For Immediate Release: Oct. 30, 2018
Contact: Erin Williams | ewilliams@faithinaction.org | (202) 748-0699
WASHINGTON, DC — In an interview with Axios on HBO, President Trump unloaded his latest attack against immigrants, saying he does not need Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution. He went on to state that he has executive authority to destabilize families by ending birthright citizenship with a stroke of a pen. The announcement follows a series of deadly pipe bombs sent to former presidents, media outlets and Democratic officials, and after a deadly massacre at a the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Richard Morales, policy and program director of LA RED, Faith in Action’s immigrant justice campaign, shared this response:
“After publicly declaring himself a nationalist, a term that white supremacists and Nazi-sympathizers embrace, President Trump is using every power he has to remove immigrants, particularly immigrants of color, from our communities and bar entry of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through Muslim bans, threats to end asylum, and meeting families fleeing violence with military force.
“While most countries with histories that include slavery and the murder of Native people, take steps to ensure these atrocities are never repeated, this administration’s actions are clearly motivated by hate and nationalism to move policies and administrative decisions that are causing lasting harm to immigrants and Americans. The president does not have the moral authority to terrorize children and families while using the U.S. Constitution as a defense.
“While most countries with histories that include slavery and the murder of Native people, take steps to ensure these atrocities are never repeated, this administration’s actions are clearly motivated by hate and nationalism to move policies and administrative decisions that are causing lasting harm to immigrants and Americans. The president does not have the moral authority to terrorize children and families while using the U.S. Constitution as a defense.
“Trump began the week by announcing another executive order that effectively bans Central American asylum applicants from seeking refuge in the United States, a callous response to persons fleeing violence. To underscore the anti-refugee policy, the administration announced the deployment of more than 5,200 American soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border to block men, women, children, and teens desperately seeking asylum. Let us never forget that the purpose of soldiers is to fight and to war.
“He is setting up our highly trained military to confront refugees and asylum seekers mostly women and children. In the same way that our faith compels us to stand with the oppressed, it necessitates that we raise our voices in firm opposition to a political agenda fueled by fear and hate.
“He is setting up our highly trained military to confront refugees and asylum seekers mostly women and children. In the same way that our faith compels us to stand with the oppressed, it necessitates that we raise our voices in firm opposition to a political agenda fueled by fear and hate.
“While Trump is doubling-down on anti-immigrant hate speech, it is now up to voters to elect a Congress that will unite a divided nation.”
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Faith in Action, formerly known as PICO National Network, is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. The nonpartisan organization works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 46 local and state federations. For more information visit www.faithinaction.org.
