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Pelosi Statement on President Trump’s Plans for Mass Deportations

February 21, 2017

Contact: Drew Hammill/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616

San Francisco – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on Department of Homeland Security memos outlining immigration enforcement under the Trump Administration that lays the groundwork for mass deportations and weakens due process:

"Tearing apart families and dragging parents out of their homes does not make America great and it does not make America safe. These memos are a cruel blueprint for mass deportations that will terrorize communities, circumvent immigration courts by expanding expedited removal to the entire country, dismantle due process, and make it harder for undocumented victims and witnesses to come forward to police.

"The removal of violent criminals is an important priority for the security of our communities, but ordering ICE to vacuum up any immigrant they encounter will enable crime, not prevent it. With its new VOICE office, the Trump Administration is eroding the rights of VAWA-protected victims of domestic violence by handing a powerful new tool to those who would abuse and exploit undocumented women and children. We must also ask, will these memos also pave the way for the deportation of DREAMers?

"The United States must not become a deportation engine. House Democrats will continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform and stand our ground by fiercely protecting hard-working immigrant families. We will hold this Administration accountable for its cruel and short-sighted immigration policies."

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