Congresswoman Ramirez Statement on Local Councilmembers Dangerous Efforts to Profile Immigrant, Black, Brown Communities

Chicago, IL — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), the Vice Ranking Member of the 118th Homeland Security Committee, released the following statement condemning the unconstitutional, unAmerican, and dangerous local efforts to erode the right to due process, profile communities of color, and fuel extremists’ anti-immigrant hate in Chicago. The push by local Councilmembers comes as the federal government considers H.R. 29, legislation that allows for the detention and deportation of any immigrant simply accused of a crime. Ramirez voted NO on the legislation. 

“We must oppose any dangerous legislation that undermines the very foundations of our civil liberties and constitutional right to due process because of the fearmongering of extremists in our government. We must condemn these ordinances for what they are: the expansion of the police state, the erosion of our civil rights, and the continuation of a painful history of racial profiling and persecution of communities of color… all hidden behind the pretext of community safety. We cannot surrender to the idea that in order to make our communities safe, we have to put our neighbors in danger. 

Any elected official who wants to make an impact on public safety should be advancing legislation to invest in violence prevention and community interventions that address the root causes of violence, not demonizing and scapegoating immigrants. 

Our security, safety, and civil liberties are all interconnected. If we let fear and hate divide us, we will hand extremists our families, communities, rights, and democracy.”