ATLANTA– Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies (CRSA) are speaking out about the federal law enforcement raids that occurred in metro Atlanta this weekend, calling the arrests “inhumane.” Some of the arrests occurred in Congressman Johnson’s district. CRSA brings together 27 local refugee-and immigrant-serving organizations.
The raids, part of President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, resulted in nearly 1,000 arrests nationwide this past weekend. A series of those arrests were made in Atlanta, Cartersville and Savannah. Federal officials say the arrests are being made to preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities. But Johnson and other say that the federal agents are not only targeting criminals and gang members but people who are law-abiding and don’t pose a threat to the community and have families here.
Congressman Johnson and the Coalition of Refugee Services Agencies issued the following joint statement.
“Yesterday, federal law enforcement descended upon metro Atlanta, tearing families apart. This is not who we are. The United States was built by immigrants and for immigrants. While we must work to ensure public safety, targeting hardworking, productive members of our community is unjust, un-American, and deeply troubling.
“Weaponizing fear to intimidate immigrant communities hurts all of us. Suspending the refugee program and freezing funding for refugees already here will adversely affect Clarkston, the center of our resettlement efforts. This is a grave mistake. Refugees enrich our communities, foster diversity, and create jobs.
“We want to make this clear: every person in this country—regardless of immigration status—is entitled to due process and the rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. As a former criminal defense attorney and judge, Congressman Hank Johnson, along with the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies, is committed to ensuring that Georgians understand and exercise those rights.
“Visit HankJohnson.house.gov/KnowYourRights and CRSAGeorgia.com/Resourcesfor more information. Together, we will stand against these inhumane actions and fight for a just and compassionate system that respects the dignity of every individual.”
Post Views: 417
