Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat in Opposition to Dangerous Immigration Rhetoric

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) expressed concern about the continuing dangerous rhetoric prevalent among extreme Republicans targeting immigrant communities:

"It is deeply concerning, but comes as no surprise that the first piece of legislation being put forth by the Republican majority in the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress is an immigration bill that does nothing to fix our broken immigration system while instead further promoting dangerous rhetoric that criminalizes immigrants and puts innocent families at risk," said Rep. Espaillat. "HR 29, utilizes a tragedy to create the conditions for President-elect Trump to target and detain immigrants across the United States through rolling back due process and mandating detention. This politically motivated bill will not prevent future tragedies, yet will instead make immigrant communities across our nation less safe.

"Republicans plan to pass a slew of these types of redundant bills that seek to criminalize actions that are already illegal as a way to drive fear of the immigrant community - once more, a dangerous precedent being promoted by the incoming Trump administration.

"I voted in opposition to today's bill and will continue my stance to uphold and defend protections for all who seek the opportunity of hope and freedom here in our nation."

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government's vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at [email protected]