ICIRR Condemns First Raid Under New Administration

On Tuesday the first workplace raid under the new administration took place; 28 workers were detained at a business in Bellingham, WA and now are in process of deportation. The following is a statement by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR.)

Despite the promise of change from the new administration, raids and deportations have not stopped. The enforcement-only approach has proven ineffective and has only caused business disruption, family separation and terrorized communities. It is a shame that at a time of economic recession, billions of dollars are being spent on arresting and jailing immigrants that do not pose any threat to this country.

Our nation is hungry for real solutions that take into account the vast contributions of immigrants and the current economic downturn. The workers being jailed are family providers, business owners, and taxpayers who contribute to their communities’ economic growth. Current immigration laws are out of tune with the reality of immigrants and the effect that these enforcement-only practices have in every American.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) calls for a moratorium on raids and deportations and legalization for undocumented students, workers and their families.