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President Trump has taken our immigration system to its most punitive extreme, but his racist policies build on a broken system and an enforcement infrastructure already primed for abuse. Today, I'm announcing my plan to reform our immigration system. medium.com/@teamwarren/a-…
Immigrants are our neighbors, our colleagues, and our friends—and every bit as much a part of America as those who were born in the United States. Our immigration system must be fair, humane, and reflect our values. Our neighbors shouldn’t have to live in fear.
My plan starts with eliminating abusive enforcement. Trump has weaponized deportation in ways that are costly, ineffective, and designed to maximize pain. As president, I will end this cruelty.
Entering the country without authorization has always been a violation of civil immigration law, but thanks to a former segregationist senator, it’s also a criminal violation. This is totally unnecessary for border security, and we should repeal the criminal prohibition.
Our immigration agencies should protect Americans and uphold the rule of law, not pursue punitive anti-immigrant policies that target communities of color. As president, I'll reshape CBP and ICE from top to bottom.
And my administration will demand accountability for the abuse committed under the Trump administration. I'll set up a DOJ task force to investigate accusations of serious violations and give it independent authority to pursue any criminal allegations.
Next, I’ll significantly reduce immigration detention. Separating families and detaining the vulnerable is expensive, inhumane, and has no proven deterrent effect. I’ll end unnecessary detention, detaining only those who pose a safety risk, and stop for-profit detention entirely.
To prevent future abuses of our immigration system, my administration will establish independent immigration courts. We'll eliminate expedited removal and provide due process for immigrants facing deportation, guaranteeing hearings and providing access to counsel.
Our laws and our values compel us to help those fleeing violence and oppression. As president, I’ll reject exclusionary policies based on race, religion and nationality, and I’ll reverse Trump’s bigoted Muslim Ban on my first day in office.
I’ll also work to expand legal immigration and take executive action to provide a measure of protection for our Dreamers and those who have built careers and families here, while pursuing a legislative solution that provides a fair and achievable path to citizenship.
But we cannot fully address migration until we address its root causes—poverty, climate change, violence and injustice. As president, I’ll restore and increase aid and step up efforts to address transnational crime. And my administration will protect those seeking refuge here.
I’ll work with Congress to pass broad-reaching reform, but I’m also prepared to move forward with executive action if they refuse to act. We need big, structural change: A fair immigration system that preserves our security, grows our economy, and reflects our values.
