Update: This story has been update to include the response of Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Reports that the Department of Homeland Security is planning a series of raids to deport hundreds of families who crossed the border during the recent migrant crisis have drawn the fire of the Democratic presidential candidates, including 2016 frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
Clinton campaign spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement that the former Secretary of State “has real concerns” about the reports.
“She believes it is critical that everyone has a full and fair hearing, and that our country provides refuge to those that need it. And we should be guided by a spirit of humanity and generosity as we approach these issues,” Hinojosa said in the statement.
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley was first to criticize the Obama administration’s plans to ramp up deportations — which were first reported by the Washington Post — via Twitter, and was followed soon after by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
.@DHSgov holiday plans for raids to round up/deport Central American refugees fleeing death are wrong. We are a better nation than this.
— Martin O’Malley (@MartinOMalley) December 24, 2015
A Christmas Refugee Roundup sounds like something @realDonaldTrump would concoct. Remember: Jesus was a refugee child who fled death gangs.
— Martin O’Malley (@MartinOMalley) December 24, 2015
Statement on DHS Plans for Massive Raids: pic.twitter.com/DbCXZlB2FR
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 24, 2015
According to the Post, starting next month immigration enforcement agents are planning to deport families who sought asylum from violence in Central America but didn’t receive refugee status. Those whose asylum claims were rejected and have been told to leave since Jan. 1, 2014 will be targeted in raids, the Post said.
