ACLU Statement on Trump Administration Immigrant Restrictions

NEW YORK, June 23 -- The American Civil Liberties Union, a 501(c)3 non-profit that works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the U.S., issued the following statement by Andrea Flores, deputy director of immigration policy:

The Trump administration today announced a series of new restrictions on temporary worker visas, a further attack on our nation's immigration system.

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"This is not a COVID-19 response or an economic response. It's the exploitation of a pandemic to institute divisive policies and reshape immigration law, while superseding Congress.

"For months, public health experts have made common-sense recommendations to curb the spread of COVID-19: Release people held in ICE and CBP detention; suspend civil immigration enforcement; and provide access to testing and treatment for everyone who needs it, regardless of immigration status.

"Instead, while ignoring these recommendations, the Trump administration has banned asylum seekers at the border, green card applicants, foreign students, and now even more immigrants, who are instrumental to our nation's economic recovery.

"Congress should immediately investigate the true purpose -- and ramifications -- of these Stephen Miller bans."