BOOKER. Mr. President, today, I introduced the Protect American
Families from Unnecessary Registration and Deportation Act of 2017, or
the Protect American Families Act. This critical bill would advance
civil and human rights by ensuring we protect American immigrants from
being wrongfully targeted by the Federal Government because of who they
are or how they worship. I thank Senators Elizabeth Warren, Brian
Schatz, Ed Markey, Patty Murray, Bernie Sanders, Patrick Leahy, Jeff
Merkley, Mazie Hirono, and Ron Wyden for joining me on this important
legislation. Enshrined in the Constitution are the ideas that all people are free
to practice the religion of their choice and that we will not
discriminate because of your faith or national origin. Creating a
Federal immigration program that requires people to register their
status with the Federal Government on the basis of their religion,
race, ethnicity, gender, age, nationality, national origin, or
citizenship is contrary to those values. Because the United States is
the world's beacon of democracy, we must lead by example and live the
values we preach. Yet, in troubling times we have not always stayed true to our values.
Keywords matched
immigration immigrants Deportation