FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2023
CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, NILC - IJF, gastelum@immigrantjusticefund.org, 213-375-3149
Chanea Davis, CASA in Action, cdavis@casainaction.org, 301-717-449
WASHINGTON –The National Immigration Law Center Immigrant Justice Fund and immigrant leaders from CASA in Action joined Senator Jeff Merkley on a press call to emphasize how a return to Trump-era extremism would be not only out of alignment with most American voters, but also disastrous for immigrant communities and our country as a whole.
The Immigrant Justice Fund unveiled its research outlining the policies Trump has vowed to pursue if re-elected, which represent the most extreme anti-immigrant agenda in modern history. See the full report here.
Kica Matos, President of the Immigrant Justice Fund, said, “During Donald Trump’s time in office, we saw immigrant children in cages, communities living in constant fear, and abject cruelty at our southern border. If reelected, he has vowed not only to reinstate every cruelty he enacted in office, but also pursue new policies that would harm millions of people. Immigrants help build America. We contribute to the economy, pay taxes, work essential jobs, and move the country forward. We need to do everything in our power to make sure Donald Trump never steps foot in the White House again.”
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) recounted being the first member of Congress to witness Trump's child separation policy at the border in 2018, and said, "It's just hard to believe the United States, land of Lady Liberty holding up her torch to the storm-tossed people of the world, was in the business of directly injuring children as a policy strategy. But we were in that business under Trump — and he had no qualms about it. In fact, in May of this year, at the CNN town hall, he defended this policy and implied that he would reinstate it. We believe in compassion, not cruelty, and we must never let the darkest days of Trump once again come to the Oval Office."
Lydia Walther-Rodriguez, Chief of Organizing and Leadership for CASA in Action, said, “CASA in Action seeks to give a voice to CASA in Action members and all immigrants who have been deeply affected by the hateful rhetoric caused by Donald Trump’s presidency. Immigrants were constantly shamed and dehumanized. Even now, long after his presidency, immigrants are left to deal with the consequences of teaching such inflammatory rhetoric. CASA in Action denounces all hate speech, policies, and implications that are associated with Trump running for office ever again. We will continue to work for immigrant communities, holding policy makers accountable for this dangerous rhetoric that holds great consequence. CASA in Action will continue to endorse policy makers that advance the priorities and facilitation of greater engagement of voters of all communities.”
Jonthan Rhodes, CASA in Action member, said, “I’ve been told to go back to my country, and all sorts of racial slurs because Donald Trump - a president of the United States - said these racial slurs so the public felt comfortable saying these hateful things too. Immigrants are the ones who built this country, immigrants are the backbone of this country. Imagine what this country would have been, and would be, without immigrants."
Diana Pliego, DACA recipient and federal advocacy strategist at the National Immigration Law Center, said, “Donald Trump and other Republican extremists have tried to take DACA away for years and have pledged to do the same again if re-elected. As we continue to fight for permanent protections, what we need are leaders who prioritize solutions, not ones who scapegoat immigrants and play games with our lives. Our communities deserve to live free from the fear that we could lose the lives we’ve built in the place we call home.”
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The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund aims to encourage full participation of low-income immigrants in the democratic process and to advance smart, effective, fair immigration policy. Like the millions of voters who denounced Trumpism in 2020, most Americans want candidates that truly represent their views, and we’re working to elect more people to office who will pass commonsense improvements to our immigration system, particularly a pathway to citizenship.
By mobilizing Black and brown voters, CASA in Action, and its 125,000+ members, play a powerful role in electing progressive change leaders who can produce the justice our members seek. CASA in Action endorses candidates that advance its membership’s priorities and facilitates greater engagement of Latinos and voters of color in elections.
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