WASHINGTON — Today, leaders from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, UnidosUS, The National Partnership for New Americans, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrants and Refugee Rights, Mí Familia Vota, and America’s Voice held a press call reacting to President Trump’s executive actions targeting immigrants—including EOs declaring a national emergency, attempting to end birthright citizenship, suspending refugee resettlement, and shutting down asylum admissions.
Below are quotes from today’s press call:
“It’s imperative to understand that the executive orders that Trump rolled out will harm all communities, not just immigrant communities. There are millions of mixed-status families in our country, including over five million kids who have undocumented parents—the human impact will be very real,” said Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice. “The policies that Trump is rolling out will lead to more chaos and dysfunction. It is not an effort towards solutions on how to have a better functioning immigration system that serves our needs and our values.”
“The Leadership Conference and our coalition of more than 240 diverse national organizations is clear: Immigrants have rights, are members of our communities, and have constitutional protections,” said Maya Wiley, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “Those who have birthright citizenship are citizens, and no one can take that constitutional right away with the stroke of a pen. Our vast coalition is committed to fighting collectively against the divisions these executive orders are stoking and raising our collective voices to protect the rights of immigrants because that protects all of our rights — our rights to be free from racial profiling and to be recognized as citizens, as community members, as families, as workers, and as people deserving of dignity. We will not be silent and we will not sit by and allow this administration or anyone to violate civil and constitutional rights.”
“The fear of deportation is very real for our communities in this moment and in the months and years ahead, but we are here to reclaim our story as one of power, action, and fortification,” said Nicole Melaku, Executive Director of the National Partnership for New Americans. “Immigrant communities are vibrant and resilient, supported by networks of advocates, legal service providers, organizations, and resources like the Ready to Stay National Resource Hub, which equips individuals to act on their rights and protect their families. We urge elected officials and state and local institutions to take a stand against harmful, anti-immigrant policies and instead create solutions that support the safety and stability of all. We urge members of the media to join us in amplifying information that humanizes and empowers our immigrant communities to understand and stand up for their rights. Together, we can build a future where no one has to fear being torn from their loved ones or the places they call home.”
“Let’s be clear: immigrants don’t just contribute, immigrants are the foundation of this country,” said Hector Sánchez Barba, President and CEO of Mí Familia Vota. “Declaring a national emergency to militarize the border and suspending legal protections are reckless and unnecessary actions that sow fear in immigrant communities. It’s time for permanent solutions that promote justice, dignity, and respect. It’s time to stop being hypocritical as a nation on the issue of immigration: 11 million undocumented people in the most powerful nation in the world is not a mistake—it is public policy—and the entire nation, all the economic sectors of the nation, benefit.”
“We’re not going to compromise our values just because of a new administration. Our people are worth fighting for, and we’re going to continue to work to rebuild what Trump, Abbott, and others have tried to break,” said Lawrence Benito, Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
“The American people want real solutions that ensure the immigration system works for them. While the President’s executive orders claim to put ‘America first,’ they won’t make the nation safer. In fact, these orders will undermine the fair and orderly operation of the immigration system and disrupt, and even bring chaos, to American families and businesses,” said Greg Chen, Senior Director of Government Relations for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “The new administration is trampling the U.S. Constitution and fundamental American values by attempting to end birthright citizenship. He is justifying military action by peddling a fake truth that harmless people seeking protection and a better life are invaders. Prosperity is not achieved through extreme policies that scapegoat immigrants. Americans know that immigrants are part of the fabric of American society and making the country stronger.”