Burlington, MA – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after making an unannounced visit to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Burlington, Massachusetts:
“Today, I made an unannounced visit to the ICE facility in Burlington. Following the tragic news that Edwin Lopez-Cornejo passed away while in ICE custody, this visit was all the more imperative. Members of Congress have the awesome responsibility of exercising oversight of all Executive agencies, including ICE. The Burlington facility is designed to serve as a processing center, not a detention center. These visits are critical to ensuring individuals like those I saw being held today are not held beyond the standard processing timeframe and are treated humanely.
“What we have seen under this administration as it relates to immigration enforcement is a grave departure from the fundamental values that have defined our immigration system. Masked agents are operating as rogue actors: no search warrants, no identification, and no transparency or accountability. They have killed American citizens and are tearing families apart, going far beyond their originally stated intent of going after the ‘worst of the worst.’ Instead, they have targeted law-abiding citizens who work in our hospitals, our restaurants, and our construction sites, all of whom make meaningful contributions to our communities. Americans have had enough of this administration’s cruel immigration policies, which is why we must continue fighting to deliver much-needed reform and ensure this agency is held to account.”
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