Lujan Introduces Marijuana Reform Legislation to Protect Immigrant Communities
Statement
U.S. House Assistant Speaker Luján (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to remove minor marijuana use, possession, and distribution charges from the list of deportable offenses to protect immigrant communities, including DREAMers, from targeted attacks by the Trump administration.
Specifically, Remove Marijuana from Deportable Offenses Act would prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs from using minor drug offenses, including possession of marijuana, to target immigrants for deportation. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the Senate companion bill.
According to a Human Rights Watch report, more than 34,000 immigrants were deported between 2007 and 2012 for marijuana possession. Since President Trump rescinded guidelines that listed misdemeanor offenders and cannabis convictions as "low priority" in 2014, the crisis has worsened. This anti-immigrant agenda from the Trump administration stands in contrast to the policies of dozens of states that have legalized or decriminalized marijuana use and possession.
"The Trump administration's decision to use marijuana as a weapon against our immigrant communities is despicable. The federal government should not be wasting resources to wreak havoc on immigrant families when there are children held in border camps that are desperate for legal services, hygiene products, and basic humanitarian care. Providing care for these children and families should be where the Trump administration devotes its funding -- not working as a deportation force," said Assistant Speaker Luján. "I'm proud to be fighting for this legislation to hold President Trump accountable and defend our immigrant communities from senseless and hateful policies."
"This Administration's efforts to use marijuana possession as a tool for deportation is misguided and does not make our communities safer. Limited law enforcement resources should not be wasted on deporting people for something two of the last three presidents have admitted to doing," said Senator Booker. "This legislation will remove another one of ICE's weapons that have been deployed to execute this Administration's hardline immigration policy. I'm pleased Rep. Luján has joined me in this effort."
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