Los Angeles, CA – The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), founded in 1986 and now one of the largest immigrant rights organizations in the country, responded today to news reports that Senator Josh Hawley, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, has sent a letter raising concerns about CHIRLA’s alleged role in recent protests in Los Angeles. The following comments should be attributed to Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). “CHIRLA has become aware of a letter from Senator Josh Hawley, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism directed at our organization. We categorically reject any allegation that our work as an organization now and during the past 39 years providing services to immigrants and their families violates the law. Our mission is rooted in non-violent advocacy, community safety, and democratic values. We will not be intimidated for standing with immigrant communities and documenting the inhumane manner that our community is being targeted with the assault by the raids, the unconstitutional and illegal arrests, detentions, and the assault on our First Amendment rights.” # # # | 
