FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2020

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

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday night, Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending immigration into the U.S.

Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center Immigrant Justice Fund, issued the following statement:

“Trump’s immigration ban is another attempt to divide us by race and birthplace and distract us from his failure to lead the country during this pandemic. Medical experts and scientists warned us about COVID-19 for months as Trump wasted time, rejected expert advice, and declared there was nothing to worry about. Tens of thousands of Americans are mourning lost loved ones, anxious about the uncertainty we are all facing as our economy continues to free fall, and we lead the world in deaths and lost jobs. Yet all Trump can do is blame others for his own failures and play divisive political games. We will only get through this crisis together.

“Trump’s latest xenophobic political play is only the latest reminder of why the stakes are so high this November. We need a president who takes responsibility, listens to experts, and unites people of every race, class, and country of birth. We need a president who can ensure all Americans, including immigrants, can be safe, and have the health care and economic relief we need to get through this crisis.”

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