The Advocates For Human Rights Condemns President Trump’s Intention to Halt Immigration
On Monday The New York Times reported that President Trump said he would sign an executive order to temporarily halt immigration to the U.S. as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread. Trump campaigned on shutting down immigration. From 2017's Muslim Ban to last month's order to illegally turn back asylum seekers without a hearing the administration has been ready to exploit any opportunity to isolate the United States.
By focusing on jobs, the president's tweet plays into xenophobic tropes. But the facts are clear: 459,000 people immigrated to the United States last year; 22 million Americans filed for unemployment last month. At a time when the administration should be focusing on public health, safety and real economic issues, it is scapegoating immigrants yet again. "The administration's immigration policy has consistently ignored federal law, international treaty obligations, fundamental human rights, and its impact on the human beings involved, including the immigrants, their families and the broader community," said, Robin Phillips, executive director of The Advocates for Human Rights.
By Michele Garnett McKenzie, Deputy Director at The Advocates For Human Rights
