As Trump’s administration continues its racist crusade against immigrants, we must remember to protect those in our communities with criminal records.

ICE has made a concerted effort to target immigrants and refugees with previous criminal records based on the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996. This law dramatically increased the types of criminal offenses that would make non-citizens deportable – and applied this new standard retroactively.

Apparently, serving out one’s sentence is no longer enough to pay your debt to society. Even nonviolent crimes can put immigrants at being removed from our society altogether.  

Immigrants who have served their time deserve to live free from the threat of deportation.  

Reintegrating back into society after incarceration is challenging enough as an immigrant. They must learn to live in their communities facing stigma, employment discrimination, and the barriers that come with a record.

In many cases the immigrants’ records came from acts they committed as minors, meaning they’ve never got the chance to live their adult lives free from the consequences of childhood mistakes. Under Trump, these mistakes in their youth threaten their entire future.

The risk of further detainment and deportation at the hands of ICE is a cruel and unnecessary second punishment for people who’ve already served their time.

ICE targeting immigrants and refugees with criminal records for deportation destabilizes communities with the constant threat of once again breaking apart reunited families.

Immigrants with criminal records deserve a second chance to live in society, not perpetual punishment and the threat of deportation.

Sign the petition: Deportation should NOT be an additional sentence. Demand ICE stop targeting immigrants who’ve already served their sentences.