WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to President Trump’s State of the Union address, the following is a statement from Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum:
“President Trump tonight used fear rather than facts to paint an inaccurate picture of our southern border and manufacture a crisis where none exists.
“The truth is that our southern border has never been more secure, and the overwhelming majority of drugs smuggled across our border come in through ports of entry — a border wall would neither make us safer nor stop drug smugglers.
“Smart border security is making sure border ports of entry have the resources, technology and personnel to keep us safe, facilitate trade and process immigration.
“If President Trump really wants to put American interests at the forefront, he should focus on opening the door to constructive negotiations with Congress to find sustainable immigration solutions that strengthen our economy and keep us safe.
“A compromise that allows Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status recipients to continue contributing permanently while enhancing our border security by investing in ports of entry would unite two proposals the overwhelming majority of Americans support, and has the potential to unite lawmakers across the political spectrum.”