FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: media@vera.org 

WASHINGTON, DC – Following President Trump’s State of the Union address, advocates for due process condemn the president’s continued use of anti-immigrant fearmongering and misleading claims to justify his administration’s attacks on people’s constitutional rights and the rule of law.

The world has witnessed a year of attacks on due process, with the militarization of immigration courts and the administration’s violent pursuit of mass deportation, leading to widespread family separation, prolonged detention, wrongful deportations, and numerous deaths. In response, people across the country are increasingly opposed to federal immigration operations, overwhelmingly concerned about threats to democracy, and supportive of people being given their fair day in court.  

Just a few months ago, the Trump administration secured an unprecedented $170 billion for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As Congress continues its negotiations over DHS funding, leaders of the Fairness to Freedom campaign for universal representation call on Congress to reject any additional funding to DHS and to instead invest in proven solutions, like legal representation, to uphold due process for all.

Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-32): “The President used the State of the Union to double down on fear, division, and the erosion of constitutional rights. Let me be clear, due process is not optional in the United States of America. It is a constitutional guarantee. Over the past year, we have witnessed an alarming escalation in the militarization of our immigration system, families being torn apart, people detained without fair hearings, and communities living in fear. That is not public safety, and it is a direct attack on our democracy and the rule of law. As Congress continues to consider DHS funding, I will continue fighting to reject funding that fuels mass deportation and instead support humane, proven solutions like legal representation to ensure every person receives fairness and due process."

Nicole Melaku, executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans: “The president bragged about his supposed accomplishments in making the country safer—but American communities know the truth. Our cities, neighborhoods, sacred spaces, and homes have been lawlessly attacked by the federal government. Throwing children, families, and parents into detention camps and denying them access to counsel before a judge is deeply harmful and violently unconstitutional. As the United States celebrates our 250th year, we know that our nation is only as strong as the state of our democracy. Congress must reject the president’s lawless agenda, listen to the American people, and uphold every person’s constitutional rights.”

Shayna Kessler, director of the Advancing Universal Representation initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice: “We are deeply disturbed by President Trump’s claims that his violent immigration crackdowns are advancing public safety. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Trump administration has abused its power by turning the legal immigration system into a cruel and lawless trap, broadly denying people due process and funneling them directly into deportation. As leaders of the Fairness to Freedom campaign for universal representation, we urge Congress to reject additional funding for DHS and Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda. Our communities need policies that recognize immigrants as neighbors, leaders, and part of the solution.”

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Fairness to Freedom: The Campaign for Universal Representation was launched by the National Partnership for New Americans and the Vera Institute of Justice in April 2022 with a coalition of more than 200 organizations and legal service providers. The campaign’s goal is to support the passage of the Fairness to Freedom Act to establish a federal right to representation for all immigrants facing deportation.