Everyone deserves access to the Bill of Rights—AOC

Latest

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

 
Editor’s note: Below are comments to the media by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez following Trump’s State of the Union address last February 5.
Earlier this week, we heard the State of the Union address inside the capitol building. We heard the president say that he likes quote-unquote “legal immigration.” But that is a lie. The president does not like any form of immigration. He has been cutting down and imposing restrictions on legal forms, on the Diversity Visa lottery, on family reunification, and so on. He’s ending Temporary Protected Status. He’s ending DACA protections for Dreamers. And in doing so he’s taking away the documented status for thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Americans. In doing so, he’s criminalizing a whole population of people in the U.S.
And now he’s asking for $5 billion to continue to militarize and weaponize a force that has zero accountability. And whose [Homeland Security] secretary has no idea how many children are dying in her own care, dying on her watch. And who has the audacity to ask for more money to fund that. I don’t think so. I don’t think so. Not only will we not agree to fund that, but we are here to say that an agency like ICE, which repeatedly and systematically violates human rights, does not deserve a dime. Until they can prove that they are honoring human rights. Until they can make a good faith effort to expand and embrace immigrants.
Immigrants have always been a part and a core element of American democracy. Until they can prove good faith to this American ideal, they [ICD] do not deserve any resources for their radical agenda. We have to have respect for children. We have to have respect for families, respect for human rights and respect for the right of human mobility. Because it is a right. It is a right. Because we are standing on Native land and Latino people are descendants of Native people. And we cannot be criminalized simply for our identity or our status – period.

Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin, who died in ICE custody.

I will not commit one dollar – not one dollar – to an agency [Homeland Security] who allowed a [7-year-old] child to die, when they were entrusted to take care of Jakelin Caal. I will not give one dollar to a secretary who does not care about her detention facilities, that thinks some people in this country are deserving of constitutional protections and others are not.
We are a nation and a land of laws. Not just some people are subject to laws and others are not. And being a land of laws means that every person that steps foot on this soil deserves the consideration of due process. They deserve the protections. They deserve access to our Bill of Rights. That is what makes this country special. That is what makes America special. Not who is here but who we are.

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Speakers Listed for April 22 Webinar on Mass Deportations

The speakers for an April 22 webinar on the resistance to mass deportations have been announced. See the speaker biographies and registration information.

Bring Union Brother Kilmar Home: His Deportation Is an Attack on All of Us

The deportation of union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a gut punch to the labor movement, a slap in the face to every worker who dares to organize.

Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame Inducts 11 Journalists

Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame selects 11 journalists in its 2025 class. See speech from one of the 11, Daymon J. Hartley, who has contributed photos from the front lines to the People's Tribune for decades.

April 22 Webinar Will Explore Resistance to Mass Deportations

On April 22, the Zooming to the Border Coalition, which includes the People's Tribune and Tribuno del Pueblo, will hold a webinar titled Zooming to the Resistance Against Mass Deportations. A group of activists will share their experiences in resisting the government's assault on immigrants.

‘Oligarchs are Deeply Tied to Both Parties,’ says MI State Rep. at ‘Hands Off’ Protest

MI State Rep. Dylan Wegela tells protesters to prevent people like Trump from coming to power we have to fight for people, not corporations. And to win, Democrats cannot be complicit in the oligarchy.

More from the People's Tribune