Media Contact

Imelda Mejia, ACLU of Texas, 346-299-6803, [email protected]

February 14, 2019

HOUSTON — President Trump announced today that he will sign a national emergency declaration to free up funds to extend a wall along the U.S – Mexico border.

Andre Segura, legal director for the ACLU of Texas, had the following reaction:

“There is no national emergency, except for one of Trump’s own making. Using emergency powers to manipulate funds for political gain is not what our country needs. Border communities in Texas should not bear the brunt of this foolish, expensive stunt that will be viewed by the world as a symbol of hate. The invocation of a national emergency to fulfill a campaign promise flouts values we hold dear as a democracy.”

Astrid Dominguez, director for the ACLU Border Rights Center, added:

“President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency along the U.S.-Mexico border is not based on fact or reality. There is no security crisis at the border. This declaration only reinforces the racist policies he is attempting to use to harm our border communities.”