CAPAC Immigration Leaders Denounce “Toxic” Anti-Immigration Amendments to DHS Spending Bill

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which included a number of amendments to block President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and CAPAC Immigration Task Force Chair Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17) released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“The world is mourning. Millions have marched in Paris in the memory of the victims and to stand against terrorism. Yet, rather than work to strengthen our national security, House Republicans chose to play partisan games by hijacking the Department of Homeland Security funding bill with measures that dismantle the President’s executive action on immigration. Despite claims of support for immigration reform, we were not being asked to vote for a better immigration system. We were asked to vote for a crueler one—a system of mass deportation. One that tears parents away from children, disrupts communities, and weakens our economy. One that replaces the open hands of the Statue of Liberty with a sign that reads, ‘You are not welcome here!’ We must stop these political games that jeopardize our security and alienate aspiring Americans. Rather, we must work together on both sides of the aisle for a sensible and humane approach to immigration, and that is, comprehensive immigration reform.”       

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Immigration Task Force Chair:

“Today, House Republicans attached a series of anti-immigrant amendments to a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security that would effectively block President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. I condemn such unproductive tactics that prioritize politics over the needs of the American people. In light of Republican inaction in the House to pass a comprehensive immigration bill, President Obama used his Constitutional executive authority to make our broken immigration system more humane and efficient. His executive actions would delay the deportation of, and grant work permits to, up to five million undocumented immigrants. While the President’s executive actions provide immediate necessary relief, only Comprehensive Immigration Reform will provide a permanent solution to our broken immigration system. The majority of the American people support such an overhaul. As the Immigration Task Force Chair of CAPAC, I pledge to continue to vote against such tactics and to keep fighting for a comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system.”

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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.