Civil Rights & Justice
Protecting the civil rights of all Americans and keeping our families and communities safe is one of the most important responsibilities of government. We must continue the progress we have made in securing equality for all Americans, providing our law enforcement officers with the tools they need to keep Americans safe, and protecting civil liberties in all of our diverse communities.
In Congress, I have been a champion of legislation that guarantees equal rights to all Americans, including the LGBT community. I am a strong proponent of sensible gun violence prevention legislation to keep our families and communities safe. And, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked to provide police officers with the funding they need to do their jobs.
More on Civil Rights & Justice
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) and colleagues have introduced the Hmong and Lao Refugee Deportation Prohibition Act of 2020 to stop the Trump administration from deporting individuals to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (P.D.R.) for 72 months while individuals with Final Orders for Removal have their immigration cases reassessed. The Trump administration is currently negotiating with the Lao P.D.R. on a repatriation agreement that would deport at least 4,700 individuals to Laos.
As a Member of Congress and the vice-chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I believe defending human rights and freedom are foundational to our national security and our democracy. But the struggle to advance human rights and promote human dignity inevitably results in confronting entrenched forces determined to dehumanize, debase, and demonize individuals or entire populations to maintain dominance and an unjust status quo. Hate is used as a weapon to incite and silence dissent.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on Monday, January 20, 2020:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement after the passage of the national security minibus, H.R. 1158:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released a statement today after she and Rep. Dean Phillips (DFL-Minn.), alongside Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, announced bipartisan legislation to protect victims of stalking and domestic violence. H.R. 4705, the Safe at Home Act, will allow federal agencies to accept alternate addresses authorized by state law to protect the identity of those who fear for their safety. Minnesota and Missouri are two of 38 states with an existing ACP.
If you are arrested:
- You have the right to remain silent – ICE can use anything you say against you in your immigration case
- You have the right to speak with a lawyer
- You have the right to call the consulate of your birth country – the consulate may assist you in finding a lawyer
If you are mistreated:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement today following reports of poor conditions at border patrol facilities along the U.S.-Mexico border:
McCollum Statement on Appropriations Committee Passing FY 2020 Commerce-Science-Justice Funding Bill
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) today joined House Appropriations Democrats in voting to approve the FY 2020 Commerce-Science-Justice funding bill. The bill provides a critical funding increase for the Census Bureau to conduct the 2020 Decennial Census, and additionally provides strong funding increases to help research and prepare for climate change, promote civil rights, create jobs, reduce gun violence, and more.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) today announced support from national and international religious and human rights organizations in support of H.R. 2407, the Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, introduced May 1, 2019.
Congresswoman McCollum released the following statement:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) has introduced legislation— the Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, H.R. 2407 — amending a provision of the Foreign Assistance Act known as the “Leahy Law” to prohibit funding for the military detention of children in any country, including Israel.