“America’s moms applaud the Biden administration’s commitment to reuniting the children who were cruelly and unethically taken away from their parents by our federal government, led by President Trump. Families belong together and our country has an urgent responsibility to leave no stone unturned in reuniting those families and doing everything possible to support their recovery from the horrific trauma they have endured.

“We support the review of Trump’s punitive public charge rule, which weaponized health, housing and other vital assistance programs, and of the Migrant Protection Protocols, which recklessly endangered countless lives. But reviews must be expeditious and result in a quick end to the Trump-era policies that jeopardize moms and families.

“We appreciate, as well, Biden’s earlier orders to strengthen DACA (the Deferred Action for Children Arrivals program); end the Muslim ban; and halt construction of the border wall, which stands as a wasteful symbol of hate. And we strongly support the Biden administration’s commitment to creating a fair immigration process that ensures family wellbeing. The Trump administration’s treatment of asylum-seekers and immigrants is a stain our country will never be able to erase, but we commend the Biden administration for taking steps to mitigate the harm – and to treat every immigrant and asylum-seeker with the compassion, dignity and respect they deserve.

”Even as we are grateful for today’s executive actions, moms are horrified that ICE is deporting Black immigrants after a Texas judge stayed President Biden’s badly-needed deportation moratorium. Black immigrants are more likely to be detained and deported than other immigrants. The cruelty and racism that pervades our immigration system must end.”

-Statement of Donna Norton, Executive Vice President, MomsRising

“Every day during the pandemic, immigrants demonstrate the many ways they make our country stronger by doing the essential work we need. Immigrants are vital to our nation’s success. We are thrilled to have a President who understands that and recognizes that diversity makes our country stronger and more secure.

“Moms are pleased with the actions the Biden administration has taken to restore our values and once again welcome immigrants. We are pleased, as well, with action in the private sector including the many banks – now including Regions Bank – that are declining to finance the private prison industry, which has an abysmal record of jeopardizing the safety and health of people who are incarcerated. Banks should invest in the communities they serve, not profit from pain, suffering and racism. The Biden administration has unfinished work in this regard and should immediately extend its ban on renewing contracts for private prisons to the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice.”

 -Statement of Xochitl Oseguera, Vice President, MamásConPoder