The new law will help prevent deaths and identify human remains in remote border regions. SOUTHERN BORDER — Today, President Trump signed into law the Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act. The bipartisan humanitarian bill will help save lives in remote areas of the border and identify human remains to bring closure to families whose loved ones perished in these areas. The bill received overwhelming support in both chambers of Congress, demonstrating that lawmakers can come together across political differences to act on their shared humanity. Continue reading

For Immediate Release December 23, 2020 Media Contact:Yesenia Padilla [email protected] The two border agents were convicted in 2006 of assault and 4th amendment violations SOUTHERN BORDER — In a slew of unprecedented lame-duck pardons, President Trump issued pardons to Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents who were convicted in 2006 of shooting Osvaldo Aldrete-Davil and then attempting to cover up the shooting. Continue reading

For Immediate Release December 22, 2020 Media Contact:Yesenia Padilla [email protected] Biden team’s announcement heralds the end of harmful expulsions of migrants SOUTHERN BORDER — Today the Biden transition team announced their commitment to resume processing — in a COVID-safe way — of people seeking safety as soon as possible after President-Elect Joe Biden enters office in January. The news is a welcome change from the Trump administration’s practice of rapidly expelling people — including asylum seekers and children — under cruel initiatives such as the so-called Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP) and “metering.”   Continue reading

For Immediate Release December 21, 2020 Media Contact:Yesenia Padilla [email protected] Washington, D.C. - At a time when Americans are desperate for relief from the social and economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress is expected to vote tonight for a federal funding bill that shamefully fails to meet the needs of the communities and families who have suffered the most, and instead pours $23 billion into the Department of Homeland Security’s immigrant detention and deportation system. Continue reading

For Immediate Release December 21, 2020 Media Contact: Courtney Bourgoin [email protected] View as webpage Border Groups Call on Congress to Reject Funding for Border Wall Construction WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congress has included $1.375 billion in funding for border wall construction in this year's appropriations package. This request comes just days before President-elect Biden takes office. Biden has publicly mentioned several times his administration will not build another mile of border wall. Continue reading

The Bill Was Passed on International Migrants Day and Will Help Prevent Deaths and Identify Human Remains in Remote Border Regions. SOUTHERN BORDER — Tonight, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives sent a bipartisan, bicameral humanitarian bill, the Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains Act, to the president for his signature. The bill will help save lives in remote areas of the border and identify human remains to bring closure to families whose loved ones perished in these areas. The overwhelming support in both chambers demonstrates that lawmakers can come together across political differences to act on their shared humanity. Now it’s up to the president to do his part and sign the bill. Continue reading

SOUTHERN BORDER — Former Vice President Joe Biden has won the presidential election, beating Donald Trump in a record-breaking election turnout and winning critical battleground states. Joining the rest of the country in record numbers, border-state voters did their part to participate in the 2020 Presidential Election. From San Diego, CA to Brownsville, TX, southern border communities voted to ensure that our voices are heard and taken into account in the decisions that impact our region today and into the future.  Continue reading

Announcement comes as Trump looks to deploy the same border and immigration agents in the wake of the elections Continue reading

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Supreme Court today stated it will hear arguments in a challenge to the Trump administration’s diversion of $2.5 billion from military pay and pension funds for border wall construction that Congress explicitly denied. The order came in Sierra Club v. Trump, a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition. Continue reading

SOUTHERN BORDER — Today, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) in the Senate held a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Acting Secretary Chad Wolf to become Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Continue reading