Quad-Caucus
Leadership Condemns Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration
WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Today, the leadership of the
Congressional Quad-Caucus – which is composed of the Congressional Asian
Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus
(CPC) – issued statements condemning President Donald Trump’s recent executive
orders, which were directly targeted at the immigrant community. President
Trump signed executive orders that enable the construction of a border wall,
increase funding for detention centers on the border, cut federal funding to
sanctuary cities and various other anti-immigrant actions. Quad-Caucus leaders
issued the following statements:
CAPAC
Chairwoman Judy Chu (CA-27):
“Immigrants are the bedrock of
our nation, and building a wall on our southern border, threatening to withhold
funds from sanctuary cities and states, and refusing refuge to those fleeing
violence and persecution are actions that run contrary to our values as a
nation. Unfortunately, rather than focus on securing and unifying our country,
President Trump has continued to promote intolerance and divisiveness that will
make our communities less safe.
“Welcoming immigrants and
refugees into our country has strengthened communities, brought vibrancy to our
economy, and cemented the U.S. as a moral leader in the world. American
taxpayers should not be forced to foot a massive bill to build an outrageous
and ineffective border wall, nor should local law enforcement agents be forced
to employ policies that sow mistrust and hamper their ability to fight crime.
“Instead of promoting these
senseless policies, President Trump should bring forth comprehensive
immigration reform, and focus on bringing our country together rather than
isolating entire communities.”
CHC
Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01):
“The CHC stands united against
President Trump’s executive orders to build a multi-billion dollar wall and
indiscriminately target cities that do not round up people without legal
status. These executive orders fail to address our broken immigration system.
Instead, they build up hostility toward immigrants and squander taxpayer
dollars.
“Mr. Trump grew support for
his multi-billion dollar wall on the false assertions that it would curb
unprecedented levels of unauthorized immigration and would be paid for by
Mexico. In fact, unauthorized immigration levels have been stagnant for the
past eight years and it will be hard-earned U.S. taxpayer dollars, not a
foreign government that will finance his monument to division and
prejudice.
“President Trump’s order to
halt federal funding to municipalities that do not to turn over all
unauthorized immigrants, regardless of the level of the offense will turn
neighbor against neighbor, inhibit police departments' ability to ally with
communities, and devastate city budgets and services. We are in agreement with
Police Chiefs and Mayors across America who believe that the role of local
police departments is to fight real crime and keep communities safe, not to act
as federal immigration officers.
“Ultimately, Mr. Trump’s
measures fall extremely short of a first step toward negotiating an immigration
system that provides a tough but fair earned pathway to citizenship or legal
status, enhances border security, grows the economy, and is in line with our
core American values.
“I urge the President to
consider the vast wishes of the American people as he begins to address matters
on immigration. The lives of immigrant families, refugees, and American
citizens hang in the balance. So too does America’s standing as a beacon of
freedom, justice, and hope.”
CBC
Chairman Cedric Richmond (LA-02):
“President Trump’s actions
today make it clear that he is willing to sacrifice long-term progress for
short-term displays of intolerance. Instead of ensuring the safety and security
of the American people, the President is prioritizing intolerance and fear-mongering.
Instead of focusing on strengthening and supporting our communities through
smarter strategies, he is attacking American cities. The President will attempt
to spend $20 billion in taxpayer money and seize land owned by American
citizens to build a wall when he should be focused on American jobs and
protecting the rights of all Americans. Unfortunately, this is only the latest
example that President Trump is more concerned with show than substance and is
willing to take actions that hurt the very people he claims to represent.”
CPC
Co-Chair Raul Grijalva (AZ-03):
CPC
Co-Chair Ellison (MN-05):
CPC
First Vice-Chair Mark Pocan (WI-02):
“As Americans we are best when
we hold our values close. We value the freedom to practice one’s religion without
persecution, the freedom of self-determination, the freedom to build a good
life for oneself and one’s family – these values are non-negotiable. But
President Trump, and the Republicans who support him, are acting as if our
shared beliefs, set forth in the Constitution, can be tossed aside.
“We are stronger when our
decisions reflect our shared values of inclusion and equality. We are safer
when we unite against actual threats. Demonizing people in search of a better
life only increases ill-will towards us around the world. Forcing local
jurisdictions by presidential mandate to assist with civil immigration
enforcement will break faith with immigrant communities only to sow fear and
mistrust. Militarizing the southern border and making immigration detention
mandatory will only waste exorbitant amounts of taxpayer money and ensure
vulnerable people continue to live in fear.
“Refugees, by definition, are
those fleeing persecution – not persecutors themselves. Closing our borders to
refugees fleeing devastation and war is morally indefensible. It’s cruel and
it’s un-American.
"Later this year,
Congress will have an opportunity to block these discriminatory policies.
The CPC hopes that colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us using the
power of the purse to stop these attacks on our fundamental values.
“This isn’t just campaign
rhetoric anymore. It’s policy. And it may endanger people’s lives.”
