CPD Action Responds to DHS Appropriations Funding and National Emergency Invocation

New York, NY -- In response to news that President Trump plans to call a national emergency at the same time as he intends to sign a DHS appropriations bill that includes money for ICE and CBP, Ana Maria Archila, Co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy Action released the following statement:

“Congress is letting Trump have his cake and eat it too. Not only are they planning to vote on a Department for Homeland Security appropriations bill that increases Trump’s deportation forces like ICE and CBP, they are playing into his game to build a border wall and destroy our democracy through invocation of a national emergency. This is not only an attack on communities of color, but is also a power grab and an attack on our democracy and Constitution.

If Congress votes in favor of the DHS appropriations bill, they are allowing Trump to declare a national emergency that does not exist so he can live out his racist vision for this country with complete disregard for democratic norms and institutions. We refuse to let our Members of Congress turn their backs so heavy-handedly on our communities and on our constitution. We demand that our representatives acknowledge that the true solutions in this country come through public investment in good jobs for all, in affordable housing, in health care for all, in clear air and water.

“If Members of Congress had any doubt about the racism inherent in Trump’s border wall, they should consider that Trump wants to pay for his wall by taking funds from Puerto Rico rebuilding efforts. This double slight is exactly how it appears: an affront to communities of color and Latinx people. We know that Trump will not represent us or our interests. Our elected representatives must.

“This is our time to fight for each other and for our country. Democracy depends on it.”

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Center for Popular Democracy Action is a national network of more than 50 community organizations dedicated to achieving racial and economic justice through local grassroots organizing. CPD trains and supports leadership, staff, and members to grow base-building organizations to scale and leverage that strength to win cutting-edge policy victories at the federal, state and local level.