Press Releases
Pingree speaks on House floor about impact of Trump's orders on Maine's immigrant community
Washington, DC,
February 1, 2017
Tells the story of one of her constituents and to speak out against President Trump's un-American immigration orders.
Shortly before President Trump’s inauguration, I met a young woman in my District from Djibouti named Fozia. Fozia had worked with our military as an interpreter. She came to the U.S. for the freedom and safety she couldn’t find in her home country. But as a Muslim and an immigrant, the rhetoric she heard during the election has made her question whether she was welcome here. Since President Trump issued his backdoor ban on Muslim immigrants and halt on all refugees, I’ve thought of Fozia often—as well as thousands of other refugees and asylees who underwent arduous journeys and thorough vetting to make Maine their home. These good people have enriched our state in many ways, raising families and filling a vital need in our aging workforce. They live in New England cities with French names built by Irish laborers—reminders of the many generations of immigrants who came here for a better life and helped make our country great. Trump’s order is likely unconstitutional. But it is without a doubt un-American. This Congress is guilty of the same sin if we don’t do everything in our power to stop it. |
