Bernie Sanders Launches Petition Against Surge in Deportations

U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders Sunday sander circulated a mass petition denouncing the recent surge in deportations of illegal immigrants. 

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"Sending women and children back into harm's way after they already fled horrendous violence in Central America is painful and inhumane, and must be stopped," Sanders said in the email sent Saturday to his supporters. 

In the email, Sanders calls on President Barack Obama to "protect families by extending Temporary Protective Status for those who fled from Central America."

Earlier this week, it was reported that U.S. immigration officials were to carry out an escalation in raids against undocumented immigrants this month and the next to detain and deport hundreds of Central American mothers and children found to have entered the country illegally. 

The operation would likely be the largest deportation sweep targeting immigrant families by Obama's administration this year after a similar drive over two days in January that focused on Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina.

“I oppose the painful and inhumane business of locking up and deporting families who have fled horrendous violence in Central America and other countries," said Sanders earlier this week. "Sending these people back into harm’s way is wrong."