Category: Press Release

In addition to the DREAM Act and preserving DACA at the federal level, states also have the opportunity to consider policy that protects immigrants. Here in Illinois, the bi-partisan TRUST Act passed the legislature and is now sitting on Governor Bruce Rauner’s desk, waiting for his signature. Governor Rauner should sign this legislation immediately.

We applaud today’s bipartisan introduction of the DREAM Act by Senator Durbin and Senator Graham. It’s a strong bill that would provide undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children a path to citizenship. The senators have stepped up to offer a solution when the DACA program is at risk of being terminated. We are dismayed that the president has already rejected this bill without having seen it.

Advancing Justice opposes the nomination of Eric Dreiband to lead the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, which enforces key federal laws protecting voting rights, housing rights, and education access, and sets critical national guidelines around police reform and hate crimes.

We condemn the House of Representative’s vote to pass HR 3003 and HR 3004 amidst strong concerns from immigrant communities, law enforcement, elected officials, and many others. The two bills are clearly motivated by the administration’s anti-immigrant agenda and cause considerable harm by eroding the trust between local law enforcement and communities of color, including immigrant communities.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice strongly opposes H.R. 3003 (the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act), H.R. 3004 (known as Kate’s Law), and the passage of any immigration enforcement legislation that would increase indiscriminate enforcement, further the criminalization of immigrants, and instill more fear in already terrified communities.