Immigration

Rep. Chu Questions ICE Director Saldaña on Transparency and Immigration Enforcement

September 22, 2016

Washington, DC – Today, Sarah Saldaña, Director of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), testified before the House Judiciary Committee to answer oversight questions on immigration enforcement. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), a member of the committee, asked Director Saldana about the agency’s policies on questioning immigrants about their status during labor disputes and why changes to that policy have not been made public. Rep. Chu released the following statement:

Issues:Immigration

Rep. Chu and Other Members of Congress Applaud Announcement of DHS Review of Private Detention Centers

August 30, 2016

Press Release

PASADENA, CA – Today, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-27), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-04), John Conyers, Jr. (MI-13), Jared Polis (CO-02), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), and Xavier Becerra (CA-34) issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson that the Department will review its use of private contractors to operate immigration detention centers.

Issues:ImmigrationCrime and Safety

Rep. Chu Disappointed By Decision to Block President’s Immigration Action

June 23, 2016

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – This morning, the Supreme Court released a 4-4 decision in U.S. v. Texas, the legal challenge to President Obama’s Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The tie ruling means that an earlier injunction by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is upheld. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), who signed an amicus brief in support of the President’s actions and worked with the Administration to push for the program, released the following statement:

Issues:Immigration

Rep. Chu Celebrates Fourth Anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program

June 15, 2016

Press Release

Today marks the fourth anniversary of President Obama’s announcement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA allows undocumented immigrants who were brought to this country as children to temporarily stay and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

Issues:Immigration

Rep. Chu Opposes Xenophobic Language in Legislative Appropriations Bill

June 10, 2016

Press Release

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5325, the Fiscal Year 2017 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. This bill appropriates $1.19 billion for the operations of the House of Representatives, as well as $2.29 billion for other legislative branch agencies and programs affiliated with the House, like the Capitol Police, the Library of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and the Government Printing Office. The bill also includes report language that seeks to force the Library of Congress to continue using the term “illegal aliens.” This provision is in response to the Library’s March 2016 decision to replace this term with the words “noncitizens” and “unauthorized immigration” after a lengthy review process determined “alien” to be pejorative and recommend it’s use be discontinued. Due to the inclusion of this provision, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) voted against the bill. She released the following statement:

Issues:Immigration

Republicans Block Rep. Chu Amendment to Protect Domestic Violence Victims

May 25, 2016

Press Release

Today, the House Judiciary Committee held a markup of H.R. 5203, the “Visa Integrity and Security Act of 2016.” The bill adds new restrictions and burdens on those visa applicants and asylum seekers, including DNA testing at the expense of the applicant and social media background checks. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) introduced an amendment that would create an exemption from the social media background check for applicants fleeing domestic violence. The amendment failed 14-8 along party lines.

Issues:ImmigrationWomen's Rights

Fight brews over forcing library to use ‘illegal alien’

May 16, 2016

In The News

The Hill

“Dated and dehumanizing terms such as ‘illegal alien’ and ‘alien’ have taken on a highly negative connotation and perpetuate the denigration of immigrant communities,” Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) wrote in the letter on Monday.

Issues:ImmigrationMy Caucuses

Rep. Chu Denounces Planned Immigrant Deportation Raids

May 12, 2016

Press Release

Today, Reuters reported the Obama Administration intends to launch a nationwide 30-day “surge” of new immigration deportation raids targeting hundreds of families and young adults through the months of May and June. In January, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) condemned similar raids that resulted in the deportation of 121 individuals, mainly women and children from Central America.

Issues:Immigration

Latino Lawmakers Defend Obama’s Executive Action With Their Stories

April 13, 2016

In The News

NBC News

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., said 11 percent, about 1 million, of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. are not here legally and about 400,000 would benefit from the president's executive action. "This decision will affect millions of aspiring Americans who have already put down deep roots in our communities and contributed to our economy," said Chu, the daughter of Chinese immigrants.

Issues:ImmigrationMy Caucuses

New campaign encourages Asian American immigrants to apply for citizenship

April 7, 2016

In The News

Asian Journal

At the announcement of the campaign, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) cited that among benefits of becoming citizens include that many educational scholarships are available only to citizens, and that permanent residents only receive half of the social security benefits received by citizens. "There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by becoming a US citizen. You can protect yourself, protect your family, have a better life, and you can vote. What better thing can there be?" Chu said.

Issues:ImmigrationMy Caucuses