Trump Attacks Immigrants and American Values on Day One Speech

New York, NY—Today, Donald Trump’s second inaugural address, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, provided some highlights of the executive orders he will be releasing, including reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy; redeploying the military to the southern border; designating criminal cartels and organizations Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs); and enacting the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition, said in response to the speech:

“Today is a dark day in American history, with cruel and dangerous consequences for our immigrant communities, and everyone who calls America home. The incoming Trump administration is weaponizing the federal government against all immigrant communities – both people seeking safety in the future, and those who are the backbone of our economy now—while at the same time undermining the very values and rights that were once considered intrinsic to the nation. While some of these executive actions will be litigated in court, this is little solace to immigrant families being targeted, racially profiled, vulnerable to detention, deportation, or much worse. By standing united, we can resist the Trump administration’s fear-mongering and attempts to marginalize and eliminate the rights of our neighbors—we can demand that our leaders protect all our freedoms, our families and our futures.”