Immigrant Rights, Not Divisive Rhetoric That Pits African-Americans Against Immigrants

NATIONAL BLACK NETWORK CALLS FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS, NOT DIVISIVE RHETORIC THAT PITS AFRICAN-AMERICANS AGAINST IMMIGRANTS

[WASHINGTON, DC] Citing a unique opportunity for unity rather than divisive rhetoric, the Black Immigration Network, (BIN), a national network of Black immigrants from across the African Diaspora and African Americans, rejects the mischaracterization and misinformation of the African American Leadership Council (AALC) and its members of shared about the negative impact on migration on the African American community.

As many African Americans recognize the root causes of black disenfranchisement is not immigration, but rather the impact of institutional and systemic racism still pervasive in U.S. economic and social policies, such as the lack of investment in public schools, attacks on unions, all of which would close persistent achievement gaps. Moreover, African Americans and immigrants of color are being pitted against each other in government and corporate policies to the benefit of the rich and political elites.

The African American Leadership Council, and other front groups from the John Tanton Network, have been in opposition to immigrant rights for years, often citing false studies and reports to support a stance that promotes bigotry, scapegoating and ignorance. The AALC group does not reflect the diverse opinions and voices of most African Americans as supporters of fair and just immigration legislation.

A 2012 exit poll conducted by the Washington Post showed that as a group, African Americans showed the highest support (81%) for the legal status of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, even polling higher than Latinos at 77%.  Indeed, noted Civil Rights leaders view immigration reform as the civil rights issue of this period. African Americans, like most Americans, support comprehensive immigration reform, and reject any measures that further criminalize immigrants and infringe upon people’s right to human dignity.

The Black Immigrant Network (BIN) believes in an open and honest discourse concerning Black immigrant and African American communities on a shared history of struggles and the present day reality. BIN seeks to uplift the commonalities and unity of these groups, and shed light on the effects of forced and economic migration. BIN’s own policy recommendations for immigration reform advocates for a reasonable path to citizenship for immigrants and their families, protects diversity visas, supports the de-militarization borders and puts an end to deportation.

For more information on BIN, or a copy of its Principles on Immigration Reform, please visit www.blackimmigration.net