Issued May 13, 2016
WASHINGTON, DC – Following news reports of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) plans to launch a 30-day series of raids targeted at Central American children and mothers, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) condemned any operation that considers refugee children and families and asylum applicants as immigration enforcement priorities.
SEIU’s Executive Vice President Rocio Saenz issued a statement in response:
“ICE plans to administer senseless raids is not helpful in any way and undermines our nation’s values. One child, one mother torn apart in the middle of the night is simply one too many.
“The mothers and children who made a difficult journey to our country, fleeing violence to find refuge, should be given an opportunity for due process and counsel, not targeted for aggressive law enforcement. Raids and deportations of families are not the answer or a good use of the agency’s resources.
“These reported plans underscore the crucial need to fix our immigration system. We cannot allow our country to continue to operate under outdated and cruel policies that tear apart families and put children at risk.
“We urge the Obama Administration to put a stop to these heinous raids.”