10 MAR 2023

ICYMI: Congressional Progressive, Asian Pacific American, Hispanic, and Black Caucuses United in Calling on the Biden Administration to Reject Family Detention

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, the Chairs of the Congressional Progressive, Asian Pacific American, Hispanic, and Black caucuses all released statements calling on President Biden’s administration to reject the resumption of family detention at the southern border. This discredited and harmful practice was discontinued by the Biden administration in line with the President’s campaign promises to end the cruelty that defined immigration policy under the Trump administration. 

The unity of multiple Congressional caucuses speaking out with the same outrage indicates there is broad consensus among Democrats that family detention is unacceptable and incongruent with the history and the values of this country. Mothers, fathers and young children who come to this country to seek safety from violence and freedom from persecution deserve to exercise their legal right to apply for asylum – without being incarcerated.

In case you missed it…

Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), and Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus(CAPAC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) respectively, issued the following statement:

“We are deeply concerned by reports that the Biden administration is considering reinstating family detention in an attempt to deter migration. We agree with Secretary Mayorkas when he said, 'A detention center is not where a family belongs.' We should not return to the failed policies of the past. There is no safe or humane way to detain families and children, and such detention does not serve as a deterrent to migration. We strongly urge the administration to reject this wrongheaded approach.”

 Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following statement:

“After speaking directly with Secretary Mayorkas, I explained that the detention of children, migrants or otherwise, in private prison facilities is unconscionable and shouldn’t be the policy of the DHS. I strongly urge him and the Administration to ensure our nation steers clear of using these facilities. I will work with my colleagues in the coming weeks as we work to find solutions that keep families together and strengthen the border, and remain committed to a fair and humane immigration policy.”

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.