For Immediate Release
Contact: bpacheco@nylag.org | c: 917.771.9845
(NEW YORK, NY) February 15, 2019: President Trump declared a national emergency on the border with Mexico on Friday in order to access billions of dollars that Congress refused to give him to build a wall there. The New York Legal Assistance Group’s (NYLAG) spokesperson Brian Pacheco has issued the following statement:
“As lawyers, we look at facts. The truth is that border crossings are not at crisis levels, they are actually declining. The wall and the ideology behind it are thinly veiled attempts to vilify immigrants who often flee their home countries because of violence and are seeking safety and opportunity.”
“We see firsthand via our clients and their loved ones how recent changes are negatively impacting those who are lawfully and rightfully seeking asylum. We say ‘no’ to the wall.”
About NYLAG
Founded in 1990, the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) is a leading not-for-profit legal services organization advocating for adults, children, and families that are experiencing poverty or have low-income. We address emerging and urgent needs with comprehensive, free civil legal services, direct representation, impact litigation, policy advocacy, financial counseling, a medical-legal partnership model, and community education and partnerships.
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