Cárdenas Statement on Trump Administration New Expedited Removal Rule
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Trump administration began using a new expedited removal rule as a fast-track deportation method that bypasses the judicial review process to quickly target and deport undocumented immigrants in the United States who are unable to provide immediate documentation that they have been in the country for two years or more. The new strategy will apply to immigrants anywhere in the country, a change from the administration’s policy for “expedited removal” that had been limited to individuals apprehended within 100 miles of the U.S. border and arrested within 14 days of arrival.
“This new change in deportation policy is further proof that Donald Trump wants to ‘send back’ everyone who does not look like him,” said Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29). “This cruel method is meant to cause fear and panic in immigrant communities and communities of color. If Donald Trump truly wanted to fix our broken immigration system, he would address the root cause of the problem and not make decisions based on winning reelection. As President Trump continues his attacks on people in America, Democrats will not stand idly by and we will fight to end this administration’s heartless and failing immigration policies that separate families, hurt our economy, violate human rights, bypass judicial review, and make us less safe.”
This new policy shift comes as the Trump administration continues to enforce its cruel separation and detention practices that have resulted in a humanitarian crisis at the southern border. Thousands of migrant children and women seeking asylum are currently being held in ICE detention facilities that are in a state of disrepair. Overcrowding and life-threatening conditions have made the facilities uninhabitable. Recent reports found that children are not allowed to bathe or brush their teeth and are being forced to look after infants as young and as eight months.
Congressman Cárdenas is an original cosponsor of the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act (H.R. 3239) that addresses the humanitarian crisis at the border and ensures accountability and oversight of the detention facilities.
###