LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31, 2016 – The CHIRLA Action Fund, the political arm of the largest immigrant rights organization in California, panned news reports that avowed anti-immigrant and GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump was planning a flash field trip to Mexico this Wednesday invited by none other than President Enrique Peña Nieto. Trump is scheduled to deliver a major speech on immigration later on Wednesday in Phoenix, Arizona. The following are comments for Angelica Salas, CHIRLA Action Fund’s board chair.
Lest we forget, immigration is a deadly-serious issue for millions of families living in the United States. Donald Trump is managing to once again hijack the media’s attention and turn a real human crisis into a circus.
Both Donald Trump and President Peña Nieto are clearly tone deaf to the drama facing millions, who because of insecurity, poverty, and violence are forced to flee to the U.S. risking everything for a better life. Immigrants and undocumented immigration have become the convenient political game some politicians on both sides of the border are shamelessly willing to play to win the public’s favor.
What we need to hear from Donald Trump and President Peña Nieto are real solutions to lessen the suffering of millions. Instead, we get free tickets to a circus show.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) was founded in 1986. CHIRLA is a California leader with national impact made of diverse immigrant families and individuals who act as agents of social change to achieve a world with freedom of mobility, full human rights, and true participatory democracy. www.chirla.org