Vanessa Cárdenas Reflects on Historic Week

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Washington, DC — The following is a statement from Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America’s Voice, taking stock of key developments and lessons from last week:

“At the start of last week, I noted how immigration was being used as the ‘tip of the spear’ for this administration’s broad assault on core democratic pillars, their political opponents, and the rule of law. The past few days have again driven home this reality that none of this is business as usual or normal politics.

The abuse of power is everywhere. President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and jail Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson. Stephen Miller’s been asserting limitless presidential power. The politicized Department of Justice indicted another of the president’s political opponents. Last but certainly not least, ICE continues to operate unchecked with a dangerous combination of cruelty and impunity in Chicago and elsewhere.

Yet amidst these disturbing developments, I also have been heartened to watch the growing number of Americans from all different backgrounds and political persuasions who are finding their voice to declare this has gone too far and to call out this administration to stop this dangerous escalation and provocation.

From those speaking out against the dangers of deploying the military to American communities – such as federal judges, retired military voices and Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt; to Pope Leo and other religious leaders reminding us of the dignity of immigrants and the dangers of nativism; to local business, community, and elected officials standing strong in Chicago and Illinois; to the influential Joe Rogan, who this week used his massive platform to call out the ‘horrific’ nature of Trump’s indiscriminate mass deportation crusade. These voices and their denunciations matter.

Our nation is at a tinderbox moment. Now is the time to peacefully resist division, condemn what we’re witnessing and demand better – for immigrants and for each other.”