By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent
Executive orders signed by President Trump withholding federal funding to sanctuary cities and building a wall along the U.S. Mexican border received an immediate rebuke from Asian American Pacific Islander leaders.
“This is taking Mr. Trump’s perverse attack on immigrants to a new level,” said Rep Judy Chu, chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “He is now threatening the welfare, stability, and security of American cities for the sake of appearing tough on immigration. This is an unacceptable cost of political posturing. I urge Mr.Trump to think of the families who are contributing to our country every day under the fear of separation and act with heart, not callousness.”
Many in the community fear Trump’s action will lead to more racial profiling by police, especially among Muslims and those mistaken as Muslims such as Hindus and Indian Americans.
“Today’s Executive Orders are a troubling, very detailed illustration that reinforces problematic views and stereotypes of Muslims and all who can be perceived as Muslim,” said Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director of South Asian Americans Leading Together. “President Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric during the election is being born out into devastating policies just five days into his administration. Our communities know all too well how those policies tear apart families and push us further away from our values as a nation to guarantee freedom and civil liberties for all.”
Banning all refugees not a solution. @POTUS/Congress should #StopArmingTerrorists https://t.co/fsdxJs54co
— Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiPress) January 25, 2017
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“The administration’s action is a direct attack on the policies of more than 360 counties and cities that have policies seeking to disentangle local law enforcement from immigration enforcement and encourage vibrant immigrant communities that make our country strong,” said Asian Americans Advancing Justice in a joint statement for five civil rights groups. “We are deeply troubled by the direction of our country and this Administration’s apparent desire to appease his anti-immigrant and white supremacist supporters. President Trump lost the popular vote; further, Asian American voters overwhelmingly did not vote for Trump.
The symbol for the United States should continue to be the Statue of Liberty, not a concrete wall. #NoBanNoWall https://t.co/oRWN8NXiD1
— Grace Meng (@RepGraceMeng) January 25, 2017
Came to the US in steerage.
Now a US Senator fighting for more families to have the opportunities I did.#NoBanNoWall #NationOfImmigrants
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) January 25, 2017
To our brothers, sisters, and friends in our immigrant communities: please know today that you are not alone.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 25, 2017
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