AAF Statement on the Signing of H.R. 29 into Law

This law expands the list of offenses that can lead to immigrants being detained and deported without due process, including minor crimes like shoplifting and fare evasion.

On January 29, President Trump signed H.R. 29 into law, also known as the Laken Riley Act. This law expands the list of offenses that can lead to immigrants being detained and deported without due process, including minor crimes like shoplifting and fare evasion. It grants anti-immigrant state attorneys broad, unprecedented power to intervene in federal immigration cases and affects DACA recipients, workers, survivors of domestic violence, and trafficking victims.

The wide scope of the law will have a chilling effect on Asian American communities, discouraging crime reporting and leading to the detention of long-settled immigrants based on mere accusation of wrongdoing. By mandating detention even for petty offenses, thousands could be funneled into jails and detention centers at great cost to taxpayers, regardless of threat or flight risk.

“The United States Congress chose to pass a law that unfairly targets all immigrants and undermines a core principle of American justice: innocent until proven guilty. With nearly 64% of Asian New Yorkers being foreign-born, this law will directly impact our diverse communities and create widespread fear and anxiety.  We fear this will further silence victims of crime, domestic violence survivors, and stop other vulnerable New Yorkers from coming forward.  This law undermines legal protections for the most vulnerable and will come at a high cost to local communities. We will continue to stand up for the right to due process for our communities — and for a city and state where our communities can live and work safely and are afforded their civil rights.”

– Joo Han and Andrew Sta. Ana, Interim Co-Executive Directors