Press Release
GUTIERREZ CONDEMNS SECOND MASSIVE ICE RAID IN UNDER FOUR MONTHS, CALLS FOR ADHERENCE TO DUE PROCESS AND FAIRNESS UNDER THE LAW
August 28, 2008
Media Contact: Rebecca Dreilinger (202) 225-8203
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Washington, DC) Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed another large-scale workplace raid. In response, Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL), who has called on the Bush Administration to institute a moratorium on raids, issued the following statement.
"The Bush Administration has once again employed fear tactics and piecemeal, deportation-only policies that profoundly worsen our immigration crisis and create broken homes. These policies tore the fabric of our society in Postville, Iowa, and they are undermining our family values yet again in Laurel, Mississippi.
"ICE officials have promised that 'everyone will have due process under law,' and I will be vigilant to ensure that our federal government's troubling missteps in Postville are not repeated in Laurel. Those in custody are entitled to immediate access to an attorney who is well-versed in immigration law. Moreover, those released on humanitarian grounds should be allowed a means to work and to feed their families, without having to depend on handouts from the local community.
"It is also my hope that yesterday's raid will compel my fellow delegates to the Democratic Convention to take a closer look at ourselves, and to demonstrate that we are the party of fairness and of justice. This week, Democrats have a chance to make a commitment to reasonable reforms that honor hard work; that protect our borders; and that respect families."
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