IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Rep. García, CPC Members Blast Trump’s Executive Orders

(Click here for a Spanish version of this release)

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), joined his Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) colleagues, Chairman Greg Casar (TX-35), Deputy Chair Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Representatives Chris Deluzio (PA-17),  Luz Rivas (CA-29), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), and Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) today to blast Trump’s executive orders. Also in attendance were Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12)  and Maxine Dexter (OR-03). 

Rep. García, who is also CPC Whip, underscored the impact that the immigration executive orders are having in his own district. The text of his remarks as delivered is below. The video of the press conference can be seen here. Rep. García’s remarks start at minute 12:19.

“The impact of the executive orders issued yesterday by Trump and his regime is personal to me. I am an immigrant who represents a district where one out of every three people is foreign-born and they come from Mexico, Central and South America, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Haiti, and China, among others.

“And in Illinois, two out of every seven U.S. citizen children have an immigrant parent - these are hard-working, mixed-status families that deserve to stay together.

“Instead, Donald Trump is abusing his power by trying to take away birthright citizenship. This is blatantly unconstitutional - evident by actions taken now by twenty-two attorneys general in cities across the country. Simply put: It’s un-American to attempt to invalidate our immigrant contributions and histories - but let me be clear, immigrants make America great, and immigrants help keep America’s economy moving!

“As Progressives we are here to say: We will NOT let him take away this fundamental right.

“And on this quest to invalidate immigrants and dehumanize us, Trump has also suspended refugee resettlements, a program that has existed since the 1980’s, offering a lifeline to refugees in the most dire conditions.  

“And as if it wasn’t enough, Trump wants to completely dismantle the right to seek asylum by reinstating the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. This deterrent policy is inhumane, ineffective, and places people in grave harm.

“And under the guise of public safety, he intends to stop cartels by categorizing them as terrorists. This vilification of immigrants, and in particular, Mexicans, will lead us down a dangerous path - one that creates even more harm and jeopardizes our national security. From preying on victims of extortion to opening the door to military interventions in Mexico, we must understand the serious implications of declaring cartels as terrorist organizations.

“Let’s set the record straight: If Trump really wants to address cartel violence, then he must address the fact that 70% of the weapons used by cartels are coming from the U.S.

“And while we’re fact-checking, let’s debunk the myth that immigrants are criminals. Immigrants are actually 60% less likely to be incarcerated and 37% less likely to commit crimes!

“We stand here today calling on Trump to bring real solutions, not propaganda to stoke fear and chaos disguised as policies.

“We will not be silenced. We will not be afraid. We will defend our diverse immigrant communities. And reaffirm that the more you try to bury us, the stronger we will grow back.”

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