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Leaders of the Coalition for Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and social leaders of the Immanuel Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles condemned the series of executive orders of President Donald Trump, as part of his promises on the “first day” of government and regretted the rescinding a memorandum that prevented immigration and Border Patrol agents from entering schools and hospitals and other sensitive locations.
The president’s decrees include dozens of immigration measures that further divide the country, close access to asylum, end birthright citizenship, undermine due process and pave the way for mass arrests and deportations, which would end in an economic crisis in the country and separation of families.
“While no one is safe, we continue fighting for our children,” said Mrs. Vianey Rojas, originally from Mexico City, who participated in the vigil.
“We deserve respect and what the government wants to do is unfair,” he added, while dozens of immigrants chanted: From north to south! From east to west! We will win this fight! At all costs!
There are no longer protected areas
Under the new Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued memos to lift limits on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to perform work in “protected areas” under former director Alejandro Mayorkas. the news network first announced FoxNews.
These protected areas were schools at all levels, health care facilities, places of worship, “places where children gather,” social service establishments, food banks, religious or civil ceremonies, and disaster relief and response centers. emergencies.
“We have a network of workers and community organizations to fight together,” Felipe Cáceres, organizer of the SEIU Local 721 union, told La Opinion. “Despite what they do, we have rights and we are going to protect children and undocumented people. , even though they are saying that churches and schools will not be sanctuaries.”
What fell apart
The Mayorkas policy was initially established in 2011 by then-ICE Director John Morton.
At that time, the execution of specific coercive actions was prohibited. in a variety of sensitive spaces. Similar guidance was also issued to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2013.
While in 2021, Mayorkas issued guidance to ICE and CBP on enforcement actions in or near areas requiring special protection.
“In our pursuit of justice, including the execution of our law enforcement responsibilities, we impact people’s lives and promote the well-being of our country in the most fundamental ways.”
The guidance added that: As a result, when conducting a law enforcement action, ICE and CBP agents and officers must first examine and consider the impact of the location where the actions are likely to take place, their effect on the people and broader social interests.
Raúl Murillo, director of Hermandad Servicios Comunitarios, indicated that Trump summarized what his administration will be with two gestures: the alleged Nazi salute of his main follower, Elon Musk, and “the totally racist and anti-immigrant measures that he announced from day one.” ”.
“Trump is causing terror in our community; It is not satisfied with putting pressure on the workers; Now he also wants to sow fear in our children and parents when they go to drop their children off at school and encounter ICE agents,” declared the social activist. “Wanting to separate families is totally inhumane; something of those who have no sensitivity and of those who have no love for the most vulnerable, our children.”
‘Stay in Mexico’ takes effect immediately
Likewise, DHS “immediately” reinstated the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), allowing the DHS Secretary return certain applicants for admission to the neighboring country from which they arrive, pending the completion of deportation proceedings pursuant to Section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
End the “abuse” of humanitarian parole
DHA Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued further guidance “to end the widespread abuse of humanitarian parole and returns the program to a case-by-case basis.”
That way, ICE and CBP will gradually eliminate any parole programs (humanitarian parole) that is not in accordance with the law.
“This action empowers the brave men and women of CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch foreign criminals—including murderers and rapists—who have entered our country illegally,” a DHA spokesperson said.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. “The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement and instead trusts them to use common sense.”
The DHS points out that the administration of former President Joe Biden “indiscriminately” allowed the entry of 1.5 million migrants.
‘Scapegoats’
Angélica Salas, director of CHIRLA, said Trump’s proposals at his inauguration indicate “an obsession with changing the United States and scapegoating immigrants in the most cruel and un-American way.”
Salas said that the inauguration of a new president in the United States portends new beginnings, the opening of doors and the united search for possibilities for all.
“Not this time,” he stressed.
“A Donald Trump administration threatens to be a stark contrast to immigrant communities everywhere, and to a nation that just a few years ago praised the contributions of immigrants as essential and key to keeping our nation afloat during the days dark aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
“President Trump continues his divisive and hateful rhetoric, demonizing immigrants and announcing numerous policies whose impact is already being felt on the border and in the interior,” Salas explained.
In fact, CHIRLA rejects as “false, cruel and dangerous both the notions that there is some type of emergency or invasion on the border that justifies draconian measures and that there are millions of immigrants who should be deported for actions other than working hard and contribute to your community.”
“Let’s be clear: Trump’s promise to change the United States is a dangerous doublespeak,” Salas said. “Their policies scapegoat immigrants and target them without any basis in truth.”
“This approach is cruel, racially biased and un-American and we will oppose it by staying united, resilient and supporting immigrants everywhere,” he said. “Immigrants have helped and continue to help make this country great and deserve a path to citizenship.”
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