FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 23, 2018
CONTACT: Elliot Levy, [email protected], 202-800-7409
New York – Following the Trump administration’s announcement of a new ‘public charge’ rule designed to punish immigrants who use public assistance programs, Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, released the following statement:
“This proposal from the Trump administration is their latest heartless attack on immigrants. Punishing immigrants who use public assistance programs to help provide for themselves and their families comes from the same ideology that separates children from their parents and diverts millions of dollars from crucial government programs to finance the indefinite detention of immigrant families.
“This is the Trump agenda: Demonize and punish struggling immigrants while gutting education, health care and Social Security to give massive tax breaks and other kickbacks to the wealthiest Americans. America’s borders must not be open only to the highest bidder; those seeking to unify their families and start new lives here should be welcomed, not rejected based on their economic status.
“The immigrant experience is deeply woven into our Jewish identity, and we unite with the immigrants of today who face unrelenting persecution and threats from the Trump administration.”
