Congressman Robert Garcia, Mayor Karen Bass, Oversight Democrats, LA Members of Congress, Hold Congressional Oversight Shadow Field Hearing on Federal Immigration Enforcement Abuses
LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Democratic Members of the House Oversight Committee, Los Angeles Members of Congress, local elected leaders and immigration advocates, and labor and faith leaders for a congressional field hearing in Los Angeles to examine the unlawful detention of U.S. citizens and civil rights abuses by federal immigration agents. The hearing featured firsthand testimonies from local elected officials and individuals who have been impacted by federal immigration enforcement actions, including U.S. citizens who were wrongfully detained by ICE, to fully assess the impact on the Southern California community. Photos of the hearing can be found here.
“Every person in our country has a right to due process, regardless of immigration status. It’s critical that the Oversight Committee document and hold accountable those that are defying the constitution, violating civil rights, and terrorizing families and communities,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “I am grateful for Mayor Karen Bass and those across the country who are fighting for justice and our values.”
“No community should be made to live in fear of unwarranted persecution,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “We will hold every federal agency accountable, and we will relentlessly defend the rights of every resident in Los Angeles—and across this nation. Reports that Angelenos, including U.S. citizens, were forcibly held, physically attacked, and deprived of their freedom without cause are not only outrageous—they are intolerable. This is more than an affront to Los Angeles; it is an attack on cities, communities, and people across the entire country. I am grateful for Congressman Garcia’s support, and I will remain unwavering—fearless in protecting our residents and upholding justice.”
The hearing included testimony from the following witnesses:
Lindsay Toczylowski, President and Co-Founder of Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef)
Angelica Salas, Executive Director of The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
David Huerta, President of SEIU California
Father Brendan Busse, Dolores Mission Church
Chanchanit (Chancee) Martorell, Founder and Executive Director of Thai Community Development Center (CDC)
Andrea Velez, Los Angeles resident and US Citizen detained by ICE
In October, Congressman Robert Garcia and Senator Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee Committee on Investigations, wrote to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding information and records from the agency following widespread reports of wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens by agents at the Department of Homeland Security. Reports document citizens being held for extended periods, being denied access to counsel, and other civil rights violations.
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