Statement of Mary Meg McCarthy, executive director, National Immigrant Justice Center

"We are appalled and ashamed by President Trump’s racist comments referring to the homelands of our African and Haitian clients, neighbors, brothers and sisters. The National Immigrant Justice Center wants all immigrants in the United States to know they are valued members of our communities and families and we will continue to fight to defend their rights. We call on Congress to rise above the white nationalist agenda of the president and some legislators and pass laws, including a clean Dream Act, that provide permanent legal protections for all immigrants in the United States. As for the president, an immediate apology is in order.”