Ramirez, Takano, Blumenthal lead 52 Members of Congress in Investigation into VA’s Plan to Create Database of Non-U.S. Citizens

Washington, DC -Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Ranking Member of the Veterans' Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39),Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, led 52 members of Congress in opening an investigation into VA's plans to create a database of all non-U.S. citizens employed by or affiliated with the VA. The members are demanding answers from the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins and U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem after a spokesperson for the agency confirmed in The Guardian's reportthat the data will be shared with immigration enforcement.

"The potential of VA data being used by DHS to advance the mass detention and deportation agenda of the Trump Administration will seed fear in noncitizens who perform duties in service to our nation's veterans. This database is yet another obvious attempt by the Trump Administration to stifle political dissent and suppress free speech through baseless threats to immigrants," wrote the lawmakers.

The letter follows a leaked memo revealing that the VA would share the collected data for immigration enforcement purposes. Lawmakers emphasized the damaging consequences the database could have on VA care and benefits.

"VA's approach comes at a time when nationwide healthcare provider shortages are limiting access to care for all Americans, including veterans. Further, VA's approach also risks serious diplomatic consequences for countries where veterans reside and receive VA care and benefits. Worst of all, the proposed data collection could lead to the unlawful imprisonment or deportation of veterans who served our country and continued their service at VA, but were denied U.S. citizenship following their military service," the lawmakers continued.

VA employs more than 450,000 people and thousands of contractors who provide critical services to veterans, including health care, rehabilitation, and financial services. The letter raises concerns that the database would lead to more illegal detention and deportation of veterans and those who are improving veterans' lives, to push the Trump Administration's harmful immigration policies.

"For the past year, the Trump Administration has shown a complete disregard for individuals' immigration statuses, including those of veterans; haphazardly and illegally detaining Dreamers, immigrants with valid work permits, visas, and even U.S. citizens. We are concerned the database of all non-U.S. citizens employed by or affiliated with VA will lead to more illegal detentions and deportations of individuals who dedicate themselves to improving veterans' lives," concluded the lawmakers.

The letter was signed by Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Donald Beyer, Julia Brownley, André Carson, Troy Carter, Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, Gilbert Cisneros, Herbert Conaway, Diana DeGette, Christopher Deluzio, Markn DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Veronica Escobar, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Al Green, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Henry Johnson, Timothy Kennedy, RajaKrishnamoorthi, Summer Lee, Ted Lieu, Sarah McBride, Morgan McGarvey, Kelly Morrison, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Frank Pallone, Nellie Pou, Jamie Raskin, Janice Schakowsky, Terri Sewell, Lateefah Simon, Adam Smith, Melanie Stansbury, Shri Thanedar, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, Norma Torres, Lauren Underwood, Juan Vargas, Nydia Velázquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Federica Wilson.

For the full letter, CLICK HERE.