CONYERS Criticizes DHS Memos As Unfairly Targeting Millions Of Non-Violent Individuals For Removal

New Actions May Violate U.S. Law and Treaties

Detroit, MI – House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) today released the following statement:

Dean of the U.S. House
of Representatives
John Conyers, Jr.

“Today Secretary John Kelly issued two memoranda implementing the recent executive orders on border security and enforcement of the immigration laws.  In doing so, Secretary Kelly has cemented President Trump’s plan to deport millions of immigrants from the United States.  These policies will wreak havoc on our local businesses, will tear apart families and will betray our values as a nation that protects those who are fleeing persecution.  Make no mistake, these policies are not about common sense governance, they are ideological decisions that are rooted in the fundamental belief that immigrants are a drain on our society. These are disastrous policies that will benefit no one other than the few extreme factions of the anti-immigrant and nativist community.

“Of gravest concern, today’s memoranda will dramatically expand the Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement efforts by no longer “exempt[ing] classes or categories of removable aliens” and specifically including anyone who has “committed acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offense,” such as improper entry or even jaywalking.  This would include virtually all undocumented individuals in America in stark contrast to Mr. Trump’s promises to target criminal aliens. 

“Additional provisions in today’s memoranda also trample long held notions of due process and fairness, result in a massive and unprecedented increase in detention, dramatically increase efforts to turn local law enforcement agents into immigration agents (including those with records of racial profiling and police misconduct), significantly limit access to asylum and other humanitarian protections, and deny vital protections for children fleeing persecution and terror.  Individually and collectively, these actions are in potential violation of U.S. law and international treaties, including the Trafficking Victim Protection Act.”

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