Immigration and Border Issues
The Immigration and Border Issues Task Force provides a national voice and leadership with regard to immigration and border issues, both within the halls of Congress and on behalf of diverse communities across the United States.
Members:
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, Co-Chair
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Co-Chair
Rep. Joaquin Castro
Rep. Juan Vargas
Rep. Filemon Vela
Senator Robert Menendez
More on Immigration and Border Issues
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Second Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), led a letter to the House Appropriations Committee, urging them to strike a provision from the FY2017 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill that would require the Library of Congress to use the terms “aliens” and “illegal aliens” in its subject headings. In March, the Library of Congress decided to replace the term “aliens” in its subject headings with “noncitizens,” and to replace the term “illegal alien” with “non-citizens” and “unauthorized immigration.” The Tri-Caucus – comprised of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) – also signed the letter.
Washington, DC- Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statements opposing the reported plans by ICE to deport Central American refugees. The plans were first reported by Reuters yesterday.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has been denouncing these ICE removals since January. Among the Caucus’ efforts, the CHC released a statement in January opposing the raids, held a press conference, and requested a meeting with President Obama to discuss this issue. CHC Members also joined House Democrats in sending a letter to the Administration to express their concern on the removal of these mothers and children and called for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Washington, DC- Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus met with Speaker Paul Ryan. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss priorities important to the Latino community. At the top of the list was Puerto Rico. The meeting was productive and cordial.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has been fighting for the 3.5 million American citizens that reside in Puerto Rico and for an end to the economic and fiscal crisis on the Island. CHC Members urged the Speaker to swiftly usher through the House legislation on Puerto Rico that allows the Island to restructure a meaningful portion of its debt, provides for reasonable, respectful and independent oversight of Puerto Rico’s fiscal affairs, and does not include labor provisions that harm workers.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Members released the following statements on the U.S. v. Texas oral arguments. The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA).
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus led the push for the immigration executive actions and together with House Democrats, has been fighting to protect them since the President’s announcement in November 2014. The case could affect millions of citizens and non-citizens, many of whom are Latino.
Linda Sánchez Statement on Republican Anti-Immigrant Amicus Brief Resolution
Washington, DC – Representative Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a member of the Ways and Means Committee, today made the following statement for the record on H. Res. 639, the House Republican resolution to undo President Obama’s Executive Action on immigration:
Mister Speaker,
I rise today in opposition to H. Res. 639, a misguided resolution forced on all members of the House of Representatives in an attempt to block President Obama’s execution action on immigration. This is yet another partisan effort by House Republicans to tear families apart and separate children from their parents.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statements condemning Speaker Paul Ryan’s announcement that House Republicans will force a vote on a resolution authorizing the filing of a legal brief that supports halting the President’s immigration executive actions. The Supreme Court is hearing United States v. Texas this term and by filing the brief, Republicans want to block the immigration executive actions from taking effect.
The statements come from the CHC’s Immigration Task Force Co-Chairs, Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) released the following statements on the Supreme Court vacancy. The statements follow today’s meeting between President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, and Senate Judiciary Ranking Member Patrick Leahy.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez issued the following statement following the Supreme Court’s decision to hear United States v. Texas. The justices have agreed to take up the Administration’s appeal of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling which upheld the decision by a lower court to halt Obama’s immigration actions.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to hear United States v. Texas is a step in the right direction. There is still hope. In a few months, the Supreme Court could rule in favor of the Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Expansion programs.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez issued the following statement on the raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 121 people were taken into custody this past weekend. The individuals were primarily from Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.
“Raiding people’s homes to forcibly break families apart is not what our country stands for. Our federal government should not be separating parents from their children. As the mother of a young son, it’s easy for me to imagine how traumatizing having ICE agents storm someone’s home and tearing families apart can be for a young child.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda T. Sánchez released the following statement after Texas' Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 against the immigration executive actions. President Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) programs would have benefited approximately 5 million people.
"The Fifth Circuit is on the wrong side of history. President Obama sought to do the right thing for our country absent a legislative solution, which has been blocked time after time by Republicans in Congress. Millions of people will have to continue living in fear until the future of their immigration status is determined. We know that DACA and DAPA-eligible individuals are taxpayers and have long contributed to our economy.