New York, NY – In response to the Trump Administration’s decision to conduct one of the largest immigration raids in more than a decade, less than a week after the horrific attack on the Latino community, José Calderón, President of Hispanic Federation, issued the following statement:
“There is no question that our community is still healing from the vicious and hateful actions of a white supremacist who took the lives of more than 20 innocent men, women and children in El Paso. As the days have passed, what has also become clear is that fear has spread throughout every Latino community across the nation. There is a fear that we now live with a target on our backs regardless of where we go — be it a shopping mall, nightclub, school or even church.”
“What is incomprehensible is why the Trump Administration, in the aftermath of these callous murders, would choose to conduct one of the largest immigration raids in recent memory, dividing families, leaving children abandoned with no one to pick them up from school, and causing further fear and division. The Trump Administration is sending a very clear message this week: it does not view the lives of Latinos and immigrants with the same dignity and value that we all deserve and share.”
“If there was a moment for President Trump to show that he is the president of every American, that moment passed when the teleprompter was turned off. As we have said, time and time again, the President has shown his disdain for communities of color, and the raid was a reminder that while he can read from a teleprompter he will never cease his campaign to divide and undercut the growing presence and voice of our community. These tactics will fail because we will never cower in fear. We will continue to organize, register to vote and participate in our democratic process as every American must.”