For Immediate Release
May 16, 2018
Washington – Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán teamed up with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) leadership to request Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen meet with members of the CHC to discuss pressing issues impacting the Latino community. The letter follows an exchange that Rep. Barragán had with Sec. Nielsen during a recent House Homeland Security Committee hearing. When the Congresswoman asked the Secretary if she would commit to meet with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus regularly as did her predecessor, Sec. Nielsen agreed. This letter is in follow-up to that commitment.
“At a time when many Latinos are living in fear and feeling targeted by this Administration, the Secretary should meet in person with members of the CHC to answer questions about troubling enforcement actions and the impact of recent DHS policy changes,” said Rep. Barragán.
The Members stated: “Based on our Caucus’ interest in these areas and given many concerning actions by DHS, it is imperative that we now meet with you to discuss recent policy changes that DHS has undertaken, including family separation, detainment of pregnant immigrants, the termination of the Temporary Protected Status program for hundreds of thousands of recipients and troubling immigration enforcement tactics. We hope to forge a constructive dialogue with you on these issues, which are of great importance and concern to our constituents and Caucus.”
In addition to Rep. Barragán, the following leaders of the CHC signed the letter: CHC Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham; CHC First Vice Chair Joaquin Castro; CHC Second Vice Chair Ruben Gallego; CHC Whip Pete Aguilar; and CHC Freshman Representative Adriano Espaillat.
Go here to read the entire letter.
###
For more information contact:
Katharine Burnham
Katharine.Burnham@mail.house.gov
(202) 594-7768