Immigration and Border Issues

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.

Washington, D.C. - Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led by U.S. Representative Jim Costa, sent a letter to the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Thomas Homan calling for the prioritization of ICE's limited resources on more strategic and effective law enforcement measures that target public safety threats.

"Prioritizing I-9 audits diverts ICE resources from other critical enforcement priorities. Under this new policy, ICE will send armed agents to businesses around the country to search for employment paperwork irregularities rather than enlisting these agents to track down human traffickers, investigate terrorists, or apprehend members of transnational criminal organizations.

Washington, D.C. - Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement after the Commerce Department announced that a new question on citizenship would be added to the 2020 Census:

"An accurate census is critical to our nation. And the political decision to add an untested and damaging question about citizenship to the 2020 Census at the 11th hour will suppress participation.

Washington, D.C. - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) urges all Members to oppose the FY 2018 omnibus:

The CHC cannot support this spending bill as it would fund Trump's border wall and mass deportation force. It is indefensible for Congress to pass a spending bill that not only leaves Dreamers without permanent protections but also funds their deportations and those of immigrants with deep ties to their communities. Furthermore, this bill does not enact bipartisan measures to stabilize our health care system, fix our broken pension system, or adequately address gun violence.

Washington, D.C. - Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement after the FY 2018 omnibus passed the House of Representatives:

"The Congressional Hispanic Caucus could not support a bill that funds Trump's border wall, bolsters his mass deportation force, and yet does nothing to permanently protect Dreamers.

Washington, D.C. – Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement on Rep. Louie Gohmert's resolution that would declare March 31st, César Chávez birthday, "National Border Control Day":

"For Rep. Gohmert to twist and warp the legacy of César Chávez is offensive, shameful and beyond the pale of normal logic. César Chávez shined a light on the injustices faced by farmworker families, very often risking his life to overcome the very racism and bigotry that Rep.

Washington, D.C. – Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement regarding a press conference hosted by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and conservative Hispanic leaders regarding a hardline, Republican-only immigration bill, H.R. 4760:

"Our position on the Mass Deportation Act has not changed. This hyper-partisan, sweeping bill would fundamentally change our legal immigration system and negatively impact our economy, which is why the bill has not garnered the support of a majority of the Republican conference.

Washington D.C. – The Congressional Tri-Caucus Chairs – composed of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Judy Chu (CA-27), and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Cedric Richmond (LA-02) – sent a letter to Majority Leader McConnell, Democratic Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan and Democratic Leader Pelosi to urge them to reject any increases in funding that can be used towards Trump's mass deportation force as negotiations continue on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 omnibus appropriations bill.

"Since President Trump took office last year, we have seen this Administration implement policy changes that have disproportionately harmed minorities and communities of color.