Hispanic Caucus presses Homeland Security chief on immigration tactics
WASHINGTON — Latino Democrats pressed Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Tuesday about Trump administration immigration policies and deportations.
Kelly met with the 30-member Hispanic Caucus on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers voiced their concerns about immigration enforcement and protecting those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows children and youth brought into this country illegally to stay.
Rep. Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev., said there are 13,000 Nevada residents who are eligible for the DACA program.
“They are living in fear of deportation every day — eroding their trust in law enforcement,” Kihuen said following the meeting. “This isn’t the America I know and love.”
Trump issued executive orders to ramp up immigration enforcement and strengthen border security. The Hispanic Caucus has criticized federal law enforcement tactics, and has been in talks with Kelly about federal procedures.
Kihuen said it is important that federal law enforcement agencies “continue their discussion with us in order to guarantee the protection of vulnerable communities and prevent family separation.”
Contact Gary Martin at gmartin@reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7390. Follow @garymartindc on Twitter.