Statement from Lupe M. Rodríguez, Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice on President Trump signing the Laken Riley Act into law



“We condemn the president’s signature of the Laken Riley Act, which is a direct threat to the safety, dignity, and humanity of immigrant communities. This bill creates a pipeline for mass detention and deportation for petty offenses and exploits a tragedy to put noncitizens, including DREAMERS, – who are not likely to pose a threat to public safety– at high risk of being deported and separated from their families.

“Moreover, the Laken Riley Act robs immigrants of their right to due process and their ability to defend themselves in a court of law and conveniently empowers hostile anti-immigrant states to take the reins on federal immigration policy.

“Deporting our immigrant families and friends won’t make our communities safer, but it will treat people as criminals based on nothing more than suspicion or minor offenses.

“At the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, we refuse to stand by as policies like these terrorize and demonize our communities. We will continue to build power in Latino/x communities across the country, uplift the voices of immigrant families, and fight for salud, dignidad, y justicia for all of us.”

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