LULAC Statement on New Executive Orders on Border Wall and Sanctuary Cities

January 25, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Trump signed two controversial executive orders regarding the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and penalties for sanctuary cities. The proposed wall would extend along the southern border and would cost as much as 38 billion dollars.

“Mexico is one of our closest allies," said LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr. "Building a border wall sends the wrong message to an important economic trading partner. It is a message of mistrust and hostility. Mexican immigration to the United States is at net zero and the potential threat of the border serving as an entry point for terrorism is extremely low. Despite these facts, the Trump administration seems intent on wasting taxpayer money on a border wall. It would be better served by investing those dollars in cost-effective law enforcement methods and collaborating on enforcement with the Mexican government.”

The Trump Administration is also targeting municipalities that decline to cooperate with federal immigration agents by refusing to detain individuals based on immigration status.

“Targeting sanctuary cities will only further damage the relationship between immigrant communities and local law enforcement officials by creating an environment of mistrust and fear,” said LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes. "Such actions will only serve to push millions of hardworking immigrants into the shadows. LULAC will continue to advocate for the dignity of all immigrants and will aggressively oppose any efforts that attack sanctuary cities, repeal DACA, or initiate mass deportations.”

###

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.