Congressional Oversight Committee Discusses Administration Deportation Policy for Critically Ill Children and Adults

ANCOR is sharing this article by Politico Pulse as an update on this previous article. We are following this deferred action policy because of its implications for immigrants with disabilities who require critical supports.

As written by Politico Pulse:

“House Oversight panel splits on deportation policy over critically ill kids. The Trump administration in August quietly revised an immigration policy that allowed hundreds of undocumented immigrants — many of whom were children with conditions like cancer or muscular dystrophy — to stay in the United States to receive care. The patients instead received notices telling them they had 33 days to leave the country or be deported, and several shared their stories in emotional testimony on Wednesday. See video.

While the policy change is now on hold after media attention, House Democrats blasted the Trump administration for pursuing the plan. ‘There is no excuse for the recklessness displayed by our government in the whole affair,’ said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who chaired the Oversight subcommittee hearing.

— One prominent GOP member signaled he’d be open to a compromise: ‘You don’t have a compassionate bone in your body if you’re not looking at this and saying, ‘We’ve got to address this,’’ said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), the leader of the House Freedom Caucus.

— Pediatrician Fiona Danaher testified the plan would be an effective ‘death sentence’ given the stress of deportation and limited care options in nations like Honduras.”