ICYMI: Rep. García: Blasts Trump for Weaponizing Immigration Courts
Republicans know what they’re doing is illegal and unpopular, and they are doing everything they can do to hide it.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), member of the House Judiciary Committee and Congressional Progressive Caucus Whip, joined a virtual shadow hearing led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) to expose the Trump administration’s latest tactic: using immigration courts as traps to detain and disappear people.
The hearing, “Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Weaponization of Immigration Courts”, laid out how ICE is luring immigrants to appear at scheduled court dates or check-ins—then detaining them on the spot. According to news reports, at least 100 people were arrested in June alone during courthouse operations.
“Because Republicans know what they’re doing is illegal and unpopular, they’re doing everything they can to hide it, including by preventing Members of Congress from exercising their legal oversight authority to visit detention facilities,” said Congressman García during the hearing.
“All of these tactics have been used in Chicago. ICE agents showed up to our immigration court and detained at least four people who had shown up for their hearings. They also detained people at their check-ins, including a mother with no criminal record who had applied for asylum and complied with all requirements,” he continued.
“So I’ve seen firsthand what’s happening to our immigrant communities like the one I represent, and how blatantly this Administration is violating the law to cover up their abuses. This is a moment of crisis in our country. We must double down on oversight, legislative proposals to fix our immigration system, and our commitment to the dignity and humanity of all immigrants and all people.”
To watch the video of the hearing, click here.
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