Reid decries Obama immigration raids
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is pressing the Obama administration to call off a new round of reported immigration raids.
“I hope the administration reconsiders these raids,” Reid said in a statement Friday. “Instead of separating children from their parents, the administration should continue to address the violence and instability in the region that is forcing these families to leave.”
{mosads}Reuters reported Thursday that U.S. officials are planning two raids in May and June to deport immigrants in the country illegally who came from Central America.
Reid is the latest Democrat to slam the plans, which have prompted criticism from both Democratic White House hopefuls, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.
“These children and their families are fleeing extreme violence in Central America, and they should have a chance to seek relief,” Reid said.
Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, added that he was concerned by reports that the administration was restarting the raids.
“The United States has a moral obligation to set an example to the world in treating these refugees humanely,” he added. “Halt these raids until we can ensure that women and children have a fair day in court.”
Reid introduced legislation earlier this year to provide a lawyer for unaccompanied children and other “vulnerable” undocumented immigrants during removal proceedings.
Speaking at a Las Vegas press conference in January, Reid said the Obama administration should “just back off” plans for a string of immigration raids.
The administration has previously said the raids are being conducted under guidelines that prioritize deporting immigrants who entered the country illegally after Jan. 1, 2014.
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