Reacting to media reports on President Trump’s proposed immigration plan, Joanne Lin, national director of advocacy and government affairs at Amnesty International USA, issued this statement:
“President Trump’s proposed immigration plan is an outrageous attempt to shut doors to everyone but the most wealthy and privileged individuals, circumventing human rights and legal obligations toward asylum-seekers.
“Not only does this plan include the construction of a border wall that serves as a symbol of hatred and xenophobia, it also makes it more difficult for people to receive asylum and humanitarian protection. As a result, many more people could be sent back to harm’s way.
“Instead of attacking and demonizing children and families in search of protection, the Trump administration should discard this proposal and find meaningful solutions for the humanitarian crisis it has created at the border.”