IJF Condemns Racist, Anti-Immigrant Comments at New York Trump Rally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
October 28, 2024 

CONTACT 
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@immigrantjusticefund.org, 213-375-3149 

WASHINGTON – Kica Matos, President of the National Immigration Law Center and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF), issued the following statement in response to the racist, anti-immigrant comments by speakers at Donald Trump’s New York rally: 

“It’s not a surprise that Donald Trump chose Madison Square Garden – the scene of one of the largest pro-Nazi rallies in American history – to deliver a ‘closing argument’ packed with the inflammatory racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric he has peddled for decades. There is absolutely nothing funny about dehumanizing entire communities of people to curry favor with white supremacists during a presidential election. On November 5, we will have the last laugh when, after months of organizing and fighting together, we propel Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to victory.”   

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IJF Statement on JD Vance's Comments Attacking Michigan Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
October 9, 2024  

CONTACT  
Will Dempster, dempster@immigrantjusticefund.org, 908-413-0153 

WASHINGTON — Kica Matos, president of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement in response to JD Vance’s comments attacking children of immigrants in Michigan: 

“JD Vance’s comments against Michigan kids are vile and shocking. They are also antithetical to our nation’s values of protecting and caring for children. Vance’s feigned concern for public school teachers is a farce. Make no mistake, if Trump-Vance were elected, they would do everything in their power to eviscerate public schools as outlined in the destructive and deeply unpopular Project 2025. 

“All children living in the U.S., regardless of their or their parents’ immigration status, have the right to attend public school. Reasonable, commonsense solutions to the challenges facing public education include adequately funding schools, supporting teachers, and not banning books, to name a few. All of us must send a clear message that children are not pawns in JD Vance’s gross political games.” 

Earlier this year, the National Immigration Law Center, the sister organization of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, led the launch of the Education for All campaign to protect access to K-12 public schools for all kids regardless of their immigration status. Find out more at Education4All.us  

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NILC Immigrant Justice Fund Launches Six-Figure Ad Buy in Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
October 2, 2024  

CONTACT  
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@immigrantjusticefund.org, 213-375-3149 

WASHINGTON — The NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF) today launched a six-figure ad buy in Pennsylvania targeting persuadable Latine, Black, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters under 45 years old. The video ads support the Harris-Walz presidential ticket and underscore the high stakes for immigrant communities. 

“Donald Trump’s got a reckless plan to deport millions,” one of the ads says. “To rip communities apart. Your neighbor. Your child’s teacher. A family member. That’s not a solution, it’s a nightmare.”     

The ads will run in English and Spanish on digital platforms, including YouTube and other video streaming platforms, through November 5, with plans to expand to additional battleground states in the coming days.   

“Trump’s plans to terrorize immigrant communities would hollow out neighborhoods and destabilize the economy,” said Bri Gillis, vice president of political strategy at IJF. “Voters need to know there is a clear choice: a Trump White House would only reap chaos, cruelty, and division, whereas Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are ready to deliver what the American people actually want – practical solutions that help working families.” 

The ads are also available on YouTube here and here. 

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IJF Statement on Vice Presidential Debate Night

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
October 2, 2024

CONTACT
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@immigrantjusticefund.org, 213-375-3149

WASHINGTON — Kica Matos, president of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement in response to JD Vance spewing dangerous, anti-immigrant rhetoric during Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate:

“Last night, JD Vance doubled down over and over on the same dangerous and racist lies about immigrants that Donald Trump has made the hallmark of his presidential campaign. He also refused to account for the devastation the Trump-Vance plan to round up and deport millions of people would bring to our communities – including separating children from their families. American voters are tired of the worn out MAGA playbook of stoking fear and hatred of immigrants to divide the country.

“Of this you can be sure: we will spend every day between now and November 5th fighting to repudiate Trump and Vance’s dark vision for America and elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”

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IJF Denounces Trump’s Racist Lies About Immigrants During Presidential Debate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
September 11, 2024 

CONTACT  
Juan Gastelum, gastelum@immigrantjusticefund.org, 213-375-3149

WASHINGTON – Kica Matos, president of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement on Donald Trump’s comments spreading unfounded, racist attacks on immigrants during Tuesday’s presidential debate:

“It is unconscionable for Donald Trump to repeat the racist lies about Haitian immigrants first uttered by a neo-Nazi. This latest example is part of a long and established history of Trump’s racism. As Vice President Harris pointed out, decades ago he was denying housing to Black tenants in New York. He called for the execution of five innocent young men of color known as the Central Park Five, and has continued peddling birther conspiracies against President Obama and attacking those who rightfully protested George Floyd’s murder. In the area of immigration, there appears to be no floor too low for Trump’s attacks and demonization of immigrants of color.

“This disgusting racism must be confronted, repudiated, and defeated by all Americans. Donald Trump, JD Vance, and any other elected official who spews this filth are dangerously unfit to serve. In November, voters must reject Trump’s tired, desperate attempts to divide and distract Americans by scapegoating immigrants.”

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IJF Statement on the Democratic National Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2024

CONTACT
Will Dempster, dempster@immigrantjusticefund.org, 908-413-0153

WASHINGTON – Kica Matos, president of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement after the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention:  

“Over the past four days, we saw a stark contrast between the future Vice President Kamala Harris envisions for America, and what awaits us if Donald Trump returns to the White House. As the Vice President and the Democratic Party celebrated America’s immigrant heritage and called for a pathway to citizenship in Chicago, Donald Trump was at the southern border promising once again to conduct mass deportations and separate families. 

“We recognize how much is at stake in this election and are mobilizing to send Vice President Harris and Governor Walz to the White House. At the same time, we need our leaders to understand that the best way to defeat Trump’s anti-immigrant extremism is to articulate and champion a plan to build a 21st century immigration system. Embracing drastic legislative solutions and rhetoric on ‘border security’ won’t bring us any closer to the compassionate, humane solutions voters want. 

“Vice President Harris and Governor Walz have awoken joy and hope for the future in our country. It’s time for us to get to work and win this election.” 

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