U.S./Mexico Border Delegation Goes to Washington, D.C. to Demand Border Patrol Accountability
U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) join border delegation in press conference amid Senate introduction of bill demanding oversight of immigration enforcement agencies
Next Tuesday, a delegation of more than a dozen border leaders from the New Ellis Island Border Policy Working Group (NIBPWG) will hold a press conference in Washington, D.C. to demand greater accountability, transparency, and oversight of federal law enforcement agencies at the border, weeks after widespread rage over images of Border Patrol agents on horseback violently intimidating Black immigrants in Del Rio, Texas.
Amid the ongoing egregious abuse, the delegation is calling for the passage of H.R. 3557, the Homeland Security Improvement Act, first introduced by Veronica Escobar (D-TX) in 2019, and the Border Accountability Oversight & Community Engagement Act, set to be introduced the week of November 1, by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).
If passed. the legislation would enact critical overhauls to immigration enforcement at the U.S. border that would help prevent abuses and increase scrutiny of incidents such as those carried out in Del Rio, Texas and many other communities along the border. The bills include provisions border residents have long advocated for, such as: the creation of an idependent and neutral Border Oversight Panel, annual reviews of CBP training protocols, and body camera requirements. Convened by the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), delegation members will share personal stories of racial profiling, warrantless searches, wrongful termination, and abuse by federal officers at the border.
WHAT: Press conference led by the New Ellis Island Border Policy Group delegation demanding oversight and accountability of federal law enforcement at the border via the passage of the Homeland Security Improvement Act in the House and Border Accountability, Oversight & Community Engagement Act in the Sentate.
Speakers include (and available for comment/interviews)*:
– Fernando Garcia, Executive Director, Border Network for Human Rights (English & Spanish)
– Irma Cruz, Campaign Director, BNHR (Spanish)
– Daniel Diaz, Director of Organizing, La Unión del Pueblo Entero (English & Spanish)
– Shaw Drake, Staff Attorney/Policy Counsel – Border & Immigrants’ Rights, ACLU of Texas (English)
– Pastor Michael E. Grady, Prince of Peace Christian Fellowship (English)
– Ramona Casas, Community Organizer, ARISE Adelante (Spanish)
– Danitza G. James, Chief Policy and Goverment Affairs, Repatriate our Patriots (English)
– Juan Mancias, Tribal Chair, Comecrudo Tribe (English)
–Nadya Alvarez, Landowner, No Al Muro (English & Spanish)
–Norma Herrera, Coordinator, No Border Wall (English & Spanish)
–Rosy Avila, West Texas Coordinator, Border Network for Human Rights (Spanish)
* The above mentioned border residents and spokespeople are available for comment and interview. To book, please contact Fernanda Durand at (214) 402-0186 or fernanda@communicationsshop.us
WHO: Hosted by the New Ellis Island Border Policy Working Group (NEIBPWG), a project of the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), and featuring remarks from :
– U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
– U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
– Fernando Garcia, Executive Director, Border Network for Human Rights
– Irma Cruz, Campaign Director, Border Network for Human Rights (Testimony on abuses against border residents)
– Nayda Alvarez, Landowner in Rio Grand Valley, South Texas
– Juan Mancias, Tribal Chair, Comecrudo Tribe
– Daniel Diaz, Organizing Director, La Unión del Pueblo Unido (LUPE)
– Iliana Holguin, County Commissioner for El Paso Texas
WHEN: Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 10:30 AM ET/8:30 AM MST
WHERE: Senate Swamp on the U.S. Capitol Grounds