The MIRA Coalition
Condemns President Trump's Executive Orders on Immigration
Boston
– Continuing the divisive and xenophobic anti-immigrant rhetoric with which he
campaigned for the White House, President Trump today issued two executive
orders regarding immigration. The first includes unfunded and impractical plans
to build a physical barrier along our entire southern border, increase civil
detention bed space, and increase the number of Customs and Border Protection
officers, while adding new hurdles for those seeking refuge from
persecution. The second executive order increases the number of ICE
officers and threatens federal funding for jurisdictions that decline to divert
resources to enforce federal immigration law.
“These executive orders are a direct affront to our nation’s long history of
welcoming immigrants and refugees who revitalize and strengthen our
communities,” said Eva Millona, Executive Director of MIRA. “After less than a
week in office, this administration has already signaled to our nation’s
immigrants and their children that the promise of the American dream no longer
exists.”
Numerous aspects of these executive orders place undue financial burdens on
local communities. The Trump Administration’s ambition to deport anywhere from
2 to 11 million people is impossible to achieve without co-opting local police
resources to do the federal government's job – something that “sanctuary city”
ordinances and policies are designed to prohibit.
These ordinances largely conform to federal law, and President Trump's threats
to withhold federal money from the over 350 towns, cities, and states across
the country that decline to enforce federal immigration law are on thin ice,
constitutionally-speaking. As Justice Scalia pointed out in Printz v United
States, the federal government cannot compel states to enforce federal
law.
“By his words and actions, our new President has made it clear that he intends
to rule a nation where communities are divided and pitted against one another,”
continued Ms. Millona.“The people of Massachusetts will not sit idly by in the
face of such attacks, but will stand united to protect the most vulnerable
among us.”
BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today issued the following
statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it will
strip federal funding provided to so-called “Sanctuary Cities” in Massachusetts
and across the country.
“Strong, independently-governed communities are part of
what makes Massachusetts great. The President’s executive order is an
irresponsible attempt to coerce our communities into conducting his mass
deportations, and would impact all residents by stripping federal funding for
roads, schools, police, health care, the elderly, and assistance for those in
need. My office will be watching closely and I will be ready to stand with our
cities and towns in the coming days.”
Boston, January 25, 2017 – This is a difficult day for PAIR and for the
immigrant community. The President, by Executive Order, has committed his
administration to erecting barriers on the U.S. border, uses derogatory words
to describe noncitizens, and plans to punish cities that protect the rights and
dignity of immigrants. His promises to suspend refugee processing and to ban
refugees from certain countries from entering the U.S. is creating much fear
and panic in our already vulnerable immigrant communities. The U.S. is a great
nation that values freedom, safety, diversity and acceptance. PAIR is committed
to these values for all and will continue to protect immigrant rights.
Founded
in 1989, PAIR is the leading provider of pro bono immigration services to
asylum-seekers and immigrants unjustly detained by immigration authorities in Massachusetts. PAIR serves
over 1,000 clients a year and has a successful outcome in 95% of its asylum
cases. Susan Cohen, President of PAIR's Board of Directors, makes clear that,
“Now, more than ever, we must stand up for the bedrock American value of
welcoming, not demonizing, immigrants and refugees who seek safe haven in the
United States. When we protect and defend the rights of immigrants, we
underscore the importance of the rule of law in a civil society, and everyone
benefits.”
PAIR
will fulfill its mission to serve asylum-seekers and immigrants unjustly
detained by immigration. We will continue to provide legal orientation
presentations in and out of detention; will serve as many asylum-seekers as
possible; will conduct asylum intake for those who fear returning to their home
country; and will gear up to recruit, train, and mentor as many volunteers as
our organization can handle.
We
will protect clients like "Zaroon," an internet activist who fled Syria after
being targeted by secret police for his postings on Facebook protesting the
Syrian government and their treatment of civilians caught in the civil
war. With the help of PAIR and his volunteer team from Ropes &
Gray LLP, he won asylum in the U.S. and continues to advocate for democracy and
freedom.
PAIR
is committed to providing legal resources to clients like "Irtaza," a young Iranian man
who was targeted by the government because of his religious conversion.
In his home country, he could not even openly pray without the fear of
death. Thanks to PAIR and his volunteer team at Mintz, Levin, Cohn,
Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC, was granted asylum and now enjoys the freedom to
practice the faith of his choosing here in the United States.
PAIR
will stand by clients like "Zara," a
young woman who fled Ecuador after
being repeatedly harassed, beaten, and raped due to her sexual orientation.
Though she tried to build a life in her home country, she and her partner
continued to face severe discrimination and violence. With the help of PAIR,
she won asylum in the U.S. and continues to advocate for LGBTQ rights.
“It
is a time of great uncertainty, but PAIR will do the important work that is
needed to achieve justice, transparency and fairness in the immigration laws
for our clients and immigrants in the greater community,” said Anita P. Sharma,
PAIR’s Executive Director. PAIR has been holding legal orientation, or
“Know Your Rights” sessions for immigration detainees and the general
community. If you are interested in a legal orientation session or concerned
about your immigration status, call and speak with a staff member at PAIR. If
you would like to collaborate or support our work, please feel free to contact
us or to donate to PAIR. We are grateful to have allies like you on our side.
In solidarity,
Amanda, Amy, Anita, Elena, Jennifer, and Seth
Anita P. Sharma, J.D.,
LL.M
Executive Director
PAIR Project
