« Back to Newsroom

For Immediate Release

 |
UWD Staff

Secretary Mayorkas, We Demand You Cancel ICE’s Trump-era ‘Veto Power’ Agreement

The Biden administration has until February 17 to cancel an agreement that would give undo power to ICE’s Union
Contact: José Alonso Muñoz | jose@unitedwedream.org | 202.810.0746

Washington, D.C. – On the final day of the Trump administration, vehement racist and former acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli wrongfully signed an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) union giving the Trump-endorsing union, approval power on policy changes among other unprecedented benefits. This agreement essentially gives the ICE union veto power over decisions made by DHS. The Department has until February 17 to dissolve the agreement.

United We Dream and Detention Watch Network started a petition calling on DHS Secretary Mayorkas to reject and cancel this Trump-era agreement and deny ICE the veto power to carry out their atrocities as they wish.  

Cynthia Garcia, National Campaign Manager for Community Protection of United We Dream, said:

“Since the Biden administration has taken office, ICE has doubled down on the cruelty of deportations. ICE has deported hundreds of Black immigrants to countries including Cameroon, Haiti and Jamaica.This includes over two dozen children being deported to Haiti. Giving ICE any more power by allowing this last minute agreement with their union stand would only further harm immigrants. DHS Secretary Mayorkas, who unlike former Acting Deputy Secretary Cuccinelli was never confirmed, has the power to end this last minute power grab by ICE.  

Let’s stop pretending that ICE is acting outside of the bounds of what they were designed to do. It’s insulting to pretend ICE is an agency that can be reformed, or an agency that is just needing a new direction to be reigned in. ICE is operating as it was intended to, and that’s why we believe ICE should be abolished. If the Biden administration is serious about undoing the cruelty of the Trump Administration and protecting our immigrant communities, they must reject this agreement and also move swiftly to stop deportations. In addition to working with Congress to pass permanent protections for immigrants that help people without hurting people, like The Dream and Promise Act, the Farm Workforce Modernization, and other legislation to protection the 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S.” 

###

United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation; made up of a multi-racial and multi-ethnic network of 1.2 million members, over 100 local groups, and a reach of over 5 million per month. UWD’s vision is to push for just policies that allow everyone to thrive regardless of immigration status. United We Dream is fighting for a multi-racial democracy that works for everyone by building a movement of young people who organize and advocate for the dignity and justice of immigrants and communities of color. You can find more at www.unitedwedream.org.

Topic(s):Defund HateUndeniable

This March marks 21 years of ICE CBP & DHS terrorizing our immigrant communities.

Ever since their creation, ICE and CBP have targeted, detained, abused and deported immigrants while separating loved ones and tearing apart communities. Donate 21 dollars to help us fight back against the 21 years of terror.