Pallone Statement on Trump’s Immigration Raids in Edison

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) statement on Trump Administration immigration raids in Edison, NJ:

“Once again, President Trump is terrorizing our communities and raiding places of work. Trump keeps suggesting that he is only arresting or deporting hardened criminals and gangsters. Yesterday’s raid in Edison is more proof his administration will stretch the law without a warrant. The warehouse workers were just trying to do their jobs when armed agents stormed in rounding up our neighbors without warning or cause, just to make a political point.

“Trump is even arresting and deporting American citizens and legal immigrants. In fact, he deported an American citizen - a 10-year old girl - who was receiving treatment for brain cancer. ICE should not be descending on our communities, schools, hospitals and places of worship just to fulfill a quota system.  Their actions are arbitrary in causing disruption of families and communities.

“This excessive show of force is meant to terrify immigrant communities and undermine due process. Many of those detained have lived here for years, paid taxes, and contribute to our economy. And now, because of the One Big Ugly Bill Republicans passed, Trump is getting billions more to turbocharge his deportation machine -- while gutting health care and food assistance for millions of Americans.

“Americans don’t want millions of undocumented, law-abiding immigrants arrested and deported. They want our broken immigration system replaced by one that treats people humanely and includes a pathway to citizenship if you work, pay taxes, and follow the law.”

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