FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2019
CONTACT
Alex Gilliland, gilliland@nilc-ijf.org, 650-823-4575
LOS ANGELES — Following the Democratic presidential debate in Atlanta, GA, Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund, released the following statement:
“American voters are hungry for bold ideas to address the dysfunctional and harmful status quo when it comes to health care, climate change, income inequality, and immigration. But once again, we heard no bold vision about immigration. Asking one question about Trump’s border wall plays into his racist attacks and fails to even scratch the surface of the issue or address the needs of the over 40 million immigrants living, working, and contributing to our country.
“As we watch Trump weaponize race, immigration, and class in an attempt to change who we are as a country, candidates must speak up against fear-mongering and clearly articulate a vision for this country that includes immigrants.
“The beacon of hope this country has provided is based on the idea that no matter where you were born or how much money you have, there is room for you — and your neighbors — to thrive. It’s this ideal that has brought immigrants to our country for centuries, but that ideal is rapidly eroding because of this administration’s desire to deter people from coming here and punish them for remaining. Candidates must effectively articulate a more inclusive vision for who we are as a country and who we aspire to be, and unfortunately they missed that opportunity tonight.”
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