FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 16, 2022
PRESS CONTACT: Renee Garcia
Email: rgarcia@immdef.org I 213-634-7615
Immigrant Defenders Law Center Denounces Anti-Immigrant Political Stunts and Praises Massachusetts Community for Welcoming Migrants with Dignity
The Biden Administration must create humane border policies while rehabilitating our immigration system to end the suffering of people seeking asylum and end attacks from dangerous anti-immigrant politicians.
LOS ANGELES, CA: Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) condemns the likely illegal political stunt perpetrated this week by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Governor DeSantis targeted vulnerable asylum seekers by using false claims and incorrect legal information to lure them onto planes and stranding them without access to resources. These vile stunts are meant to advance an anti-immigrant agenda and instill fear and hatred toward immigrants. ImmDef praises the response of Massachusetts’ community members who welcomed migrants with resources, shelter, and services. The local response in Martha’s Vineyard is a testament to the desire and ability we, as Americans, have to help people in need. We can create a functional, safe, and orderly system for people seeking safety. These political stunts are likely to continue until our government restores the asylum system and restructures the immigration system into one that welcomes people with dignity. The longer the Biden administration stalls, humanity suffers, lives are lost, and anti-immigrant politicians are emboldened. If we want to live up to our democratic values, our government must end xenophobic and racist immigration policies that create this dysfunction.
“This is a new low. The Department of Justice should fully investigate whether the Governers of Florida and Texas violated any laws while perpetuating these vile political stunts. Human beings--including children and families--should not be used as pawns to score cheap political points. ” – Alvaro Huerta, Director of Litigation and Advocacy
“The recent actions taken by powerful politicians against vulnerable human beings in need of protection are about politics over people and hate over humanity. The U.S. must turn away from merciless and senseless immigration policies instead of continuing to turn away human beings in need either by bus or through failed policies such as Remain in Mexico and Title 42.” -Margaret Cargioli, Directing Attorney of the Cross-Border Initiative
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Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) is a next-generation social justice law firm that defends our immigrant communities against injustices in the legal system. We envision a future where no immigrant will be forced to face immigration court alone. Our programs are a first step towards 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, Adelanto, Riverside, Santa Ana, and San Diego.
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