Standing Up for Immigrants and Refugees

Trump’s Muslim Ban, which is proving to have immediate discriminatory effects ranging from tearing families apart, locking dual citizens out of their home nation, and even forcing children to remain in war zones, is an outrage and an insult to the values that we as Americans hold dear.

We are a nation of immigrants and we are a nation rooted in a belief that discrimination is wrong.

Barring refugees fleeing war and persecution – including wars our nation instigated in some cases—is unconscionable.  We know that when we denied Jewish refugees entry at the beginning of World War 2, they were forced to return to the nations they fled, and they were murdered.  Today is no different.

And discriminating on the basis of religion is illegal, immoral, and outrageous.

Among the members of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW are countless immigrants and refugees, green card holders and legal permanent residents, who care for our community’s patients and mental health clients every day.  Trump’s order means these caregivers face travel bans, could be unable to reunite with families, and will face more hate and discrimination in our community.

We will not be silent.  We will stand up for our refugee and immigrant communities and take action on the streets, in the halls of Congress, and at the ballot box to demand better.  America must return to being a nation of conscience.