Homeland Security & Immigration
In a troubled world, Americans must work together to keep our country safe while upholding the values that truly make America great. We must stay vigilant about preventing terrorism and preparing for emergencies. At the same time, our broken immigration system is crying out for reform.
In Congress, I advocate for comprehensive reform that overhauls our immigration system, secures our borders, and establishes a process for qualifying immigrants to earn legal status. I support the admission of fully vetted refugees and strongly oppose divisive efforts to demonize immigrants and turn our backs on vulnerable refugees. In addition, I strongly support federal investments that help our first responders do their jobs and keep our communities safe.
More on Homeland Security & Immigration
With the Department of Defense considering a plan that could expose as many as 1,000 foreign-born American military recruits to deportation, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) will offer an amendment during tomorrow’s House Appropriations Committee markup to ensure the Pentagon upholds contracts with foreign nationals who have signed up to serve the United States.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s immigration order:
“President Donald Trump’s new executive order on immigration and refugees is nothing but a repackaged version of a bigoted policy that numerous federal courts already struck down.
“No matter what political spin President Trump and his administration put on this action, the facts are clear: it turns our backs on vulnerable refugee families, discriminates against Muslims, betrays our values as Americans, and embarrasses our country around the world.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum received the International Institute of Minnesota's Olga Zoltai Award for Service to New Americans on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at the Institute's International Women's Day Tea. The award, which honors distinguished service to New Americans, memorializes the life and work of Olga Zoltai. Congresswoman McCollum delivered the following remarks after receiving the award:
Thank you for this very, very special award, Kitty (Kitty Gogins, International Institute of Minnesota Board President and daughter of Olga Zoltai).
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) previewed President Donald Trump's Address to a Joint Session of Congress in a post on Medium:
At four town hall meetings last week in St. Paul, I heard a clear message from my constituents: the State of our Union is anxious.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) packed this week’s President’s Day District Work Period with four town hall meetings, listening in-person to more than 1,000 Fourth District constituents.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum made the following comments on President Donald Trump's new deportation policy:
"President Donald Trump's new deportation policy is the start of a war on immigrants. His policy abandons common-sense law enforcement and opens the door to abuse and racial profiling.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) joined House Democrats and Gold Star Father Khizr Khan today to introduce the Freedom of Religion Act, which prohibits the use of religious litmus tests as a means to ban immigrants, refugees, and international visitors trying to enter the United States. The legislation would help overturn President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees, discriminating against Muslim immigrants, and targeting Muslim Americans.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum today co-sponsored the Safeguarding Sanctuary Cities Act (H.R. 748), legislation that would help protect local governments like St. Paul and Ramsey County from President Donald Trump’s executive order tying federal funding to assistance with his anti-immigrant agenda.