by California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance on Thursday, July 30, 2015
Participating organizations include SEIU-32BJ, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), Trabajadores Unidos of DC, Many Languages One Voice (MLOV), CAIR Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union of NCA (ACLU), National Lawyers Guild National Immigration Project (NLG), CARECEN-DC, Washington Peace Center, Madre Tierra Women's Group, United We Dream (UWD), We Belong Together/Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Georgetown Hoyas for Immigrant Rights, MEChA of Georgetown, and more.
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