For Immediate Release
Contact: Media Contact, 202-459-0989
The following are quotes from co-chairs of the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday:
“The 250th commemoration of our independence is not simply ceremonial but a moment to reflect on our nation’s next 250 years, rooted in the American values of safety, security, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” said Chief Ruben Quesada of Swampscott, Massachusetts. “For law enforcement, developing trust with everyone in our communities, including immigrants, is a key part of keeping our communities safe.”
“Law enforcement officers understand that we can increase public safety through a functional and humane immigration system focused on security alongside human dignity,” said Sheriff Clarence Birkhead of Durham County, North Carolina. “A modernized immigration system strengthens our security by allowing law enforcement to target criminals, not whole communities.”
“Law enforcement leaders have sworn an oath to protect communities. Updated federal immigration pathways alleviate the pressure on local and state law enforcement agencies and allow them to build trust within the communities they protect,” said Sheriff Sean Casey of the city of Alexandria, Virginia. “Immigration enforcement alone isn’t a silver bullet. Advocating for smart immigration reform is a deeply patriotic stance rooted in safety and order.”
“To mark this historic milestone, we must pursue bipartisan immigration solutions that secure our border and communities and protect our heritage as a nation of immigrants,” said Sheriff David Hathaway of Santa Cruz County, Arizona. “This is the ultimate way to honor the generations who built America while securing our future for the next 250 years.”
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