Civil Rights, Housing, and Voting Rights

Washington, D.C. - Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), will continue the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) while the department conducts a review of the program, rather than suspend it as planned:

"Attorney General Sessions' announcement that he would not halt the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) is a step in the right direction. The LOP not only provides critical and even life-saving information to immigrants about their rights, it also saves taxpayers millions of dollars by improving the efficiency of our immigration court system.

Washington D.C.— Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), led by Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions seeking an immediate reversal of his decision to suspend the Legal Orientation Program (LOP) and the Immigration Court HelpDesk (ICH). Both programs have been shown to save taxpayer dollars and improve efficiencies in the court system.

"While you have made statements, and issued memorandums calling on immigration courts to run more effectively and alleviate immigration court backlogs, suspending the LOP Program is in diametric opposition to this desired outcome," the Members wrote.

Washington D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate voted 50-47 to confirm the nomination of Kyle Duncan to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement strongly opposing Kyle Duncan's confirmation:

"Kyle Duncan's career and judicial body of work does not meet the standard to merit a nomination, confirmation or lifetime appointment to our federal bench. His decisions and public record demonstrate a disregard for impartiality. Most alarmingly, Duncan's legal career was built undermining the rights of immigrants, minorities, women and LGBTQ Americans. It is clear that Mr. Duncan espouses the same extreme political views as President Trump.

Washington, D.C. - Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement in honor of Earth Day:

"On Earth Day we renew our commitment to the protection and preservation of our environment, land, water and wildlife. In contrast to the President's reckless disregard for the environment, we must advance policies that address climate change and continue to do the right thing for the health of our families and planet.

"Environmental issues are Hispanic issues and impact every single one of us. Hispanics are among the most vulnerable to extreme weather events and are more likely to suffer health issues stemming from environmental pollution.

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee marked up and passed H.R. 2 – the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 – commonly known as the Farm Bill. This version of the Farm Bill makes dramatic changes and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. SNAP is a temporary program that helps Americans struggling with food insecurity and poverty provide their children and families the sustenance they need to be healthy. SNAP is a powerful anti-poverty program for Hispanic families and Americans in both urban and rural communities across the country.

Washington, D.C. - Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement in response to the island-wide blackout in Puerto Rico:

"I am appalled to hear that nearly seven months after Hurricane Maria, the entire island of Puerto Rico is once again without power. It is unconscionable that, more than half a year after this devastation, millions of our fellow Americans continue to live under intolerable conditions - without access to clean water, food and electricity.

"The Trump administration failed Puerto Rico in the days and weeks following the deadly hurricane, and continues to fail and neglect the people of Puerto Rico. It is disgraceful that one of the most powerful nations in the world has utterly failed in helping our fellow Americans.

Washington, D.C. - Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement in reaction to a Trump administration memo ordering the end to ‘catch and release' at the border:

"Trump's directive to "end" ‘catch and release' is contrary to international and humanitarian law and will result in the cruel separation of families and prosecution of vulnerable asylum seekers fleeing violence and persecution.

Washington, D.C. - Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced it would end the policy of presumption of release for all pregnant women they apprehend:

"ICE's policy change toward pregnant women is inhumane and will expose these women to potential harm and undoubtedly lead to more miscarriages and pregnancy complications. This reprehensible policy change follows a disturbing and growing trend by the Trump Administration to detain pregnant women, which has already led to alarming reports of miscarriages in immigration detention due to CBP and ICE's inadequate medical care.

"Many of these vulnerable pregnant women are escaping gang-related violence and sexual abuse.