Team,

By now you may have heard about some of the most recent hateful, racist, and disturbing comments former President Trump made about immigrants.

About two weeks ago, he stated that immigrants “are not people”. When the news hit, I joined a coalition of advocacy, labor, and civil rights groups, led by Latinas, to strongly condemn Trump's increasingly hostile rhetoric. Then, just a few days ago, he was at it again, demonizing migrants coming to the U.S. from Latin America and the Middle East, wishing loudly instead for people from “nice” European countries including Denmark and Switzerland.

These are words that I'm appalled and disheartened to repeat, but it fuels my commitment to fight the person and the hatred and extremism behind them.

The urge to diminish the humanity of immigrants is a rejection of our shared human experience and the values of compassion and inclusion we strive to embody. Words have an impact. It was not long ago that Trump used similar rhetoric to summon a violent mob on January 6 to attack the U.S. Capitol.

Trump’s abhorrent and dehumanizing words are a clear preview of what we can expect — and more — should he return to power: the extreme, barbaric and illegal treatment of immigrants along with anyone suspected of being an immigrant.

It is more important than ever that we stand together and strengthen our fight for true representation and the freedom to thrive without fear of discrimination or racial violence.

We must not let hate win.

Kica Matos
President 
NILC Immigrant Justice Fund