New York's top Latinx politician gave this scorchingly defiant response to Trump's immigration order
Donald Trump signed a series of draconian anti-immigrant executive actions on Wednesday. The measures—some directed toward predominantly Muslim nations, others centered around Mexico—make good on his campaign promises to both “build the wall” as well as prevent Muslims from entering the country. But, they go far beyond that, as well.
In particular, Trump’s “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States” order sets its sights squarely on “sanctuary cities”—cities which, to varying degrees, abstain from cooperating with federal deportation and detention efforts. In the order, Trump directs his administration to target these communities by limiting federal funds, as well as to publish “a comprehensive list of criminal actions committed by aliens and any jurisdiction that ignored or otherwise failed to honor any detainers with respect to such aliens.” In other words, Trump and his administration will be publicly targeting specific undocumented immigrants—a policy with disturbing implications.
The attack on sanctuary cities has rightfully alarmed immigration activists (to say nothing of actual immigrants), including New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who blasted the new order at a furious, emotional press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s very hard to contain myself after hearing and seeing what I just witnessed,” Mark-Viverito began.