Federal Government Shutdown As Anti-Immigrant Members of Congress Endorse Racism

Media Contact: Erik Schnabel, Development and Communications Manager

Phone Number: 415-377-0387

Email: erik@siren-bayarea.org

Tonight, the U.S. Senate voted to shut down the government because the anti-immigrant wing of Congress caved into Trump’s white supremacist agenda. The government’s fundamental job is to keep our country running for American families and communities. Yet, rather than fulfilling these basic duties, Trump and his supporters in Congress chose to allow their hatred against immigrants and children needing health care dictate budget negotiations. Throughout the continuing resolution debate, indeed emblematic of his past year in office, Trump has poisoned all political debate with racism and cruelty. Even though, Trump’s anti-people of color agenda comes directly from the playbook and at the bidding of hate groups, too many members of Congress have failed to stand up to him. And the consequences are serious for all Americans.


“What we need are legislative solutions from a mature leadership in Congress to address real problems caused by Trump’s hand. We must not forget that putting DREAMers in the position of having no certainty in their lives right now was the White House’s own making. Shutting down the government was entirely avoidable but they instead chose to play politics with the real lives of immigrant youth and their families. This shutdown is about nothing less than Trump’s extremism and anti-immigrant lawmakers spinelessness in the face of racism,” said Maricela Gutiérrez, Executive Director of Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN).
 
Many members of Congress from California, including Senators Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein, voted with their conscience tonight. In the days ahead, SIREN urges members of Congress to commit to finding a solution by passing a budget and a clean DREAM Act. Let’s hope in the coming days that we are able to actually make this happen and a vote can be had on the future of DREAMers, children, and immigrant families impacted by this.

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network
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