Congresswoman Ramirez Slams Trump’s Efforts to Criminalize Neighbors Impacted by Homelessness, Substance Abuse

Washington, DC —  Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released a statement on President Trump’s new executive order “Ending Crime and Disorder on American Streets,” directing states to criminalize unhoused people and institutionalize people with mental health disabilities and substance use disorders.  The order would eliminate federal funding for evidence-based programs supporting families. Instead, it redirects federal funding to jurisdictions that criminalize substance use disorders or enforce laws targeting unhoused people.

“For 7 months, in policy after policy, the Trump regime has consolidated power by rewarding those who criminalize, profile, and target the most vulnerable people in our communities – from our immigrant neighbors to trans children and now unhoused people. Through every executive action, the Administration has sought to defund all those who stand against their inhumane, fascist agenda in order to weaken the resistance. They are told: either give up those who the administration deems undesirable or lose the resources for your city.

The newly issued executive order continues the Administration's pattern of taking away from cities like Chicago, states like Illinois, and organizations that prioritize our collective well-being and solidarity. Instead, it incentivizes and rewards the cities that submit to its authoritarian edicts and pursue violence against our neighbors. Punishing people who are unhoused won’t solve the homelessness crisis created by a lack of legislative action to make housing affordable and accessible. Turning to methods that involuntarily institutionalize people suffering from mental health crises won’t provide a path to recovery, health, and stability. Their EOs destroy lives and harm communities. 

As a former director of a social services organization for our unhoused neighbors, I know that if we want to address homelessness and the mental health crisis, we would invest in vital, comprehensive, wraparound services, expand affordable housing, and fully fund evidence-based programs, like harm reduction and housing first. Their agenda is clear, but so are our commitments. We are resolved to stand for our shared humanity. We must continue to resist and fight back with policies that reaffirm that everyone deserves dignity and support.”