NCAPA Welcomes the New Way Forward Act

Washington, DC— In response to the 1996 immigration laws, which led to the disproportionate racial profiling, incarceration, and deportation of immigrant communities, The New Way Forward Act was introduced today by Representatives Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (IL), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Karen Bass (CA), and Ayanna Pressley (MA).

The bill would: (1) end mandatory detention and require probable cause for arrest; (2) Implement a five year statute of limitations for removal; (3) Limit the criminal-legal-system-to-deportation pipeline; (4) Restore judicial discretion and end summary deportations; (5) Promote public safety by ending the entanglement of federal immigration law enforcement and local law enforcement; (6) Decriminalize migration; and (7) Create an opportunity for people previously deported to come home.

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) issued the following statement:

“As a result of the 1996 laws, racial profiling has led to unequal rates of arrests and the funneling of countless people into the deportation system. The New Way Forward Act would advance racial justice by making an important aspect of our immigration system more fair. Since 1998, over 17,000 Southeast Asian Americans have received final orders of removal, and the Trump Administration has separated families that has placed unbearable burdens on those who are left without a spouse, parent, caretaker, or child. We support this important legislation to keep families together and secure human rights to all immigrant communities.”