LIRS Commends Senators Van Hollen and Cardin for Introducing Secure Act

Media Contact: Danielle Bernard| dbernard@lirs.org | 410-230-2888

Washington D.C.— In response to Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin introducing the Secure Act of 2019, LIRS President and CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, issued the following statement:

“Right now, there are more than 400,000 people in the U.S. living in uncertainty—at risk of being separated from their families in America, and sent back to a country they left years ago in pursuit of safety and security,” said Vignarajah. “They are here under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforcement Departure (DED), which can be revoked far too easily. The Secure Act seeks to provide them with a pathway to citizenship and permanent protection from deportation.”

“We cannot pretend to be pro-family if we promote policies that separate families,” continued Vignarajah. “Our faith calls us to protect those in need, to provide shelter, and to love our neighbor. And these families we are talking about are our neighbors. They are our coworkers. They are our children’s classmates and friends. To send them back is to uproot them from the lives they have built and the communities that have welcomed them. There is nothing pro-family about that.”

LIRS commends Senators Van Hollen and Cardin for introducing the Secure Act to provide permanent protections for TPS and DED holders.

Founded in 1939, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is one of the largest immigration and refugee resettlement agencies in the United States, and only one of two agencies called upon by the U.S. government to help reunite children with parents after family separations. LIRS is nationally recognized for its leadership working with and advocating for refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, immigrants in detention, families fractured by migration and other vulnerable populations. Through 80 years of service and advocacy, LIRS has helped over 500,000 migrants and refugees rebuild their lives in America.