García and Espaillat Announce Language to Keep USCIS from Closing International Offices

Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) announced the inclusion of important language relating to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) plan to close its international field offices in the report to accompany the bill funding the Department of Homeland Security. Earlier this year, USCIS announced it would close nearly two-dozen offices in 21 countries around the globe that assist with refugee and asylum cases, help Americans who are adopting children from abroad, process applications to reunite families, and work to combat immigration fraud. In response, García and Espaillat led more than 60 of their colleagues requesting that the House Appropriations Committee include language to keep the offices open.

In its draft report, the Appropriations Committee expressed concern about the plan and lack of congressional and stakeholder engagement. It directs USCIS to refrain from implementing a plan to close the offices until the agency consults with stakeholders and Congress on the rationale for closing these offices, potential costs and budget savings, and how services and personnel will be impacted.

"Every day President Trump finds new ways to attack immigrants and make it harder for people to come to the United States and pursue the American Dream. I am thankful to Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard for helping us stand against the closing of USCIS offices overseas. We must hold this Administration accountable and require them to provide services that USCIS should be providing," said Representative Jesús "Chuy" García.

"The Trump Administration will stop at nothing to make it harder for immigrants to come to the United States legally and closing these offices would only serve to make the process more difficult for individuals and families," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat. "I am grateful to Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard for the inclusion of this important language and their recognition of the critical work USCIS offices overseas do. I will continue to speak out and hold USCIS accountable for actions that harm immigrants."

Last month, García and Espaillat, along with Rep. Kathleen Rice (NY-04) introduced legislation to prevent USCIS from closing the offices without proper congressional oversight and approval.