WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the administration taking several actions to prioritize immigration enforcement, recent announcements threaten to have a negative impact on due process.
These include sweeping staffing cuts that will undermine the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) and DHS ombudsman offices that oversee immigration detention and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as well as a funding halt to a program that provides legal representation to tens of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children (UAC).
Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum released the following quote:
“The Forum and its faith, law enforcement, national security and business leader partners have always been committed to immigration policies that support the rule of law and protect due process. The CRCL and ombudsman offices play an important role in identifying problems that safeguard the rights of those engaged in immigration proceedings, while fulfilling the Department’s mission and ensuring legal compliance. The Forum is concerned that weakening the offices through large-scale staffing cuts will lead to a less orderly and effective immigration system.
“The Forum is also concerned about the administration’s decision to halt funding for unaccompanied children legal services, which jeopardizes due process for a vulnerable migrant population that is unable to navigate the system. Unless the administration reconsiders this decision, thousands of young children will now be left to fend for themselves in immigration court.
“Recent measures to speed up legal processes, such as expanded expedited removal and summary adjudication, also risk undermining due process rights. This could affect individuals – including U.S. citizens – who are wrongly arrested, detained, or placed in removal proceedings, leaving them unable to contest these decisions.
“There is no question that Americans support the removal of violent criminals who threaten public safety. The administration should prioritize these removals, and due process should be protected to allow the system to separate out those who would do us harm from those who pose no threat.
“In a time of increasing immigration enforcement efforts, proper oversight of DHS functions, legal representation of children, and basic due process protections remain essential, protecting the rights of immigrants and citizens alike and ensuring our nation maintains an immigration system that allows all Americans to thrive.”