Duckworth Hosts Immigrant & Refugee Rights Roundtable with Congressman García in Chicago

[CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable with immigration rights advocates in Chicago to identify areas where additional federal support is needed. Duckworth was joined by U.S. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-4), Illinois State Senator Omar Aquino (IL-SD-2), Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy (IL-HD-14), Cook County Board Commissioner Alma Anaya and leaders from local organizations working to help immigrants and refugees. Representatives from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, National Immigrant Justice Center, Centro Romero, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Jewish United Fund, HANA Center, Office of Refugee Resettlement at the Illinois Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services and PASO West Suburban Action Project joined the officials to share their work on immigration in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Photos from today’s event are available here.

“I know how heartbreaking the past week has been for this community,” said Senator Duckworth. “This Administration’s immigration agenda isn’t random, it’s systematically cruel. From deporting Veterans to ripping babies from their mothers at the border, we need to work together to stop Trump from traumatizing any more families and I’m proud to join Congressman García and these hardworking immigrant rights advocates here at ICIRR today to ensure we’re all working together to protect immigrants and refugees seeking a better life.”

“Last weekend, I canvassed neighborhoods in my district to help inform residents of their rights,” said Rep. García. “My office is working closely with local elected officials and community organizations to ensure that immigrants have the information they need to prepare for potential ICE raids. Our discussions with grassroots organizations are crucial to keep us updated on what they are experiencing. Everyone in the U.S. has constitutional rights and protections and we will stand up to protect their rights.”

Earlier this year, Duckworth introduced several bills to protect and support Veteransand servicemembers – the Veterans Visa and Protection Act, HOPE Act and I-VETS Act – to prohibit the deportation of Veterans who are not violent offenders, give legal permanent residents a path to citizenship through military service and strengthen VA healthcare services for Veterans. Duckworth also co-sponsored theEnd Mass Deportations Act to rescind Donald Trump’s Executive Order on Interior Enforcement, which prioritized the deportation of a majority of undocumented immigrants living in and contributing to U.S. communities.

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