SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he will suspend immigration into the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
“We are deeply concerned that during a global pandemic that requires thoughtful and consistent leadership, the president swings back and forth between dismissing the gravity of the situation to continuously finding someone to unfairly blame for the toll it is taking on our economy and families. Rather than heed the recommendations of medical and public health experts, he is once again inserting his anti-immigrant, xenophobic, fearmongering rhetoric into the conversation to distract from his mishandling of the crisis and for tens of thousands of lives lost.
“During this pandemic, the labor of many professions with high immigrant demographics, such as janitorial staff, grocery store workers and farmworkers, has been deemed essential- but to us they have always been essential. Countless continue to go to work each day during this pandemic to provide for their families and to serve all of us. This demonstrates not only their commitment to their families but also highlights their contributions to our communities as critical to our collective livelihoods. Without them, we would not have food to eat, shelves stocked and clean hospital rooms, along with the numerous immigrants that are serving as first responders, doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, x-ray techs, and the list goes on. They should all be treated accordingly.
“We are appalled that even during this unprecedented crisis that necessitates unity and empathy, the president continues to attack our immigrant families and neighbors instead of giving them the respect they deserve. The Latino Caucus will continue to stand and fight with the immigrant community to ensure that they have a seat at the table as we navigate these uncertain times.”
