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Miami, US (EFE).- A coalition of eight Latino civil rights organizations sent a letter to Congress on Thursday pleading for protection of migrant families and ensuring that migration laws respect the Constitution and prevent abuses by immigration agents.

“The civil rights community is deeply alarmed and concerned that the Trump administration’s escalation of mass deportations is separating families, weakening the economy, and undermining the fundamental rights of everyone in this country,” said UnidosUS president Janet Murguía in the letter.

The letter was addressed to the House Committee on Appropriations and Senate Committee on Appropriations just days before the US government funding law was set to expire on Sep. 30, which could lead to a partial government shutdown.

Therefore, the coalition urged both committees to request the adoption of crucial amendments to reestablish accountability in migration law enforcement in the upcoming Department of Homeland Securityfunding bills.

The DHS is responsible for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is behind the raids against migrants across the country.

The letter mentioned several suggested amendments, including protecting citizens from abuse, preventing the deportation of children, and establishing specific protections for “sensitive places,” such as schools, places of worship, and medical centers.

The letter also requested prohibiting federal agents from wearing masks, requiring them to carry body cameras with publicly accessible images, prohibiting the use of administrative data for raids, strengthening transparency in ICE recruitment agreements, and guaranteeing members of Congress access to migrant detention centers.

The coalition stated that indiscriminate mass deportations have a profound impact on US society. These deportations separate families, harm small businesses whose workers are arrested, and erode trust between migrants and local authorities.

“Anti-Latino rhetoric has been weaponized to create dangerous policies that attack our communities, disenfranchise us, and undermine the very essence of our democracy,” the coalition said.

In addition to UnidosUS, the coalition comprises the following organizations: The Accountability Movement, the Hispanic Federation, the Latino Victory Project, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Mi Familia Vota, and the United Farm Workers. EFE

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