What’s New?
This week, the President signed a series of Executive Orders. Among the orders issued, one directs the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to issue a list of jurisdictions considered “sanctuary cities” that could face federal funding cuts.
Another reinforces English proficiency for commercial truck drivers. LSSNCA CEO Kristyn Peck said, such policies “do nothing but exclude essential workers, disrupt industries, and fracture communities.”
Meanwhile, in Congress, the House committees began marking-up the budget reconciliation package - a process that allows the majority party to pass budget-related legislation with a simple majority in both chambers. This package could have a significant impact on refugees, immigrants, and our community, including funding cuts to essential healthcare and food programs, while increasing funding for enforcement and removals.
Read the American Immigration Council’s analysis of the Homeland Security and Judiciary bills, which fund Homeland Security agencies, the State Department, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
What Else?
A federal judge has once again ordered the administration to restore funding for legal representation for unaccompanied children in immigration court (CLSEPA v. HHS). This funding was cut off in March, impacting thousands of children, including kids in LSSNCA’s care.
However, the House Judiciary bill mentioned above would eliminate funding for legal representation for children in the reconciliation package.
In other news, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments on the administration’s efforts to end birthright citizenship on May 15 (State of New Jersey v. Trump).
The 14th Amendment of the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship, which grants citizenship to individuals born in the country. However, the question for the justices is not whether the policy is constitutional, but whether the lower courts could issue a nationwide injunction to block the administration's efforts.
What You Can Do:
Here are three easy action items to support neighbors and the community:
- Advocate. Use this click-to-email tool from RCUSA to urge Congress to support refugees and humanitarian protections.
- Donate. Support LSSNCA’s services for new neighbors.
- Learn More. Discover how LSSNCA serves unaccompanied children.
