CHICAGO — Following the wrongful detention of Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi alongside two other U.S. citizens and three permanent residents, immigrant rights organizer and progressive candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 7th District, Anabel Mendoza, released the following statement: 

“Sunny’s detention and transfer out of state show exactly how ICE and CBP operate: aggressive and deadly tactics, zero accountability, and devastating consequences for families. For months, the Trump Administration has been disappearing U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and others with protected status. Already, more than 170 U.S. citizens have been wrongfully detained, and nearly 90 DACA recipients have been wrongfully deported despite their status.

"This blatant abuse of power is exactly why we must abolish ICE and CBP, prosecute agents and agency leadership, and ensure individuals like Sunny get the justice they deserve. In Congress, I will fight to invest billions of taxpayer dollars in what actually keeps our communities safe—affordable housing, health care, and access to healthy food—not waste it funding agencies that detain U.S. citizens and target our neighbors.”

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Anabel Mendoza is a community organizer, immigrant advocate, and the youngest candidate running for Congress in Illinois’ 7th District. A lifelong Chicagoan and the proud daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, she has dedicated her career to fighting for working families, immigrant rights, and a government that serves people, not corporations. She’s running to bring unity, honesty, and courage to Washington. For more information, visit www.anabelforcongress.com