NEWS RELEASE – STATEMENT
Virginia Interfaith Center Condemns Trump’s “Inhumane” Policy
“The rich may struggle to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but they’ll have an easier time getting into the United States, based on the Trump Administration’s new policy for “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds,” says Kim Bobo, Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, which opposes the proposed policy. Bobo calls the policy “inhumane.”
The new “public charge” policy, which appeared today on the Federal Register’s website, was proposed months ago for public comment and the comments were overwhelmingly in opposition. Nonetheless, the Trump Administration has moved forward with the proposal as part of its anti-immigrant program.
The 837-page document contains a lot of information, but essentially it allows the Department of Homeland Security to deny legal entry to immigrants whom it thinks could become a “public charge,” meaning they might need food stamps, housing assistance or other public services to survive or to deny citizenship to those who are legal and trying to get citizenship if they have used public services.
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy condemns this new policy. The famous Statue of Liberty statement, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” is no longer our policy. “This policy change undermines the core values of the United States and all our faith traditions,” says Ms. Julie Swanson, Board President of the Virginia Interfaith Center.
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy invites congregations and individuals wishing to “welcome the immigrant’’ to join with the organization to help register people to vote, advocate just immigration policies and stand with immigrants in their communities.
Media contact: Roberta Oster
Communications Director
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org
804-615-4192
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates economic, racial, social, and environmental justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action. VICPP is a non-partisan coalition of more than 700 faith communities working for a more just society.