January 16, 2018

NHLA CALLS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ACTING ICE DIRECTOR THOMAS HOMAN
Homan’s Call for the Criminal Prosecution of Leaders of Sanctuary Jurisdictions Demonstrates a Reckless Disregard for Democratic Principles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 45 of the nation’s preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, calls for the removal of Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Thomas Homan and strongly opposes Homan’s nomination to fill the position on a permanent basis.

In an interview with FOX News, Homan stated that politicians who support sanctuary legislation should be held personally responsible and criminally charged. These statements are an unacceptable threat to publicly elected officials simply for supporting an opposing policy view. They have no place in the United States, where local officials are within their bounds to enact sanctuary legislation and are held accountable by voters, not extremist individuals using intimidation tactics on national television. Homan is unfit to serve in any capacity within the federal government.

“Any individual acting on behalf of the United States government should exhibit an awareness and appreciation for the rule of law and democratic principles,” said Hector Sanchez Barba, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. “Thomas Homan’s disdain for not only the immigrant community, but also the authority of local governments and public officials, should alarm all Americans. It is unconscionable that any federal agency be led by someone with such low regard for democracy; Homan needs to be removed immediately.”

"Thomas Homan's dangerous and deliberate disregard for the First Amendment rights of elected local and state leaders, together with his apparent willingness to pervert criminal law to prosecute those who justly disagree with his policy views render him unfit to serve in any government position," said Thomas A. Saenz, NHLA Vice Chair and MALDEF President and General Counsel. "Homan should be removed immediately."

“Homan attempts to demonize government officials who justifiably believe that providing sanctuary makes cities safer and, incredibly, he demands imprisonment of legislators for taking immigration policy positions with which he disagrees. Sanctuary cities make sense because undocumented immigrants, including many of our nation’s farmworkers, often are reluctant to come forward to report and help prosecute crimes for fear of deportation,” said Bruce Goldstein, President of Farmworker Justice. “Homan is entitled to his opinion but is not fit to serve,” he added.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
| Michael Torra | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 425-0582 |
| Brenda Arredondo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (915) 373-1483 |

ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA:
The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 45 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

NHLA MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS:
Alianza Americas | American G.I. Forum | ASPIRA Association | Avance Inc. | Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network | Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute | Farmworker Justice | GreenLatinos | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Inter-University Program for Latino Research | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | Latino Justice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund | Mi Familia Vota | National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Day Laborer Organizing Network | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina/o Psychological Association | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | Presente.org | SER Jobs for Progress National | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | UnidosUS | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States Hispanic Leadership Institute | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S.- Mexico Foundation | Voto Latino