Human Rights and Refugees

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement on President Donald John Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States: “The nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is President Trump’s latest shameful effort to further roll back the progress we have made on voting rights, workers’ rights, women’s rights, civil rights, clean air and water, gun control, healthcare, and so much more. We cannot take nominations to the Suprem... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement marking the 6th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative, which was established by President Obama on June 15, 2012: “When President Obama created the DACA Program six years ago, he recognized the injustice of deporting young people to countries they have never known. DACA recipients are Americans in every way, but citizenship. They have lived here and been educated here. They serve in our milita... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement following today’s judgement of Bosnian Serb wartime commander Ratko Mladic at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague (Netherlands): “I welcome today’s judgement by the international tribunal against Ratko Mladic. The absolutely monstrous nature of the crimes he was found guilty of committing – war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide – could not be ignored. Although it took a long ... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) has introduced H.Res.591, a resolution denouncing the ongoing violence against the Rohingya people of Burma and calling on the international community to do everything possible to help Bangladesh as it provides life-saving assistance to Rohingya refugees (Please find attached a copy of the resolution): “The Rohingya people are victims of horrific atrocities at the hands of the Burmese army and government. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ... Read more

Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement in observance of World Refugee Day: “We observe World Refugee Day to draw attention to the plight of the more than 65 million people around the globe who have been forced to flee their homes and countries. More than any time in recorded history, war, persecution, religious intolerance, and natural disasters have forced millions of people to abandon everything in order to survive. On this day, we must reflect on the importance of prom... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement on the 5th Anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: “Since DACA was launched five years ago, nearly 800,000 young people have received temporary relief from deportation. The program has afforded youth the opportunity to work, go to school, and be active and contributing members of our society. “President Donald John Trump’s administration has undermined DACA, targeting recipients with deportati... Read more

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) issued the following statement on Secretary John Kelly’s decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for six months to Haitian nationals residing in the United States: “I continue to believe, and will continue to champion, that a full TPS renewal of 18 months is in the best interest of both Haiti and the United States. Haiti continues to face daily challenges from the earthquake that laid waste to the country in 2010, the subsequent... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement marking International Roma Day: “I am pleased to mark International Roma Day and celebrate the contributions of Roma persons to world history and culture. As we celebrate the great contributions of the Romani people throughout history, we must not lose site of the fact that they continue to face intolerance and are still fighting for equal opportunities for themselves and their families. “To this day, Romani continue to face p... Read more

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) sent the following letter to Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly, urging him to extend TPS Status to Haitian nationals who have been residing in the United States and benefitting from this program. Joining Hastings in signing the letter were Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Fred... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement in response to President Donald John Trump’s new executive order banning Muslims and refugees from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the United States: “It’s perplexing that President Trump, who’s first Muslim and refugee ban was shot-down by multiple courts, has once again attempted to prohibit the same groups from entering the United States. No matter how you repackage it, this new executive order i... Read more