Veasey Statement on President Trump’s Anti-Immigration Executive Actions

Dallas / Fort Worth, TX - Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement after President Trump signed two executive orders that instruct the Department of Homeland Security to begin constructing a wall along the southern border of the United States and mandate local law enforcement officials to carry out federal immigration responsibilities:

"The announcement of President Trump's border wall makes it clear that he is willing to place the cost of one of his signature campaign promises on the backs of American taxpayers. Despite his claims that he will have the Mexican government reimburse the United States, I remain skeptical that he can keep that end of the bargain. A border wall does not address the issue of the undocumented immigrants who are already here and instead sends an ominous message about our country's values. The wall's multi-billion dollar price tag could be better spent investing in education, improving our infrastructure, and supporting crucial programs such as Medicare and Social Security.

President Trump's decision to end ‘sanctuary city' policies and re-instate the Department of Homeland Security's ‘Secure Communities' program is putting into place the massive deportation efforts that the immigrant community has feared since he won the presidency. Not only will these actions push undocumented immigrants back into the shadows, but they will also undermine local law enforcement's ability to build trust in their communities and fully carry out their local and state responsibilities.

For years, House Democrats have tried to work with House Republicans to permanently fix our broken immigration system in a way that keeps families together, provides security for our nation, and boosts our economy. President Trump's latest executive actions undercut these goals and I will keep fighting for all the immigrants that keep the DFW Metroplex and our country thriving."