Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

I am heartbroken by the senseless death of Pierre Damas Bel. Like hundreds of thousands of Haitians, Pierre fled dangerous conditions and received temporary protected status to build a better life for himself and patriotically contribute to our nation. Instead, Donald Trump’s mass deportation machine ripped away Pierre’s legal status, threatened him with terrifying violence, forced him to wear an ankle monitor and humiliated him in front of his peers. The Trump administration has peddled deeply dehumanizing, racist and xenophobic rhetoric about the Haitian community, particularly in Springfield, Ohio. They must answer for their despicable cruelty. 

My condolences are with the Bel family and all who knew and loved Pierre. Hardworking and law-abiding immigrants are an integral part of the fabric of our communities and deserve compassion, dignity and humanity. Enough is enough.

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