Issued January 08, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act (H.R. 29), which would require indefinite incarceration for noncitizens accused of minor offenses regardless of circumstances or conviction:
“Immigrants are and have always been essential. They keep this country fed, clean, safe, and healthy and contribute enormously to our economy. They are also less likely to commit crimes than others, and there is absolutely no evidence that deporting immigrants or treating them harshly reduces crime or makes us safer. H.R. 29 is based on the false premise that filling expensive private prisons with immigrants accused – not even necessarily convicted – of low-level offenses can in any way improve the lives of the rest of us.
Our nation cries out for critical immigration reforms that would lift our economy and benefit all workers, regardless of race or citizenship. This bill does none of that. It would be a distraction if it didn’t impose real harm on real families and communities. We can’t incarcerate our way out of our problems. H.R. 29 will in fact make us less safe.
SEIU urges the Senate to vote this bill down. Members of Congress should focus on working together to deliver what our communities really need— an economy that works for all, not just corporations and the wealthy. It’s time for our elected leaders to stop fear-mongering and do their job.”