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Don’t Write John Kelly A Blank Check: Stop the Crackdown On Refugees

UPDATE: John Kelly has just been appointed President Trump’s chief of staff. As Homeland Security Secretary for the last six months, he has put Trump’s ruthless agenda into action: Punishing people fleeing violence and demonizing foreigners. He has supported ripping families at the border apart and backed the Muslim and refugee ban.

Now, he’s poised to do even more harm, acting as Trump’s right hand. Tell Congress: Don’t give Kelly a blank check to enforce Trump’s ruthless anti-refugee agenda. Don’t let the Trump administration tear families apart and lock them up just for seeking safety here.
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Right now, President Trump is asking Congress to fund his hateful agenda on refugees. He wants $4.5 billion for his abusive enforcement policies including against those fleeing here to seek safety.

The U.S. already spends more on immigration enforcement laws than it does on the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Secret Service. And now President Trump wants even more money for enforcement policies against people who are only seeking safety.

Earlier this year, there were an unprecedented 42,000 men, women, and children in detention – including families who fled dangerous violence and came to the U.S. to be safe.

We must stop criminalizing people who are only seeking refuge. This is the cost of fear.

⬇ Make Your Voice Heard ⬇

Dear Member of Congress,

Reject President Trump's funding request of $4.5 billion dollars for an abusive enforcement agenda, including $1.5 billion for expanded immigration detention and removal. This request would increase the harmful impact on families and others fleeing to the U.S. seeking safety.

The U.S. already operates the world’s largest immigration detention system at a cost of $2 billion annually. In the last fiscal year, the U.S. detained a historic high of 42,000 individuals – including families who fled horrific violence for refuge in the United States. The detention system is now so punishing that asylum seekers are abandoning their claims to protection because they cannot bear one more day in detention.

While slashing funding for education, housing, school lunch programs, and international humanitarian assistance, the President’s budget proposal prioritizes enforcement and mass detention. This funding request underwrites an abusive enforcement agenda that undermines both the right to seek asylum and non-refoulement and will lead to violations of human rights.

Congress has “the power of the purse” to stop this agenda. Turning our back on those in need is an affront to our country's tradition of welcoming people seeking safety and cherished values of due process, fairness, and equality. Congress must reject the administration’s funding request to expand the immigration detention system, and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to human rights.

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