LAWS AND PUBLIC POLICY

RESCINDING OF DACA

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ comments on DACA exemplify the administration’s stance on immigrants. In the official statement from the Department of Homeland Security on the rescinding of DACA, the former Attorney General said, “ending the previous Administration’s disrespect for the legislative process is an important first step. All immigration policies should serve the interests of the people of the United States—lawful immigrant and native born alike”. This comment highlights this particular administration’s view on immigrants in general. It denies the Americanness of people brought to the U.S. as children, who have grown up in the country, and paints them as criminals. Immigrants have long been used as scapegoats for social ills plaguing this country, as a population with no voting power and a long-standing fear of law enforcement, it is difficult to collect data and examine this complex population and find ways to help the most vulnerable among them.

POLICY TARGETING PREGNANT WOMEN IN ICE DETENTION

 The Trump administration continually plays on those anti-immigrant beliefs in order to keep power. Choosing to get rid of a policy which automatically released pregnant women from ICE detention after two weeks shows their attempt at controlling the bodies of immigrant WOC. This decision allows the government to detain more people. According to CNN, there were at least 35 pregnant women in detention in ICE's custody in March of 2018. In December of 2018, this number rose to 506 pregnant women. The focus on detaining pregnant women shows this administration’s focus on attempting to limit immigration, and limiting the number of pregnant women giving birth in the U.S.