Woodburn, Oregón – Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) held a joint press conference in Woodburn, OR, to share the stories of victims of ICE overreach and to promote their recently introduced bill, the ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act. Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Salinas were joined by speakers Isa Peña of Innovation Law Lab, Nancy Lopez Flores from SEIU, and Ximena Van Dyke of Unidos Bridging Community. The group was also joined by Jess Montoya of Oregon For All and Reyna Lopez from PCUN.
Nancy Lopez Flores read a statement from Maria, a U.S. citizen and Rep. Salinas’ constituent who was a victim of ICE abuse.
El ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act would make the federal government civilly liable when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers violate one’s constitutional rights, thereby creating a cause of action against the federal government. Additionally, it mandates that any damages awarded in such cases be first drawn from funds from Republicans’ Una gran y hermosa ley de facturas, which handed more than $150 billion to ICE, CBP, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement.
“From Minnesota to Oregon, we’ve witnessed ICE and CBP abuse their power, incite violence, and violate our constitutional rights,” dijo el representante Salinas. “Earlier this month, federal officials tear gassed children, workers, and even dogs who were protesting at the ICE field office in Portland. Without accountability, there are no consequences. And without consequences, they will keep violating the Constitution. That’s why this bill is so important. If ICE or CBP officers violate someone’s constitutional rights, the victim can sue the federal government to hold them civilly liable. When we choose accountability, we can put an end to Trump’s abuse.”
“All Americans should be outraged that Trump’s lawless federal agents are trampling on the Constitution and terrorizing our communities,” dijo el senador Merkley. “ICE and CBP must face consequences if their agents wrongfully violate citizens’ rights to protest and free speech, search people’s homes without a warrant, or deny due process. Our ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act simply allows people to hold federal agents accountable when they violate the Constitution.”
Alongside Senator Merkley, Rep. Salinas has continued to speak out against ICE overreach. She has conducted oversight visits of the ICE field office in Portland, Oregon, and the ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington. Recently, Salinas and Merkley led Oregon’s Democratic congressional delegation in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons opposing any plans to open or expand ICE detention facilities in Oregon, including so-called “soft-sided” or repurposed facilities.
Full text of the ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act can be found by clicking aquí.
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