Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bassand the Democratic representative of Long Beach, Robert García, asked this Monday a congressional investigation into the detentions and alleged abuse of American citizens by federal agents without court orders.
Bass, accompanied by García and a group of municipal workers and immigrant rights activists, declared that is concerned that immigration raids still underway are no longer getting the attention they require.
“What is happening with undocumented immigrants is also happening with American citizens, meaning this can happen to anyone, all of us, at any time“Bass said.
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The mayor criticized widespread immigration tactics by federal immigration agencies.
In addition to Bass, Democratic leaders from the greater Los Angeles area They denounced the application of federal immigration laws since June 6when operations by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) began.
Officials asked community members to keep a record of the activities of ICE agents and upload the videos to a new ICE tracking site that is planned to open in the coming weeks.
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García, who is ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, claimed that American citizens are stopped on the streets by masked men and thrown into holding cells without access to lawyers.
“No one, regardless of background or appearance, should live with the fear of being imprisoned by your own government because of your race or appearance“said García.
Bass and García mentioned that there is evidence that about 170 US citizens were arrested by federal agents.
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“This is not the America we know and love. “Every person in this country has rights, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must stop trampling on our civil liberties,” Garcia said.
“Their actions are unconstitutional, unacceptable and completely un-American, and we will not give up the fight until this administration is held accountable“added the member of the House of Representatives.
According to the Trump administration, federal laws are applied to detain immigrants with criminal records to deport them from the country, and accusations that those arrested are mistreated or held in substandard facilities are denied while they remain in custody.
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Regarding the investigation, García assured that Democrats plan to hold a field hearing in Congress in Los Angeles so that people affected by ICE raids can present their testimonies.
For now, A possible date has not been established to carry out said hearing.
Keep reading:
· Childminders: Affected by fires and raids
· Legal protection in California for children affected by the deportation of their parents
· ICE detains father of US sailor at Home Depot in Orange