Latina Leaders Call on Ciatarelli-Allen Campaign to Stop Spreading Misinformation About COVID-19 

Xenophobic and dog-whistle statements blaming the undocumented for recent  

spread of COVID -19 puts our NJ Latino communities at risk 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Califon, NJ. August 12, 2021. 

The statements made by Republican lieutenant gubernatorial nominee Diane Allen linking undocumented migration and increase in Covid-19 cases is irresponsible and dangerous for the health of our communities right here in New Jersey.

These statements have already been debunked as false by health experts and fact-checkers. Public officials have a responsibility to educate the public on health facts and to encourage them to follow all health directives.

Using debunked information attacking undocumented immigrants for spread of a deadly disease only increases the likelihood that those communities targeted will not seek help when sick and will not seek the vaccine to help them stay healthy.

NJ is home to 460,000 undocumented workers, who are parents to 127,000 US born children. During the pandemic, they continued to go to work and got sick and many died so that middle class families in NJ could work from home and be safe.

These undocumented workers are our essential workers. They live in our cities and neighborhoods. They work in our restaurants, distribution centers, elder-care centers and in our homes. Their children attend our schools and play in our playgrounds.

Sen Allen’s recent statements are a dog-whistle to extreme sectors of the NJ GOP in the manner of former President Trump. Those types of extreme politics have no place in New Jersey. A recent Monmouth Poll revealed that NJ residents support their undocumented immigrant neighbors; that support has increased from 49% in 2009, to 76% in 2021.

“Sen Allen has a record of being a moderate for supporting women in politics. As women leaders and mothers in New Jersey, we call on Sen. Allen to retract such damaging comments as they endanger the health of our families,” states Latina Civic President Patricia Campos-Medina. “In times of a public health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, elected officials and those seeking to lead our state ought to educate the public with facts and not continue a campaign of misinformation and xenophobia against our immigrant families.”

NJ Latino communities continues to have the lowest record of vaccinations and the lowest record of access to health insurance. Elected officials, and those looking to lead New Jersey, should focus their time in educating the public to follow CDC protocols so all NJ residents can feel safe and can stay healthy. Spreading misinformation is a dis-service to every New Jersey citizen.

It is time to protect all of us and not to scapegoat our immigrant community for political gain.