Washington, D.C. – Following reports that the Trump Administration is ending protections against the deportation of military families whose loved ones are deployed, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and a group of his Senate colleagues in a letter demanding the administration reverse course immediately. The Trump Administration is reportedly planning to end the “Parole in Place” (PIP) program, which prevents immigrants who are spouses, parents, and children of active-duty servicemembers and veterans from being deported. In the letter, the senators emphasized how the deportation of military spouses and family members undermines military readiness and our national security.
“Through this program, servicemembers are able to fight for the United States overseas and not worry that their spouse, children, or parents will be deported while they are away,” the senators wrote in a letter to Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan and Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper. “Terminating PIP would not only cause personal hardship to our servicemen and women, but negatively impact them in combat. Withdrawing protections from military families is a direct threat to our military readiness and our national security.”
“At a time when our Armed Forces are fighting dangerous wars overseas, we must enact policies that support our men and women in combat, rather than repeal policies that cause unnecessary harm,” the letter continued. “Ending the program flies in the face of American values and signals that we do not value the contributions of military families. The Trump administration should provide favorable immigration solutions for military families, not break them up.”
In addition to Bennet and Duckworth, the letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
A copy of the letter is available HERE.