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“ Democratic priorities are clear: we will fight to get the economy back on track, we will create jobs, and we will help unemployed workers. ” |
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House Democrats Condemn Anti-Immigration Provisions in Republican 9/11 Bill That Harm National Security
Washington, D.C. – House Democrats tonight condemned anti-immigration provisions in the Republicans’ 9/11 intelligence reform legislation and tried to remove them.
Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), chair of the Democratic Caucus Immigration Task Force, today offered a motion to strip out the anti-immigration provisions in the Republican House 9/11 legislation. Republicans overwhelmingly voted to defeat the motion and to retain the anti-immigration provisions.
“The anti-immigration provisions contained in the Republican bill disrespect the work of the 9/11 Commission and make the American people less secure,” House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said. “House Republicans are playing politics with national security. Time and time again, the Republicans have attacked and impugned immigrant communities across America to score cheap political points.”
Congressman Gutierrez’ motion sought to remove Republican provisions that would prohibit the Matrícula Consular identification card and other consular cards, eliminate due process for asylum seekers and undocumented individuals, permit the deportation of individuals to countries that practice torture, and ban drivers’ licenses to law-abiding immigrants. All were retained by the Republican-led House.
“It is unconscionable that the Republicans would politicize national security and compromise our efforts to win the war on terror," said Gutierrez. "Immigrants died and lost family members in the Twin Towers, they helped rebuild the Pentagon and they serve on the frontlines in Afghanistan, Iraq and the global war on terror. It is shameful that the Republicans insist on attacking people who are serving, sacrificing and helping to shoulder the responsibilities of a post 9-11 world."
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) said: “There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that every single member of this body stands in support of protecting our homeland and the residents of this country. The Republican leaders are politicizing national security in a misguided attempt to advance their malicious attacks on our nation's immigrant community. How can we be advocating democracy and justice throughout the world when this bill removes basic due process protections for non-citizens?”
The House Republicans’ 9/11 legislation is the latest in a series of Republican anti-immigrant measures that endanger national security. Republicans unsuccessfully sought to restrict the Matrícula Consular identification card last month.
Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) has repeatedly introduced measures that would withhold federal homeland security funds to cities and states that refuse to end proven, community-based safety policies. And Congressman Dana Rohrabacher’s (R-CA) legislation would have mandated that hospitals, as a condition of receiving federal funds, violate medical ethics and compromise public health by requiring that immigration status be determined prior to providing medical services.
With the support of Democrats, the Tancredo and Rohrabacher measures were defeated.
“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
