PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND PROUDLY STANDS WITH THE CONNECTICUT IMMIGRATION RIGHTS ALLIANCE

Planned Parenthood stands in solidarity with the immigrant community in Connecticut and across the U.S.

On Monday, June 27, 2016, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) proudly stood side-by-side in solidarity with the Connecticut Immigration Rights Alliance (CIRA) and more than 150 others who were outraged over the U.S. Supreme Court decision that invalidated a plan to protect immigrants.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s June 23 split 4-4 decision on Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) resulted in more than 150 activists gathering in Hartford, CT. On Monday afternoon, outside of the immigration enforcement office in Hartford, a portion of Main Street was blocked off and nine people were arrested in an effort to send a strong message against deportation in Connecticut.

“Planned Parenthood stands in solidarity with the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance in a call for a halt to all deportations,” said Gretchen Raffa, Director of Public Policy, Advocacy & Strategic Engagement with Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. “The Supreme Court’s devastating failure last week to reach a decision on this historic case has left an uncertain fate for 5 million eligible immigrants who currently reside in the U.S. and their families. We will continue to work with CIRA to demand not one more deportation.”

On Monday, the Supreme Court delivered a monumental win for abortion rights with a 5-3 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. This was a win for women. The rally in Hartford is a reminder of the work left to be done for all people in this country.

“Planned Parenthood continues to work with our communities and coalition partners on immigration reform. We believe no one’s health should be compromised because of immigration status,” Raffa said. “The consequences of being undocumented can contribute to a culture of fear in the immigrant community, and keep too many people from seeking the lifesaving health care they need. That is why we support deferred action plans and call for immigration reform.”

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Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is one of the region’s largest providers of family planning and reproductive health care services. Since 1923, PPSNE has evolved into an organization with 18 health centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island, delivering care to nearly 70,000 patients annually, and 90 percent of the services provided are preventive.