(Los Angeles) In reaction to news of ICE Director John Morton’s resignation, Chris Newman, Legal Director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, issued this statement:
“John Morton’s departure is tremendous news. Under his leadership, ICE further fractured an already broken immigration system, it did tremendous damage to civil rights, and it served as a “force multiplier” for the unjust status quo. During his tenure, ICE operated under an self-imposed deportation quota. In advancing this unprecedented and self-imposed deportation quota, ICE ramped up it Se Communities program, which will go down as one of the most shameful immigration policies in US history.
With his departure, the President now has an opportunity to close the gap between his rhetoric and his policies on immigration. Was ICE a rogue agency, or was it just following orders? While we celebrate the removal of Morton, the deportation machine he helped build remains in place. And while Congress has its work to do, there are several steps ICE can take today to advance immigration reform. We are hopeful the next director of ICE will take immediate steps to reverse the damage and to alleviate injustice caused by ICE during John Morton’s tenure.”