Washington, DC — In response to Trump’s divisive State of the Union address, Detention Watch Network’s Organizing Director, Danny Cendejas issued the following statement:
“Despite his claims, Trump’s mission is the antithesis of righteous. He used the address as yet another depraved call for the administration’s anti-immigrant agenda to come to fruition at the expense of immigrant lives and healthy communities nationwide.
Trump exploited isolated tragedies to demonize immigrant communities — a signature move from the administration’s playbook to stereotype immigrants at large to justify inhumane treatment and impose draconian policies.
Furthermore, he put Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and agency that regularly lies, actively hides information from the public and retaliates against anyone who speaks out, on a pedestal. The reality is that ICE’s track record of abuse is long-standing, well documented and overwhelming — it is a rogue government agency responsible for egregious violations and even death.
Trump’s address on immigration resonated with Trump’s core ideology, white supremacy. As he continues to push policies of division and hate, we will continue to demand dignity, justice and liberation for immigrant communities.”
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Detention Watch Network (DWN) is a national coalition of organizations and individuals working to expose and challenge the injustices of the United States’ immigration detention and deportation system and advocate for profound change that promotes the rights and dignity of all persons. Founded in 1997 by immigrant rights groups, DWN brings together advocates to unify strategy and build partnerships on a local and national level to end immigration detention. Visit www.detentionwatchnetwork.org. Follow @DetentionWatch.