FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Contact: Oscar Juarez-Luna, [email protected]; 720-203-6836

THE COLORADO IMMIGRANT RIGHTS COALITION CONDEMNS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ACTIONS AGAINST THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY

DENVER – Today, President Trump has made two executive orders attacking Colorado’s immigrant communities. The first focused on the construction of his «great wall,» militarizing and increasing border security, and putting an end to catch and release policies placing the United States of America on the dishonorable list of the most inhumane, cruel, and xenophobic nations in the world. The second executive order was on interior enforcement order restoring the Secure Communities program and  threatening to strip away federal funding from cities that have declared themselves as sanctuary cities.

CIRC Statement on the Border Wall –

The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition firmly opposes Trump’s plans to build a border wall along the nation’s southwest border with Mexico. President Trump’s executive order is not only an act of racism but it divides two countries by a wall built through hate. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition calls on its communities to stand together in unity and on the right side of history. America has a long and proud history of providing humanitarian relief, safety, and opportunity for people to find refuge not only from physical danger, but basic human rights that are granted by our constitution.

CIRC Statement on Sanctuary Cities –

CIRC questions Trumps legal authority to withhold federal funding from Colorado cities and counties that are defending the constitution by refusing to detain both citizens and noncitizens without probable cause. 4th amendment cities and counties that are not cooperating with ICE to detain people in violation of the constitution are standing up for the 4th amendment rights of all Colorado Residents. Colorado has seen the devastating effects of forcing local law enforcement to do the work of ICE with our history with Colorado’s show me your papers law, SB-90. This law, passed in 2006 and repealed in 2013 with the support of the County Sheriffs of Colorado and the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, undermined the community trust that is needed for effective community policing and cost our state 13 million dollars annually according to a Colorado Fiscal Institute report. The Trump administration should not force Colorado law enforcement to choose between receiving federal funding and defending the constitution that they have sworn to uphold. We will stand with and defend cities and counties that are protecting the rights of Colorado residents and creating a welcoming environment for all Colorado communities.

The following quote is from Victor Galvan, Campaign Manager of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition – “It’s really clear to me that President Trump is using divisive measures to scapegoat Mexican immigrants for American problems. He is making excuses to use taxpayer money, a fund he doesn’t seem to contribute to, to build a useless southern border wall. We will not stand for the misuse of taxpayer money nor will we  blame immigrants for American problems. We call on President Trump to stop the use of divisive political moves, like criminalizing immigrants through his executive order on sanctuary cities, which only work to divide the American people and create hatred towards immigrants. We want to be united and want the focus of President Trump to be on creating a better economy in the U.S.”