Equality Federation stands in solidarity with immigrants, refugees, and their families today as the Trump Administration launches an attack on millions of people’s freedoms and civil liberties.

The President’s executive order to increase deportations, defund sanctuary cities, and build a wall will tear families apart, sow fear and discontent in immigrant communities, and send a terrible message to our closest neighbors and allies.

Keeping families – all families – together makes our country stronger. Sanctuary cities ensure that immigrants have fair and equal access to due process and protection from domestic violence and other abuse. We should be building bridges with our allies in Mexico and Central America, not walls to separate us.

People from around the world, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people, have long sought refuge and and a better life in America, but today the President sent a strong message that they are not welcome. This could be a death sentence for people who are fleeing dangerous, discriminatory conditions.

From executive orders such as this one to state laws and municipal ordinances, Equality Federation will continue to stand against policies that divide us because we believe that everyone–no matter their religion, nationality, sexuality, gender identity or the color of their skin–deserves safety, opportunity, and equality in the community they call home.