For Immediate Release
July 16, 2021
Contacts:
Arianna Rosales, National Immigration Project, arianna@nipnlg.org
Washington, D.C. - Following yesterday's Senate confirmation hearing for Ed Gonzalez, the Biden administration's nominee to become the next director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the National Immigration Project issued the following statement:
"The Biden administration has a mandate to transform ICE, an agency rife with corruption and abuse, yet yesterday's Senate confirmation hearing for Ed Gonzalez showed a continuation of the harmful status quo. During the hearing, Ed Gonzalez shared many views and responses reminiscent of the Obama era - a time that drove up detention and deportations, and perpetuated the criminalization of Black and brown communities. From stating his approval of the 287(g) program to ignoring ICE's track record of abuse and cruelty to failing to disavow the criminal prosecution of migrants pursuant to white supremacist laws, Ed Gonzalez showed that he fails to understand the deep-rooted problems of the very agency he is to take on.
"To transform our immigration system, we must learn from past mistakes to forge a bold new way forward. We cannot allow this administration to revert to the same policies, practices, and rhetoric that have caused so much harm to immigrant communities for decades. Ultimately, ICE's very foundation is rooted in white supremacy, and yesterday's hearing was further proof that the agency must be abolished."
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The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) is a national non-profit organization that provides technical assistance and support to community-based immigrant organizations, legal practitioners, and all advocates seeking and working to advance the rights of noncitizens. NIPNLG utilizes impact litigation, advocacy, and public education to pursue its mission. Learn more at nipnlg.org. Follow NIPNLG on social media: National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild on Facebook, @NIPNLG on Twitter and Instagram.