NILC Statement on Election of Donald Trump as President

Nov 6, 2024

NILC Statement on Election of Donald Trump as President

WASHINGTON — Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center, issued the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s election win: 

“Donald Trump’s election – following his embrace of white supremacy during the campaign – brings us to one of the most dangerous moments in our country’s history. We knew Trump could win and that is why we helped lead a movement wide effort to plan for this moment.  

“Trump and his allies told us what he plans to do: mass deportations, ending birthright citizenship, ending the right to public education for immigrant children, internment camps, and using the military to hunt down immigrants. We should take him at his word.  

“One thing is certain: we cannot and will not retreat. For more than 40 years, NILC has been steadfast in our fight to defend the rights of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. We successfully fought Donald Trump before, and we will do it again.  

“There is too much at stake in the months ahead to succumb to despair. Instead, we will come together, lift up the courage and resilience of immigrant communities, and fight back with everything we have.” 

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