FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan 22, 2025
Los Angeles, CA – Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) strongly condemns the Trump Administration’s overtly racist and anti-immigrant policies, rhetoric, and actions, which undermine the principles of equity, justice, and human dignity. The administration’s harmful agenda disproportionately impacts communities of color, including Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) population which makes up over 7% of the national population- and of which 1.7 million are undocumented, and further divides our nation during a time when unity and compassion are needed most.
In his first day in office, the Trump Administration has pushed forward a series of alarming executive orders and actions, including:
- Closing the southern border to asylum seekers and immigrants, an inhumane policy that cruelly punishes families fleeing violence, poverty, and persecution while perpetuating racist stereotypes about immigrants, especially harmful for Asian and Pacific Islander asylum seekers and migrants that already face heightened levels of discrimination due to lack of language access and culturally competent services.
- Proposing to end birthright citizenship, a fundamental right enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and solidified through the landmark Asian American case U.S. vs Wong Kim Ark, which would unjustly strip millions of their citizenship and create a second class of stateless individuals in America;
- The alleged use of “Sieg Heil” and other Nazi-associated phrases by individuals connected to the administration, a chilling echo of fascist ideologies that have no place in a democratic society and an affront to the memory of those who suffered under such regimes.
“These actions reflect a deeply troubling pattern of racism, xenophobia, and disregard for fundamental human rights consistent with the rhetoric and measures of the first Trump administration,” said Connie Chung Joe, CEO of AJSOCAL. “Closing the southern border and attacking the constitutional right to citizenship are not only cruel but ineffective in addressing the real challenges our immigration system face.”
AJSOCAL will continue to protect the rights of our vulnerable communities through in-language information and legal representation. We will fight to ensure the rights and safety of all community members are protected, working in collaboration with our sibling organizations, policymakers, and others in advocacy and resistance.
For community members concerned about changes in immigration law, we encourage you to visit ajsocal.org/immigration for the latest educational resources and immigration preparedness training. As we continue to see the harmful consequences of these actions, AJSOCAL remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting impacted communities, amplifying their voices, and working toward a more just and inclusive society.
About AJSOCAL
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is dedicated to promoting equity and justice for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other underserved communities. Through direct legal services, advocacy, education, and coalition-building, AJSOCAL aims to create a more just and inclusive society.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Liana Liang, lliang@ajsocal.org, 213.241.0237
Liza Ameen, lameen@ajsocal.org, 213.241.0258
