ICYMI: Immigration Expert Discuss The Latest Developments in Immigration Policy and Politics

Access a recording of the virtual event HERE 

Access online version of the press release HERE

Washington, DC — Today, America’s Voice hosted a virtual press event as part of its “Beyond the Immigration Headlines” series, focusing on the latest developments in immigration policy and the growing consequences of mass deportation efforts. Experts discussed the economic and human impact of these policies, including labor shortages, rising consumer costs, and the strain on essential programs like Social Security and Medicare. The discussion also covered broader implications of proposed agreements between the IRS and DHS, the revocation of CHNV status, and recent detentions, including the abduction of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, highlighting the impact of these policies on communities nationwide.

Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice said: “The Trump administration’s recent mass deportation actions mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation. From the abduction of a Tufts student in broad daylight to the targeting of individuals with legal status, enforcement is increasingly about instilling fear rather than ensuring security. At the same time, mass deportations are deepening labor shortages, driving up consumer costs, and weakening essential programs like Social Security and Medicare. The economic and human costs are mounting, and it’s clear this reckless agenda is making our country less safe, less prosperous, and less true to its values.”

Karen Tumlin, Founder and Director, Justice Action Center said: “On January 20, amid dozens of executive orders, the Trump administration declared ‘categorical’ humanitarian parole unlawful. It froze these processes and later stopped processing any applications for work permits or other forms of status made by those here under humanitarian parole. Just last week, the Trump administration announced it would revoke humanitarian parole for all Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, stripping them of their permission to be here and their work authorization, as of April 24. Justice Action Center and Human Rights First are suing to stop these cruel actions. Our clients – and those like them – have done everything the government has asked of them, providing bank statements, conducting interviews, waiting for their visas, and more. All they ask is that the government hold up its end of the bargain. These power grabs may start with humanitarian parole, but as we have already seen, they will extend to all types of immigrants quickly.”

David Leopold, former President and General Counsel, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chair of the immigration practice at UB Greensfelder LLC and America’s Voice legal advisor said: “The use of the Alien Enemies Act and a Cold War era deportation law to arrest and remove noncitizens circumvents the due process protections of the law. The erosion of due process offends core American values and, if left unchecked, threatens the due process rights not only of immigrants, but of all Americans.”

Michael Ettlinger, Senior Fellow at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy said: “Tapping into IRS databases to target the millions of tax paying unauthorized immigrants who file tax returns shows, as clearly as can possibly be shown, that Trump isn’t deporting people to reduce crime. These immigrants, despite the risks, despite trying to avoid the attention of the government as much as they can, are abiding by the law, and fulfilling their civic duty, by paying taxes and filing tax returns. These millions of taxpayers are the least likely to be engaging in criminal behavior. Targeting them puts the lie to any claim that Trump and his underlings are focused on deporting criminals.”

• Access a recording of today’s virtual event HERE