With a couple strokes of his pen, President Trump wiped out almost all of President Obama’s immigration policies Wednesday, laying the groundwork for his own border wall, unleashing immigration agents to enforce the law and punishing sanctuary cities who try to thwart his deportation surge. Left untouched, for now, is the 2012 deportation amnesty for so-called…
3 thoughts on “Donald Trump eviscerates Obama’s immigration policy in two executive orders”
Comments are closed.
The Anti-Defamation League issued these statements:
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today unambiguously condemned President Trump’s planned Executive Order on immigration and refugee entry into the United States. The draft order, if signed as written, would direct the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to “cease refugee processing of and the admittance of nationals of Syria as refugees,” to cap the annual number of refugees at 50,000, and to halt all travel from certain Muslim countries. The proposed order will effectively bar entry for Syrians stuck in the crossfire of its civil war, will leave vulnerable members of the LGBT community around the world persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and many others.
Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, issued the following statement:
History will look back on this order as a sad moment in American History – the time when the president turned his back on people fleeing for their lives. This will effectively shut America’s doors to the most vulnerable people in the world who seek refuge from unspeakable pain and suffering.
For the Sunni family whose son languishes in prison in Iran because of his faith, for the former Army translator in Iraq who has been threatened because of his service, LGBT youth in Yemen terrorized by Islamists because of his lifestyle, for the widows and orphans caught between the barrel bombs of Assad’s regime and the unparalleled brutality of ISIS, this executive order could very well be a death sentence.
Yes, we need strict screening but these are people who are fleeing horrifying terror and unimaginable violence. To shut the door on them not only makes little sense, but it is cruel and contrary to the values of our country – a nation founded by refugees fleeing religious persecution and strengthened by waves of immigrants. More than most, our community knows what happens when the doors to freedom are shut. That is why ADL relentlessly will fight this policy in the weeks and months to come. Our history and heritage compel us to take a stand.
**
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today voiced deep concern over President Trump’s executive order defunding so-called “sanctuary cities”– cities that protect their relationship between police and immigrant communities by refusing to entangle local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement.
“From our years of experiences in training law enforcement on hate crimes in the United States, we know the critical need for trust between police and the communities they have sworn to serve and protect,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “Forcing cities to choose between losing funds – or dividing police and immigrant communities – is wrong and dangerous. When immigrants and their families and communities fear police, they become vulnerable to hate crimes. This executive order would create an underclass of people who do not have open access to police protection if they become victims.”
“Weakening law enforcement officers’ relationship with immigrant communities puts all of our communities at risk and deters a segment of our community from calling the police after a crime or from coming forward as witnesses,” said David Friedman, ADL Vice President of Law Enforcement, Extremism and Community Security. “We commend those cities that have prioritized community policing and building a trusting relationship between law enforcement and immigrant communities. We urge them to continue their policies and dedication to keeping all communities safe.”
Two San Diego City Councilmembers issued this statement:
Councilmembers Georgette Gómez and Chris Ward released the following statements:
“Our city has a proud and rich history of welcoming immigrants and refugees. The President’s actions today run counter to what we stand for as a City and a binational region, and I am fully committed to stand with all San Diegans to ensure every resident is treated with dignity and respect. Our communities are resilient and will continue to thrive, as we continue to invest in our binational economy.”
– Councilmember Georgette Gómez, Ninth District
“President Trump campaigned on a platform that directly threatened the basic rights and humanity of San Diego’s immigrant, refugee, and faith communities, and his actions today indicate he is planning to follow through on those threats with policies that will hurt many members of our community and weaken the strong binational ties that make San Diego special. San Diegans have been outspoken in opposing these ideas, and now our resolve will be put to the test as we stand up against these destructive actions.”
– Councilmember Chris Ward, Third District
Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) issued this statement:
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) released the following statement on President Trump’s executive order to begin construction of a border wall and strip federal funding from sanctuary cities:
“A border wall is a simplistic approach to a complex problem. A border wall will cost billions to build – if it ever does get built – and that will be after millions more tax dollars are spent on eminent domain lawsuits as Americans fight to keep their property from being seized by the federal government. There will also likely be millions of tax dollars spent on environmental lawsuits. Only bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform is going solve the problem of illegal immigration.
“Enforcement of our immigration laws is a federal responsibility. Compelling local law enforcement to take on immigration means less time for them to focus on their primary responsibility – protecting our communities. When law enforcement plays immigration cop, people are afraid of cooperating with investigations. Punishing cities by stripping federal resources will only further diminish the ability of local law enforcement to serve and protect.”