Like all of you, I am deeply concerned about the recent ICE (U. S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) sweeps in our neighborhoods - both the manner in which they were conducted and their effects on our community.  This "Operation Return to Sender" initiative has resulted in many arrests and caused undue anxiety.

No one, especially our children, should have to live in fear.  Nor should they have to live in ignorance of their basic rights in this country.  Local organizations and officials, with whom I have been in close contact, can assist with many of these issues and are an important resource for our immigrant communities.

On the Federal level, however, I have been working with other California Members of Congress to demand full and comprehensive answers from ICE regarding their policies and procedures in these actions.  Representative Zoe Lofgren of San Jose, who is Chair of the Immigration Subcommittee, has written to the director of ICE on our behalf detailing these concerns, requesting both a prompt response and arrangement of briefings for congressional representatives, local agencies and the public.  Copies of this letter are available from my office.  And it is important to realize that none of this would be happening if we had a sound and meaningful immigration policy.  Immigration continues to be an asset to this country and to California, and I will continue fighting to develop a policy that is fair and humane and offers a pathway to permanency.