ACLU Comment on Homeland Security Spending Bill

WASHINGTON — Congress unveiled legislation today to fund the federal government for the next nine months.

Madhuri Grewal, American Civil Liberties Union federal immigration policy counsel, had the following response:

“We’re deeply disappointed that congressional appropriators and leadership failed to hold the line during these negotiations. This spending bill will fuel Trump’s cruel detention and deportation force and grant Customs and Border Protection an additional $1.375 billion dollars for the border wall.

“The ACLU will continue the fight alongside our partners until no more taxpayer dollars are spent separating families, banning Muslims and asylum-seekers, and caging immigrants. This bill is a far cry from what our communities deserve from our elected officials. Make no mistake, constituents will make their voices heard in town halls, in the streets, and at the ballot box.”

The Constitution gives Congress the exclusive power to appropriate funds, but it’s also up to Congress to assert its role. With this budget deal, Congress fails to forcefully assert itself against the Trump administration’s efforts to grab funds for the president’s border wall obsession and continue expanding its attacks on immigrant communities.

An ACLU video on DHS funding is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYvxrvD-xgc&feature=youtu.be