For Immediate Release
January 23, 2025
Contact:
Arianna Rosales, arianna@nipnlg.org
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congress passed H.R. 29 (the Laken Riley Act), a harmful piece of legislation that attacks established constitutional protections, undermines due process, and will disproportionately target immigrant communities of color for detention and deportation.
The law subjects immigrants to prolonged, indefinite detention without bond. It also empowers states to interfere in federal immigration policy by granting them the ability to sue the federal government over immigration decisions they dislike, opening the door to politically motivated and discriminatory actions.
In response, Sirine Shebaya, Executive Director of the National Immigration Project, issued the following statement:
"The passage of the Laken Riley Act will be yet another stain on our nation’s history. Once again, our nation’s leaders have chosen to exploit tragedy in order to codify cruelty into our immigration laws, further lining the pockets of private prison companies by fueling the immigration detention system and facilitating mass deportations.
By prioritizing detention and criminalization over due process and human dignity, Congress has given the green light to a law that will separate families, destabilize communities, and further entrench racial inequities in our immigration system. We stand with immigrants, advocates, and legal practitioners in resisting this harmful legislation. And we denounce Congress for fueling fear and division instead of advancing policies that uphold the humanity and dignity of all people."
The National Immigration Project will release resources in the coming weeks to assist practitioners and community members in navigating this new legal landscape.
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