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CONGRESSMEN ESPAILLAT AND CASTRO CALL UPON DHS SECRETARY JOHN KELLY TO ADDRESS TRUMP IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

March 28, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) issued the following statement addressing concerns of legal and civil rights violations during the implementation of President Trump's immigration enforcement efforts. In a joint letter to DHS Secretary John Kelly, Reps. Espaillat and Castro outline guidelines to ensure adequate oversight of DHS law enforcement personnel to prevent instances of racial profiling, violations to due process, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity or national origin.

"We have heard numerous accounts in communities around the country of racially targeted detentions by DHS officials, ICE and CBP agents in particular, and we want to ensure that these agents are held accountable and are acting legally within the scope of the agency," said Rep. Espaillat. "There are tremendous benefits to having ICE and CBP agents wear body cameras while on duty and we are calling upon Sec. Kelly to implement this technology as part of the Department's law enforcement activity to ensure the safety and accountability of both the officers and the public."

"As the Trump Administration implements its expanded immigration orders, we must ensure CBP and ICE agents operate in adherence with the law," said Rep. Castro. "At this time of heightened tension and confusion, the use of body cameras would help keep both officers and members of the public safe. In the past, I've secured additional federal funding for law enforcement to purchase the technology. Secretary Kelly should make it a priority for his agency to increase the use of body cameras because of the critical accountability they provide."

On Friday, March 17, Reps. Espaillat and Castro addressed the need for body cameras to be used by ICE and CBP agents during DHS Sec. Kelly's meeting with House Democrats and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, during which Sec. Kelly stated that he is open to the idea should funding for the body cameras be made available through the department.

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Media inquiries:

Candace Randle Person (Espaillat) at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov

Erin Hatch (Castro) at Erin.Hatch@mail.house.gov