New Jersey Immigrant Rights Advocates Reject President Trump’s Divisive, Fear Mongering, Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric

Advocates say ‘Not one more dollar’ and call on Congress to reject any proposal for increased funding to DHS and immigration enforcement

NEW JERSEY– Johanna Calle, Director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice released the following statement following last night’s State of the Union address:

“Last night Trump again failed to set our nation in the right direction toward comprehensive immigration reform and continued his divisive tactics by making misleading claims filled with lies and fear-mongering rhetoric about migrants and immigrants to make a case for the unnecessary and dangerous border wall.

“For immigrant communities, any increase in funding to DHS for immigration enforcement will mean more parents separated from their children through detention and deportation here in New Jersey and more migrant children locked in cages. In the last two years, we have witnessed the highest rates of ICE enforcement as compared to previous years and the impact of these policies with horrific stories of family separation. People are picked up while dropping their children to school, or just in their own backyards, creating fear and mistrust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.

“Last night, former Trump employees Victorina Morales and Sandra Diaz, residents of New Jersey, were invited as guests to the address by congressional representatives showing their support for fair treatment of undocumented immigrants.  We call on the New Jersey’s congressional delegation and state legislators to reject Trump’s divisive anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric by standing with immigrant families with their votes by rejecting any funding bill that contains money for the agencies that have separated families and are responsible for the deaths of children in their custody. Passing licenses for all in New Jersey to ensure that immigrant families drive without fear.

“Any legislator who does not actively stand up against Trump’s rhetoric and immigration enforcement policies supports increasing detention and family separation in our communities.“

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