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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the House passed S. 5, the “Laken Riley Act,” sending it to President Trump’s desk with the backing of 46 Democrats and bipartisan support in the Senate. This dangerous legislation mandates the detention and deportation of people without legal status and includes an even greater number of people accused of low-level crimes before their cases are formally ruled on, bypassing due process. This legislation will have devastating, far-reaching consequences, not only for immigrants, but for federal immigration policy in the U.S. and our justice system. It will obstruct due process and lead to racial profiling and indefinite detention.

As the legislation moves to the President’s desk, advocates are calling for a reevaluation of policies that undermine the rights and dignity of individuals based on unfounded and uninvestigated allegations. The fight against this type of weaponized policy is far from over, and communities must unite in opposition to such divisive measures.

Said Nicole Melaku, NPNA executive director, “By enabling the detention and deportation of individuals based on mere accusations, without the need for a conviction, this legislation sets a dangerous precedent that erodes America’s democracy. This overreach of power not only threatens immigrant communities but also opens the door to further abuses of our justice system–and the chaos that comes with corruption. We are deeply concerned to see members of Congress across the political spectrum succumb to fear-mongering policies that seek to divide the country and root us in panic and disinformation about our immigrant neighbors. Congress must regain its moral compass and stop scapegoating immigrants for political gain, separate families from their loved ones, and destabilize our communities, workforce and economy. To our state leaders: We call on your attorneys general to challenge this bill in federal district court to protect immigrant communities–and our society–from a blanket abuse of power. We must reaffirm our nation’s commitment to democracy and due process for all people.”

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The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is a multi-ethnic, multiracial coalition of 83 of the nation’s largest immigrant and refugee rights organizations with reach across over 42 states. Together with our members, we advance immigrant and refugee equity and inclusion, build and expand immigration legal services and integration programming capacity, and drive campaigns that strengthen democracy through increased civic participation. See our website for more information at partnershipfornewamericans.org.