CAPAC Slams $70 Billion Blank Check for ICE and Border Patrol

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), issued a statement following House passage of a partisan budget bill that cuts another blank check for ICE and Border Patrol: 

“For over a year and a half, the Trump administration has deployed masked, untrained agents to racially profile our neighbors and terrorize communities across America. This chaos continues today, yet Republicans in Congress are giving ICE and Border Patrol another $70 billion to continue its mass deportation campaign without any accountability or oversight. 

“Nearly 70 percent of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders believe the Trump administration’s immigration policies have gone too far, and it is not difficult to understand why. ICE agents reportedly asked Minnesota residents to tell them where their Asian neighbors live. They broke into the home of a Hmong U.S. citizen without a warrant and dragged him outside in freezing temperatures wearing nothing but his underwear. And since Trump took office, 50 people have died in ICE custody, at least ten of whom were individuals of Asian descent. 

“That is why CAPAC members stood united in opposing any funding for ICE absent serious and meaningful reforms. Republicans had the opportunity to join us but instead chose to cut ICE a blank check to continue brutalizing our communities. 

“These are the same Republicans who claim there is not enough money for health care, food assistance, or education. But somehow, there is always enough money for masked immigration agents, lavish ballrooms, and foreign wars. The American people can see right through the hypocrisy, and they will not forget it.” 

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