Atlanta, Georgia, February 15, 2019 — Today, President Trump declared a national emergency to build additional miles of destructive border wall, following Congress’ passage of a bill that allocates an additional $1.375 billion in wall funding.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an affiliation of five civil rights organizations, responds with the following statement:

“President Trump’s shameful declaration is a clear-cut abuse of presidential power and a threat to our democracy. The President manufactured a crisis at the border to drum up support for his failed and unpopular campaign promise.

“The President is only trying to circumvent the Constitution. After Congress refused to give him all the money that he asked for, the President is now trying to funnel billions of taxpayer dollars into an anti-immigrant, xenophobic border wall project that a majority of Americans continue to oppose.

“Asian Americans Advancing Justice is in solidarity with communities at the border who live under oppressive conditions, facing separation and danger every day. That is why we urge Congress to stand firm for our immigrant communities by revoking Trump’s illegal emergency declaration.”