Members Call for End to Raids and for Humane Treatment of Refugees

WASHINGTON, DC (February 4, 2016) —Today, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA), and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) were joined by thirty Members of Congress in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Attorney General Loretta Lynch reiterating concerns about due process and the safety of recently deported Central American families.

The letter points out that many of the families may require special accommodation, given that a high percentage of Central American families suffer from depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder due to the situations of violence and persecution that many are fleeing. These conditions qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A 1973 law, the Rehabilitation Act, requires that federal programs make reasonable accommodations to accommodate disabled individuals. Such accommodations were not made in the recent raids.

"Many women and children fled countries with extreme violence, leaving everything behind, because they feared for their lives and safety. These experiences are traumatic and are only exacerbated by immigration raids," said Rep. DeLauro. "The Department of Homeland Security should take into consideration the anxiety and trauma of many of the women and children undergoing asylum and removal proceedings. These individuals may need additional guidance to understand and maneuver through complex immigration proceedings, and we should provide them with the resources they require. As Americans, we have a rich tradition and history of extending a hand to others and being a kind and generous nation. We can and we must do better."

"While I was encouraged by the recent announcement of expanded access to asylum in Central America and look forward to details of the plan, it doesn't justify the administration preventing refugees from having effective access to due process here in the United States," said Rep. Torres. "What happened to the idea that we would focus our immigration enforcement efforts on felons and security threats, not vulnerable families? These raids are contrary to our values as a country, and, as our letter points out, they may very well be contrary to our laws."

"It's unthinkable to turn our backs on families who are fleeing extreme violence and abuse," said Rep. Polis. "We must do everything we can to protect mothers and kids from being sent back to nations where they are likely to be persecuted. Thousands of lives are on the line, and it's imperative that we restore humanity to these proceedings."

This letter comes shortly after the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement defending these raids, crediting them with a recent drop in Southwest border crossings and touting the recent announcement of an expanded refugee program in Central America.

The full letter is available here.

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