New York, NY—Under new guidance issued by Donald Trump’s administration, the Department of Homeland Security will now deny green card applications from immigrants based on their expressed political opinions, including participating in pro-Palestinian campus protests and individuals with a history of “endorsing, promoting or supporting anti-American views,” including non-violent views critical of Israeli policy.
Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition:
“Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our democracy, and it must apply to everyone, no matter where they were born. Yet, Donald Trump is taking a dangerous step toward punishing immigrants for the public expression of their beliefs. This is part of the administration’s broader deportation agenda that is predicated on expanding every available avenue to silence and detain people whose views are not shared by the federal administration, deny them their rights, and deport them. The Trump administration’s new policy effectively censors individuals and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the rights of all Americans. We must stand firm in defending our constitutional values by protecting the right to free speech for everyone and advancing policies that create real, fair pathways to citizenship, ensuring that our immigration system reflects our values of freedom, dignity, and justice.”