From the Office of Senator Blumenthal
Birthright Ruling
Senator Richard Blumenthal strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s decision limiting nationwide injunctions in a case affecting birthright citizenship:
“This decision leaves families across the country in a state of fear and uncertainty about the future of their children. The Supreme Court has chipped away at two bedrock constitutional principles: the guarantee of birthright citizenship and an American justice system that can serve as an effective check and balance to prevent illegal and unconstitutional actions by the government. The Court’s feckless conservative majority claims that this decision is merely procedural, but that is a lie they tell to absolve themselves of leaving millions of Americans newly vulnerable to government overreach.”
Iran: U.S. Strikes and Nuclear Program
“After today's briefing on the Iran strikes, anybody who says we know with certainty the full outcome of this attack is making it up. Right now, I’m far from comforted with how much damage was done to the Iran nuclear program. I certainly wouldn’t use the word obliterated. A nuclear armed Iran remains a threat to the entire world. Including the U.S.”
“I left that briefing with scant comfort that we know how much of Iran's nuclear arms program has been destroyed or how long it will take them to rebuild it if they choose to do so. Anybody who is using that term ‘completely obliterated’ is making it up, and I certainly wouldn't use that term. And I will just say very flatly, there's no reason right now for a mission accomplished moment. I'm in awe of the brave and courageous and competent military men and women who executed this mission. But we need a final battle assessment, a damage assessment, before we can draw any conclusions about how severely damaged Iran's nuclear program, in fact, has been.”
On the need for Congressional approval:
“The Constitution and War Powers Act require every President to inform Congress and seek approval for using American military force. President Trump has done neither. I urge Senate Republican leadership to bring Senator Kaine’s resolution to the Senate Floor immediately for a vote.”
Immigration issues
On ICE arrests at USCIS offices:
“If these reports are accurate, these actions represent a troubling shift in ICE practice. Because USCIS is an administrative agency, when USCIS notifies an applicant of an interview, the presumption is that the government will conduct the interview in good faith. Instead, we have seen that the government’s invitation has turned into a trap for undocumented immigrants, who have been caught between canceling their appointment—thereby abandoning their application for legalization—and risking deportation by showing up. That is fundamentally unjust.”
Legislative Actions: Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
Senator Blumenthal is a co-lead on the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which aims to prevent ICE enforcement at locations such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship:
“Allowing ICE to invade spaces where people access health care, education, justice, and prayer is cruel and unnecessary, as well as a threat to public safety. When people are too frightened to seek medical care or report a crime, the entire community suffers. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act establishes fundamental safeguards for our immigrant neighbors who have lived here for decades, worked hard, raised families, and enriched our communities.”
“The Trump Administration’s new edict revoking protections for immigrants at churches, hospitals, court houses, and other sensitive locations is a direct threat to public safety. When people are too frightened to seek medical care or report a crime, the entire community suffers. Why are we focusing our limited resources on parishioners and the parents of sick children?”
