Press Statement, January 31, 2017
Migrant Workers Unite to Defend Our Communities Against Trump’s Tyranny!
The International Migrants Alliance-USA (IMA-US) strongly condemns US President Donald Trump’s fascist executive orders which have detained hundreds of immigrants and Muslims at international airports and increased immigration raids across the country.
In his first week in office, Trump has suspended the entry of refugees, visa holders, and even legal permanent residents from seven Muslim-majority countries - Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Syria. His multi-pronged orders on border security and immigration enforcement included: the construction of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, hiring of 5,000 more Border Patrol agents; hiring of 10,000 new ICE officers, subject to availability of funds, stopping the “catch and release” practice; empowering state and local law enforcement to act as immigration officers, stripping off federal grants to sanctuary cities that assist migrants, etc.
According to IMA Vice-Chairperson Antonio Arizaga, “One of Trump’s executive orders expands the list of removal or deportation by targeting not only undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions but also anyone “charged with criminal offense, where such charge has not been resolved” and anyone who “committed acts that constitute a chargeable offense” Isn’t this profiling? Where is the principle of due process in this new EO?”
Shifting the Blame for the Crisis to Migrants, Minorities
Arizaga further noted that “Trump’s xenophobia, Anti-islamism and bigotry seeks to shift the blame the cause of the economic crisis towards migrants and other minorities. It is the ruling class that created the crisis because of their neoliberal policies. His EOs mislead the rest of the US working class from the real core issues of wage depression, job market constriction and the wanton violation of individual and collective rights.”
“The nightmare of a racist and xenophobic regime in Washington is now the reality we must confront, as Trump unleashes his promised attacks on people in the US and around the world.” states Terry Valen, a member of the IMA International Coordinating Board based in San Francisco.
“While implementing his ban on Muslims coming into the U.S., his plans to build a wall on the Mexican border, and his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, he is also appointing some of the most hateful and divisive cronies to lead key government agencies under his administration who, if not opposed and blocked, will roll back progress on the environment, education, healthcare, due process, civil rights, LGBTQ equality, and so many other issues,” Valen continued.
IMA pointed to Trump’s economic, political and militaristic foreign policy agenda will spell even worse disaster for developing countries suffering under the failed policy of neoliberalism, the Climate Crisis, and intensifying inter-imperialist wars, and will only aggravate the recent explosion of forced migration and refugee crisis.
Migrants Resist!
Migrants are quickly resisting in the millions across the U.S. and around the world to almost every aspect of Trump’s political platform. New coalitions and mobilizations are forming every week to build connections across issues and communities.
“We need to continue to deepen and grow our solidarity between movements and people’s struggles all over the world. This upsurge in resistance to this fascist face of history’s most dominant imperialist power, has led to the largest mobilization in U.S. history during the women’s march on January 21st. It has led to airport shutdowns that crippled travel and forced bureaucratic defiance of Trump’s executive order to free Muslim travelers and their families,” Arizaga stated.
“This resistance will be the key to stopping Trump and his border walls, his racist and bigoted travel bans, and his inhumane deportation of migrants and rejection of refugees. Through the International Migrants Alliance, we will continue to bring migrants voices to the forefront of this struggle for our freedom and liberation, here and around the world. We have no other choice.”
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The International Migrants’ Alliance (IMA) is the first-ever global alliance of organizations of grassroots migrants, refugees and displaced peoples. Established in June 2008, the IMA aims to strengthen and put forward the voice of the grassroots migrants on issues affecting them and their families. From issues of remittance to rights and welfare to the resolution of forced labor migration, the IMA lays down its analysis from the grassroots migrants’ point of view and challenge the current system and its mechanisms. Currently, the IMA has more than 120 member organizations from more than 30 countries worldwide.
References:
Antonio Arizaga, Vice-Chairperson, antonioarizaga@hotmail.com
Terry Valen, US Rep. to the International Coordinating Body, terrencevalen@yahoo.com
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Eni Lestari
Chairperson, International Migrants Alliance (IMA)
Spokesperson, Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB)
Coordinator, United Indonesian Migrants Against Overcharging (PILAR-HK)
Pengurus, Jaringan BMI Cabut UUPPTKILN No. 39/2004 (JBMI-Hong Kong & Macau)