Quijano Statement on the Recent Executive Order and Directive Which Target Sanctuary Jurisdictions and “Sensitive” Areas
(TRENTON) – It is deeply troubling to witness in real time how the same country that has offered so many opportunities to so many generations of families is now pursuing policies that threaten to take those opportunities away. These actions and their effects undermine our nation’s values, particularly the sentiment etched into the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” By rescinding the designation of sanctuary cities and sensitive spaces, individuals lose their sense of safety and security, eroding their hope in the promise of the American Dream.
The United States should not be synonymous with fear and division. It should stand as a beacon of hope, compassion, and inclusion. The President’s Executive Order seeks to financially penalize sanctuary jurisdictions and unfairly target any local government that the federal government deems to be obstructing immigration enforcement. This policy disregards the protections that are critical for immigrants who are seeking refuge in this country. These individuals are not criminals; they are people who have faced significant hardships and are simply looking for a place where they can live safely and pursue a better future.
Moreover, the directive from the Department of Homeland Security to enforce these laws near “sensitive” areas, overturning previous policy, threatens the safety and trust these spaces provide. The presence of immigration officials in schools, hospitals, places of worship, shelters, and other protected areas—equipped with military gear—only breeds fear and anxiety.
A student should be able to attend school without the added stress that their school could be raided at any time, just as a patient should be able to seek care without the fear of being separated from their family. Places of worship, whether they be a church, mosque, synagogue, or a religious ceremony like a funeral or wedding, should always be sanctuaries of peace, never tainted by the threat of harm. As we confront ongoing climate and other natural disasters, everyone, regardless of citizenship, should be able to seek relief without the fear of deportation.
In the end, this policy will harm not only immigrants but also the communities and institutions that are supposed to offer them protection and support. |