Southern California activists denounced new deportation rules for undocumented immigrants released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday as a “dragnet,” saying they would result in “mass deportation of millions of families” and workers.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly “has unleashed an unprecedented witch hunt on millions of immigrant families,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) of Los Angeles, in a statement. “These immigration enforcement memos are a one-size-fits-all mass deportation approach full of punishment, completely void of fairness and justice.”

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The rules – which redefine the nation’s immigration enforcement priorities – greatly expand the number of people who are considered a priority for deportation, and include those arrested for traffic violations as well as those suspected of a range of crimes.

Salas said the guidelines represent an “unlawful, expedited process” to remove those living and working in the country illegally. She argued the measures would not only hurt families but the economy -- and are contrary to the nation’s history and values.

“This is a dastardly approach to a very human issue,” she said.

Salas called on Americans to ask their congressional representatives, who will be visiting their local districts this week, what each will do in response to the “xenophobic plan.”

“Our nation needs leadership, champions who can stand up to fairness and justice and fight back against these immoral policies,” she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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