IAVA Files Amicus Brief in Border Wall Litigation
New York, NY (October 22, 2019) Yesterday, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America filed an amicus brief in two ACLU cases related to the border wall: Sierra Club v. Trump and California v. Trump.
IAVA filed its brief in opposition to the cancellation of military construction funding, which was set aside to help military service members and their families. Instead, the funds are now being diverted to the controversial border wall.
“IAVA is speaking out on behalf of service members and their families,” said IAVA CEO Jeremy Butler. “Regardless whether you support or oppose the border wall, it should not come at the expense of our service members and their families.”
The ACLU’s two lawsuits challenge the constitutionality of President Trump declaring a national emergency at the southern border. The declaration enabled the President to divert military construction funding to the border wall. IAVA takes no position on the constitutionality of President Trump’s national emergency declaration or the wisdom of building a border wall. Nevertheless, IAVA strongly opposes requiring military service members and their families to pay the cost of funding the wall.
IAVA worked with the law firm of Conrad & Metlitsky LLP, who provided pro bono assistance.
