Trump’s Immigration Ban Set to Ink a Directive for Xenophobia

“While they claim they want to protect the economy, they are choosing to leave behind those on the frontlines keeping it afloat.” 

NEW YORK CITY -- On Wednesday night, the Trump administration issued a proclamation that bans people from entering the United States on immigrant visas for 60 days, with some exceptions. 

In response to the proclamation, the co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, Ana Maria Archila, released the following statement. 

“Trump has made clear he will use a national health and economic crisis to further advance the racist, anti-immigrant agenda that has characterized his campaign and administration. 

“The executive order to suspend immigration is a political ploy to rally Trump’s base and distract people from his inept handling of the Coronavirus crisis. It puts in full display his cruelty and relentless efforts to sow division and hate in the country, at a time when people are vulnerable and hungry. 

“The proclamation is dangerous and irresponsible policy: immigrants make up a plurality of the essential workers who are keeping the country fed, cared for, and safe at this moment. Immigrant workers and families are essential to our communities and our economy, and this policy will have devastating implications for families and the country as a whole.

“Although Trump is trying to blame immigrants for the crisis, we are not fooled. The United States is leading the world in the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths because of Trump’s ineptitude. No executive order, no matter how far-reaching and xenophobic it is, can hide this simple fact: Trump failed to protect the American people. Plain and simple.”

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