Civil and Human Rights Coalition Urges Tough Questions of Secretary Kelly as He Defends Trump’s Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON— Ahead of Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly’s testimony before a House Appropriations subcommittee today, Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement: 

“Earlier this year, President Trump began laying down legal groundwork to build a mass deportation machine. His proposal to Congress would increase the budget for locking up and deporting immigrants by another $1.5 billion. It would pay for another 1,500 immigration enforcement officers, even though DHS is already struggling to hire qualified candidates. It would pour more money into a highly-flawed E-Verify program that burdens employers and trips up employees. And contradicting his campaign rhetoric about other countries paying, President Trump now wants American taxpayers to foot the bill for his unneeded wall.

Spending more money on a mass deportation machine, and punishing cities that rightfully refuse to participate in federal efforts, won’t make us stronger or more secure. Ruthless targeting of undocumented immigrants breaks up families and undermines our values as an inclusive nation. This budget once again shows the overwhelming need for Congress to take the lead on a bipartisan, comprehensive overhaul of our nation’s immigration system. In the meantime, Congress should reject a lopsided budget proposal that will only make matters worse and does not make us safer.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.