Statement on President Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration

Today President Trump signed executive orders on immigration that will enact plans to build a wall along our southern border, mobilize immigration raids and deportation efforts, increase use of detention centers and work to eliminate sanctuary cities. Reports also suggest he has plans to greatly restrict refugee resettlement as well as immigration from certain countries through separate executive orders.

Any policy that ignores immigrant and refugee contributions to our workforce and economy; significant cultural influences; and innovation and entrepreneurship is shortsighted and will only further divide us at home and isolate us abroad.

Furthermore, threats of immigration raids and mass deportation efforts serve to push millions of individuals further into the shadows, weaken our economic infrastructure and cause significant emotional harm.

We are—and always have been—a nation of immigrants, offering a place of refuge to those escaping violence in their home countries and a place of hope for those yearning for the American dream. These founding principles are the very qualities that make our country great.

Now, more than ever, we need to unify around freedom, tolerance, diversity and equality—not divert precious federal resources towards hateful, discriminatory policies.

We urge you to join us in standing in solidarity with immigrants and refugees, both here in Chicago and across our country, as we daily renew our commitment to working toward a just, inclusive society for all.

Kirstin Chernawsky
Executive Director, Erie Neighborhood House