FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2025
Press Contact: Renee Garcia, rgarcia@immdef.org, media@immdef.org, 213-634-2186
ImmDef Stands with Immigrants as Second Trump Administration Signals a Return to Cruel and Inhumane Enforcement Actions
Los Angeles, CA.-- On the inauguration of Donald J. Trump to a second U.S. presidential term, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), the largest nonprofit removal defense social justice law firm in Southern California, pledges to stand with immigrant communities throughout the next four years and beyond. Today, on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, ImmDef reaffirms our commitment to championing human and civil rights and stands defiantly in the face of an administration that aims to destroy immigrant communities and separate American families.
Lindsay Toczylowski, ImmDef’s President and CEO, declared, “We reject the cruel, anti-immigrant ideology of the incoming administration. Safety for migrants means safety for all people. Justice for immigrants means justice for all of us. Due process for asylum seekers means due process for you and me. An attack on immigrant communities—those who form the backbone of our nation—is an attack on us all and on the Constitution itself. Trump's first term led to heinous and unpopular immigration policies, including family separation, Remain in Mexico, and Title 42. These policies were time and time again shunned by the American people. We won’t stand idly by while this administration tries to legalize terror on people seeking safety from persecution. We call on our allies, Congress, local government leaders, and all people nationwide who believe in justice, due process, and human rights to courageously stand with us and reject efforts to oppress immigrants on either side of our border. Today, on his birthday, we are reinvigorated by Dr. King’s legacy and stand firm in our commitment to justice for all people, even when the biggest threat of injustice is our own President. We stand ready to defend the dignity of immigrants and the right to seek asylum, while also working toward systemic changes to our unjust immigration system. We will not back down.”
Directing Attorney of Policy and Advocacy, Margaret Cargioli, said, “The central theme of President Trump’s immigration priorities announced today is to disregard constitutional rights and humanity. The United States Constitution protects the rights of our immigrant families and neighbors, and we are ready to defend the rights of immigrants who will be targeted by the heartless enhanced enforcement operations implemented by the Trump administration. Trump’s plans to reinstate “Remain in Mexico” will cause death, harm, and devastation to LGBTQ+, men, women, children and Black and Brown asylum seekers as was documented in the previous iteration of the policy. We urge the Mexican government to reject the harmful policy. Ending the right to seek protection from persecution and suspending refugee resettlement shows the lack of humanity in Trump’s immigration agenda. After hearing the devastating impact of Trump’s policies, we urge our representatives to vote “no” on the Laken Riley Act that would leave immigrant children subject to prolonged detention.”
“Donald Trump wasted no time delivering on his promises to return cruelty and inhumanity to our already broken immigration system. He continues to peddle fear and loathing to score cheap political points and turn neighbor against neighbor,” said Alvaro M. Huerta, ImmDef’s Director of Litigation & Advocacy. “The years ahead will be dark and the battles will be tough, but we remain committed, with our partners, to fight on behalf of and alongside the amazing immigrant community members who continue to risk everything to seek a better life for themselves and for their loved ones. We will not lose hope. We will fight tooth and nail—in the courts, in our legislatures, and on the streets—to ensure that all people—including migrants—are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. And someday, we too shall overcome.”
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The Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) is a next-generation social justice law firm that defends immigrant communities against injustices in the immigration system. Our programs are a first step towards realizing the long-term goal of providing universal representation to all immigrants facing deportation. ImmDef is now the largest non‐profit, pro bono provider of deportation defense in California, with offices in Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Ana, and San Diego.