FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Laura Trask
Director, Development and Communications
[email protected]
Washington, D.C. (May 9, 2025) — Ayuda is deeply concerned about the proposed budget reconciliation bill that would allocate up to $200 billion to expand immigration enforcement, including mass deportations without due process. This legislation would devastate immigrant communities and place extraordinary burdens on those seeking safety and legal stability. Rather than investing in a fair, humane, and efficient immigration system, the bill would take us backward. It would require immigrant workers to renew their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) every six months, creating instability for families and employers alike.
The bill would also impose unaffordable fees on unaccompanied children, asylum seekers, and others seeking refuge via humanitarian programs. Coupled with a ban on fee waivers, these provisions would block access to safety for low-income immigrants—including Ayuda’s clients. Worse, the bill redirects funding away from immigration agencies to the Treasury, worsening backlogs and delays instead of improving the system.
At a time when transparency and accountability are urgently needed, this bill would grant unchecked spending power to an administration that actively disregards due process and human rights.
As Congress considers the budget bill, these inhumane provisions must be removed. Immigration reforms should prioritize fairness, oversight, and investment in solutions that strengthen families, communities, and the rule of law.
Ayuda urges Congress to:
- Reject excessive fees that place basic legal protections out of reach.
- Require clear guardrails to prevent abuse of immigration enforcement funding.
- Demand transparency and accountability for all immigration spending.
Immigrants are essential members of our communities. They deserve a system that respects their dignity and ensures a fair opportunity to live, work and thrive in the United States.
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About Ayuda:
Ayuda provides direct legal, social, and language access services to low-income immigrants in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Since 1973, Ayuda has served more than 150,000 immigrants throughout the region. Ayuda is the only nonprofit service provider in the area that provides a wide range of immigration and family law assistance, social services, and language access support for all immigrants – including women, men, and children – from anywhere in the world. Visit www.ayuda.com to learn more.