Sacramento, CA – On the heels of Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement this morning that he will be withdrawing National Guard troops from California’s shared border with Mexico, Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement:
“California should never play a role in the political fear-mongering of the racist President who has also made our state his favorite punching bag,” said Assemblymember Santiago. “But we know the best way to beat this bully is to push him back and watch him fall – so I am grateful and proud to see Governor Newsom taking a stand. Our precious resources are best spent on addressing real crises, not Trump’s anti-immigrant fantasies and inhumane crusades.”
Last year in June, as press reports revealed the Department of Homeland Security’s horrific practice of separating immigrant parents from their children, Governor Brown acquiesced to President Trump’s request for National Guard troops on California’s shared border with Mexico. At that time, Santiago joined his colleagues in signing a letter urging Brown to rescind his order and pull back the National Guard until the Trump Administration had implemented a plan to reunite families.
“In this dark chapter of American history, California should not play any part in the irreparable trauma being inflecting upon thousands of vulnerable young children,” the letter reads. “California must be clear and unequivocal in its opposition to such policies and should not be complicit in any manner in the ongoing detention and separation of young children from their parents.”
Assemblymember Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly’s Communications and Conveyance Committee, and a member of both the Assembly Public Safety Committee and the California Latino Legislative Caucus. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2019
CONTACT: Jonathan.Underland@asm.ca.gov, (213) 620-4646