HYATTSVILLE, Md. – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) this week was joined by members of the Latino community and immigration policy stakeholders like CASA de Maryland who are worried about the Trump administration’s policies toward nonviolent, undocumented immigrants. The senator heard directly from community members who live with the constant fear that they or their relatives may be deported at any time. 

“This fear is real and whole swaths of our residents are living with this anxiety daily,” said CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres.

“Enlisting local police to carry out federal immigration law enforcement and raids to deport long-time residents, instead of focusing on violent criminals and repeat offenders, will further strain the relationship between our police and local communities,” said Senator Cardin. “These actions will invite widespread and harmful racial and discriminatory profiling and instill fear throughout communities across America. Arbitrarily cutting off federal funds to state and local law enforcement agencies will make our communities less safe.”

“Turning away legitimate asylum seekers at the border, and requiring mandatory detention of families and children, will do nothing to make America safer,” Senator Cardin added. “Such cruel actions will inevitably bring harm and potentially death to survivors of violence and torture, including many women and children, while undermining America’s values and damaging our relationships with our allies.