For Immediate Release
April 26, 2017
Contact: Amy Lebowitz, Camino PR
212.255.2575 / amy@caminopr.com
NEW YORK — San Francisco Judge William H. Orrick issued a temporary injunction to President Trump’s executive order that would withhold federal funds from “sanctuary cities” — cities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in their localities. The city of San Francisco sued earlier in the year claiming that the executive order violated state and local rights by undermining local law enforcement and potentially creating a public safety concern. National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) Interim Executive Director Sung Yeon Choimorrow issued the following statement in response:
“We applaud the courts for continuing to do their job and providing the necessary checks and balances that challenge the unconstitutional and unconscionable orders put forth by the current administration. While President Trump moves forward with his anti-immigrant agenda, we stand firm in our resistance, fighting for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) immigrants in our communities.
“There are over 5 million immigrant AAPI women in the U.S. and approximately half a million undocumented AAPI women. Safety for AAPI women, transgender and gender non-conforming immigrants is core for members of our community to define and have sovereignty over their bodies and lives. Sanctuary cities are one way in which cities and localities can continue to protect vulnerable members of our community. Already this year we have seen immigrant women and transgender people detained in what should be safe spaces — churches, courthouses and hospitals. All people deserve to live safe and healthy lives, and removing federal funds to sanctuary cities does not provide security.
“We know that women, transgender and gender non-conforming people experience disproportionate rates of violence. This is even truer for those who also identify as immigrantsand undocumented. We need policies that support members of our community when they seek safety, justice, protection and care. While we celebrate the ruling by Judge Orrick, NAPAWF remains steadfast in our commitment to support and uplift immigrant communities and resist all forms of gender and racial oppression that threaten the civil liberties of AAPI women, transgender and gender non-conforming people.”