January 25, 2017

Congresswoman Barbara Lee: This is Not Who We Are

Washington, DCToday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on President Trump’s executive order targeting immigrant communities:

“By issuing executive orders that direct federal funds to build a wall on our border and restrict federal resources to sanctuary cities, President Trump has begun to implement his anti-immigrant attack against vulnerable populations.

“The president’s executive orders are rooted in an un-American hostility toward immigrant communities. This nation is, has been, and always will be a nation of immigrants. Directing federal funds to build a wall between the United States and Mexico is a betrayal of our fundamental values. Instead of building walls to keep immigrant families out, we should be focused on passing comprehensive immigration reform that would keep families together.

“Today’s directives also take the unprecedented step of targeting sanctuary cities. These cruel, counterproductive policies are designed to terrorize immigrant communities and bully local jurisdictions. My district is home to four proud sanctuary cities: Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda and Emeryville. I refuse to allow the Trump administration to intimidate my constituents. As a member of the Appropriations Committee I will fight tooth and nail to prevent funding for these misguided, anti-immigrant policies.

“While President Trump continues his attack on immigrants, I vow to stand up for our communities with a clear message: this is not who we are. We will organize and prevent these reckless polices from tearing families apart. Together, we will resist.”