SOUTHERN BORDER - Congress reached a budget spending deal to fund the Federal government through September that includes more than $1.5 billion to ramp up border militarization and immigration enforcement.
The budget deal fails to invest in sorely needed oversight and accountability measures for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency that oversees the Border Patrol, continues the mass incarceration of immigrants, and funds the construction of new barriers that threaten sensitive wildlife habitats.
We know that Congress will be gearing up for budget discussions later this year. Border communities know best what keeps our region safe and vibrant - and will be ready to push back against senseless militarization and put an end to the Border Patrol's culture of violence and impunity that plagues our communities.
Christian Ramirez, Human Rights Director of Alliance San Diego and Director of the Southern Border Communities Coalition, stated the following:
"From the Pacific Coast to the Gulf of Mexico, border communities united and resisted the extreme and unjustified proposals from the White House to build walls and deploy agents into our communities. Today's budget spending slows the Trump administration's attempts to implement misguided policies in the borderlands. Our fight is far from over, today border communities are taking to the streets to continue to resist further attempts to militarize our communities. Our resolve is strong. We will hold CBP, the largest law-enforcement agency in the country, accountable. We urge Members of Congress to rein in the Border Patrol and end the culture of violence and impunity that has deteriorated the quality of life for border residents."
Vicki B. Gaubeca, Director of the ACLU-NM Regional Center for Border Rights and Co-chair of the Southern Border Communities Coalition, stated the following:
"Congress has once again shown its unwillingness to stand for the basic rights and dignity of 15 million people who call southwest border communities home. Our communities have already shouldered a heavy burden, and this proposal promises more of the same. We will not sit idly while this administration continues to militarize our communities. CBP must demonstrate a commitment to police our communities free of bias and without using excessive force; until they do, we won't trust them with more resources and neither should Congress."
About Southern Border Communities Coalition
The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC) brings together organizations from San Diego, California, to Brownsville, Texas, to ensure that border enforcement policies and practices are accountable and fair, respect human dignity and human rights, and prevent the loss of life in the region.
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