Immigrant Leader on Final Presidential Debate: “If Biden wants us to have his back, we need to know he has ours”

Ahead of the final presidential debate tomorrow, New American Leaders Action Fund Founder and President Sayu Bhojwani shared the following statement, calling for former Vice President Joe Biden to meaningfully address the topic of immigration. 

“In the midst of a global pandemic and economic recession, immigrants are keeping our country running. We are the backbone of this nation and a growing political force. If Joe Biden wins the election, it will be because New Americans and BIPOC communities turned out to vote for him.  

“But Biden and the Democrats cannot take our political power for granted. Although Trump has repeatedly criminalized our communities and called us ‘rapists’ and ‘murderers’ from so-called ‘shithole countries,’ we’ve heard very little from Joe Biden and his campaign on how he will stand with people like us. As an organization, we have endorsed Biden’s campaign and are committed to holding him accountable. As a community, we refuse to be taken for granted and demand answers. 

“After enduring Trump’s abuse for nearly four years, silence from Biden is not an option for our communities. Joe Biden must address the fact that 545 children have been orphaned because of this administration’s cruelty while countless other families have been forever damaged and ripped apart because of family separation; acknowledge the fact that our communities have been routinely terrorized and criminalized by ICE raids and police; and face rising hate because of Trump and his supporter’s white supremacy. He must meaningfully include our communities and the topic of immigration in this final presidential debate if he wants to win our support and turn out the New American vote.

“As the vice president in an administration that deported millions of people like us, we need to know how his policies differ from the Obama administration. We need to know that he will fight to not only expand our rights but work to undo the atrocities committed under the Trump administration.

“Our movement and communities demand acknowledgement in this final debate. If Biden wants us to have his back, we need to know he has ours.”