Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA)

"U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined 64 House and Senate Democrats in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to reverse the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) alarming decision to fire immigration judges even as the immigration courts currently face a staggering backlog of immigration cases. In February, EOIR abruptly fired 20 immigration judges, removed all nine Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) judges appointed during the Biden Administration, and terminated four individuals in senior EOIR leadership positions, with indications they may remove even more judges."

Rep. Yassamin Ansari, Rep. Becca Balint, Rep. Sanford Bishop, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Rep. Sean Casten, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Rep. Lou Correa, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. Warren Davidson, Rep. Danny Davis, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, Rep. Chuy García, Rep. Dan Goldman, Rep. Jahana Hayes, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Jared Huffman, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Hank Johnson, Sen. Tim Kaine, Rep. Ro Khanna, Sen. Andy Kim, Sen. Angus King, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Rep. George Latimer, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Betty McCollum, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Grace Meng, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Patty Murray, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Rep. Deborah Ross, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, Rep. Tom Suozzi, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Rep. Jill Tokuda, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Maxine Waters, Sen. Peter Welch, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

"We salute the outstanding American servicemembers and DHS officials who are working tirelessly at Guantanamo Bay. Our troops in Guantanamo have a uniquely difficult, demanding job that requires great sacrifices by them and their families. We know that border security and immigration enforcement are critical to our national security, and we thank these servicemembers, ICE officers, and defense civilians for their professionalism and candor with us.

“However, after examining the migrant relocation activities at Guantanamo Bay, we are outraged by the scale and wastefulness of the Trump Administration’s misuse of our military. It is obvious that Guantanamo Bay is a likely illegal and certainly illogical location to detain immigrants. Its use is seemingly designed to undermine due process and evade legal scrutiny."

Sen. Angus King, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Gary Peters, Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen

Senators to Trump: “There is simply no basis for reinstating this cruel, ineffective, and costly practice, particularly when there are effective solutions that, unlike family detention, do not permanently damage children’s health and well-being”

Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Jon Ossoff, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Peter Welch, Sen. Ron Wyden

Today, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led 62 of their colleagues in the House and 23 of their colleagues in the Senate in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding the Trump Administration redesignate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, which the administration recently canceled on questionable legal authority

Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. Gabe Amo, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Don Beyer, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. André Carson, Rep. Greg Casar, Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Yvette Clarke, Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Rep. Danny Davis, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Maxwell Frost, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, Rep. Chuy García, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Dan Goldman, Rep. Jahana Hayes, Sen. Martin Heinrich, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Hank Johnson, Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Andy Kim, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. George Latimer, Rep. Summer Lee, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Rep. Seth Magaziner, Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Jennifer McClellan, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. LaMonica McIver, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Grace Meng, Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Rep. Seth Moulton, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Chellie Pingree, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Mike Quigley, Rep. Delia Ramirez, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Bobby Scott, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Rep. Tom Suozzi, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Rep. Shri Thanedar, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Lori Trahan, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Juan Vargas, Rep. Marc Veasey, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Sen. Peter Welch, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. Frederica Wilson

Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Peter Welch (D-VT) issued the following statement after President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, claiming wartime power to deport noncitizens without due process:

“Over the weekend, President Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport noncitizens without due process. This attempt to use an archaic wartime law—not used since World War II—forimmigration enforcement is yet another unlawful and brazen power grab.

Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Peter Welch

U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) called on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to convene an urgent hearing on the Trump Administration’s recent decision to detain immigrants without charges or convictions in federal prisons, including in California, after a whistleblower from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) raised the alarm on its negative impact on BOP employees in a statement shared with the Senators.  

Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff

Democratic legislators to Trump: “We call on you to rescind your Proclamation and work with Congress to pass much-needed, overdue bipartisan immigration reform that respects immigrants’ dignity and the rule of law”

Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Jamie Raskin

U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) led 30 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, demanding that the Trump Administration continue legal services for unaccompanied children caught up in the immigration system as required by law. Last month, the Trump Administration issued a stop work order to organizations that provide legal services for unaccompanied children. Later that week, following public pressure, the order was rescinded. In 2023, Senator Hirono reintroduced the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act, legislation to provide unaccompanied children with access to legal representation when they appear in proceedings before an immigration judge.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Martin Heinrich, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Andy Kim, Sen. Angus King, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Jon Ossoff, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Gary Peters, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Peter Welch, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Ron Wyden

"Today, Sens. Ossoff and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) led a group of 32 Senators demanding that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum continue legal services for unaccompanied children caught up in the immigration system as required by law."

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Martin Heinrich, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Andy Kim, Sen. Angus King, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Jon Ossoff, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Gary Peters, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Peter Welch, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Ron Wyden

"U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in pressing Attorney General Pam Bondi on her reallocation of resources from mission-critical Department of Justice (DOJ) projects to purported “immigration enforcement initiatives."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Peter Welch, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Senate Judiciary Democrats to Attorney General Bondi: “We write to object to the recent decision to use Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities to detain immigrants swept up in the Trump Administration’s mass deportation efforts and urge you to reconsider this plan”

Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff

“These actions are unprecedented, unlawful, and harmful to American national security, values, and interests. The United States has never sent anyone from the United States to be detained at Guantánamo before now,” wrote the Senators. “… There is no basis in U.S. immigration law for transferring noncitizens arrested inside the United States to a location outside of the United States for detention prior to or for the purposes of conducting removal proceedings.”

Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Chris Murphy, Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Peter Welch

"Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) led nine of her colleagues in introducing the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order attempting to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States. This bill would prevent any government funds from being used to carry out or enforce this directive, which violates the U.S. Constitution. Senator Rosen was one of the first Congressional leaders to come out forcefully against the President’s birthright citizenship Executive Order. Federal courts have temporarily blocked the order’s implementation, but the Trump Administration is expected to appeal."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Jacky Rosen, Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Peter Welch

"U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Vice Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, led 13 of their Democratic colleagues in demanding that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uphold the United States’ trust and treaty responsibility with Tribal nations and their citizens by ending wrongful searches and interrogations of Tribal members."

Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Martin Heinrich, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Angus King, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Tina Smith, Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Ron Wyden

"U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and 13 of her colleagues in introducing the Access to Counsel Act to ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can consult with an attorney, relative, or other relevant party to seek assistance if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more than an hour at a port of entry, including an airport. The bill was introduced in conjunction with the NO BAN Act, legislation to prevent another Muslim Ban."

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Alex Padilla

"Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, introduced the Access to Counsel Act to ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can consult with an attorney, relative, or other interested parties to seek assistance if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more than an hour at ports of entry, including airports. U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives."

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Sen. Alex Padilla

"U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in introducing the Access to Counsel Act to ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can consult with an attorney, relative, or other interested parties to seek assistance if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more than an hour at ports of entry, including airports. Padilla is the lead sponsor of this bill. U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives."

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff

"Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, along with Sen. Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Alex Padilla, Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately restore vital services for refugees already in the United States. The letter comes after the State Department abruptly halted services for refugees last week."

Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Jamie Raskin

“All Americans will feel the impacts of Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda, creating chaos and fear in communities across our country, while also driving up costs for businesses and consumers. We can all agree that we need a secure and orderly border, however these executive actions only further complicate that effort — and many of them violate the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. So make no mistake: it won’t be long before a policy of chaos costs the American people.”

Sen. Alex Padilla

“This bill puts a target on the backs of millions of people, including children, requiring mandatory detention of immigrants who are arrested even for minor, non-violent offenses — even if they are never charged or convicted. Good faith efforts to improve this legislation were rejected. As it stands, the bill would divert the focus and resources away from the detention and deportation of violent criminals, making us all less safe."

Sen. Alex Padilla

Lawmakers: “Our country needs comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform. Rather than fixing our broken immigration system, this legislation will further complicate it.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Alex Padilla

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, today filed two amendments to the Laken Riley Actto protect Dreamers, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients and individuals eligible for DACA.

Durbin’s first amendment would exempt Dreamers, including DACA recipients and individuals eligible for DACA, from the Laken Riley Act’s mandatory detention scheme. Joining Durbin on this amendment is Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Durbin’s second amendment is the Dream and Promise Act, which is bipartisan legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders. It has previously passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis, led by U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29). Joining Durbin on this amendment are Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Gary Peters, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Ron Wyden

"Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) hosted a press conference with Andrea Flores from FWD.us and Jose Cabrera, a TPS holder from El Salvador. The Senators called on President Joe Biden to act quickly to protect TPS (Temporary Protected Status) and DACA recipients before the end of his term."

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Sen. Alex Padilla

"As Senators who represent diverse states across our nation and who collectively represent
millions of immigrant families, we write to express our deep concern about the threat the
incoming administration poses to immigrants in our communities. Mass deportations would
jeopardize the safety and security of millions of mixed-status families, sow deep distrust and fear
in the communities we represent, and destabilize the U.S. economy. While we support commonsense steps to better secure our borders and improve border processing, we will continue to
oppose any policies that contradict our nation’s core values."

Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Sen. Alex Padilla

"Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, joined a hearing titled “How Mass Deportations Will Separate American Families, Harm Our Armed Forces, and Devastate Our Economy,” to deliver remarks and question witnesses on the dangers of the incoming Trump Administration’s mass deportation plans."

Sen. Alex Padilla

"Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) called on President Biden to take urgent actions to protect long-term immigrant communities before the end of his term.

Specifically, the Senators called on the Biden-Harris Administration to designate Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Ecuador for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as well as expedite processing times for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients seeking to renew their status. These proposed actions would be important steps to help protect immigrants from being forced back to dangerous conditions."

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Sen. Alex Padilla

"U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Van Hollen (both D-Md.), along with more than a dozen other senators, wrote to President Joe Biden requesting that his administration “provide temporary humanitarian protections for Guatemalan nationals living in the United States.” The letter asks for the president to designate Temporary Protected Status for Guatemala or authorize Deferred Enforced Departure for Guatemalan nationals."

Sen. Michael Bennet, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Ben Cardin, Sen. Chris Coons, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Martin Heinrich, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Sen. Mazie Hirono, Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Sen. Ed Markey, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Sen. Chris Murphy, Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Jack Reed, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Mark Warner

"Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, issued the following statement as oral arguments were heard in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the Texas v. United States case on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program:

“Dreamers are integral members of our communities and culture, working essential jobs, contributing billions to our economy, and keeping our families safe. They do all this despite not knowing what their future holds. Today is yet another reminder of the fear and uncertainty caused by these obstructive lawsuits."

Sen. Alex Padilla

"U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla today led six of their California Democratic Congressional Delegation colleagues in requesting a Congressional Status Conference before December 2024, when the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contract governing the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center and Golden State Annex is up for renewal. This follows years of reported abuse allegations and retaliatory behavior toward detainees at the facilities, including a formal civil liberties complaint, reports of denied access to attorneys, hunger strikes and subsequent facility transfers, and worker strikes."

Rep. Nanette Barragán, Rep. Lou Correa, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, Rep. Ted Lieu, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Katie Porter, Rep. Juan Vargas

"U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, today participated in the statutorily-required refugee consultation between the Biden-Harris Administration and House and Senate Judiciary Committee leadership. The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. is on track to welcome 100,000 arrivals this fiscal year—marking the highest number of resettled refugees since 1994. The Administration also announced its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 refugee admissions target of 125,000."

Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Alex Padilla