This Tuesday afternoon, the US House of Representatives approved federal spending legislation (HR 1158) that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.  In response the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) is issuing the following statement:

ICIRR is deeply troubled that the US House, including most members of the Illinois delegation of both parties, has approved further funding for the border wall and for already record-high levels of immigration detention.  This bill fails to rein in this Administration’s ongoing policies that harm immigrants seeking refuge in the US, including the “Migrant Protection Protocols” (aka Remain in Mexico), which have worsened the already dire humanitarian crisis on our southern border.  The bill furthermore fails to guard against this Administration’s attempts to divert funds from other departments and programs to pay for the wall, or otherwise hold the Administration accountable for the harm it is inflicting on immigrants.

ICIRR thanks Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia for voting no on this spending bill.  We call on the US Senate to reject this bill.  And we look forward to working with our allies in the community and in elected office in the coming year to advance policies that treat immigrants and refugees with dignity and respect and expand protections and relief for all 11 million people living without documentation that have made this country their home.

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