STOP THE MEXICO TARIFFS AND HOLD DHS TO ACCOUNT. CONGRESS DO YOUR JOB.
ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
I oppose Trump’s tariffs on Mexico. Congress must not allow Trump to consider Mexico an enemy under the International Emergency Economic Act, and then impose tariffs as if migrant families were “an extraordinary threat” caused by Mexico. Congress also must use its oversight powers to bring DHS to account following Inspector General’s report on inhumane practices at the border. Thank you.
CALL SENATOR MERKLEY
CALL SENATOR WYDEN
ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS
Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here.
SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
I oppose Trump’s tariffs on Mexico. Congress must not allow Trump to consider Mexico an enemy under the International Emergency Economic Act, and then impose tariffs as if migrant families were “an extraordinary threat” caused by Mexico. Congress also must use its oversight powers to bring DHS to account following Inspector General’s report on inhumane practices at the border. Thank you.
CALL SUZANNE BONAMICI (OR-01)
CALL GREG WALDEN (OR-02)
CALL BLUMENAUER (OR-03)
CALL PETER DEFAZIO (OR-04)
CALL KURT SCHRADER (OR-05)
BACKGROUND:
Last week Trump announced 5% tariffs starting June 10, escalating to 25% by Oct. 1 if Mexico does not stop the flow of migrants. This on the day Mexico reluctantly signed a revised NAFTA to avoid tariffs.
Trump claimed authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, which allows Presidents to sanction enemies making “unusual and extraordinary threats.” Mexico is not our enemy and is not threatening us.
Congress must overturn Trump’s misinterpretation. If not, Trump and future Presidents can impose tariffs on any country at will. Trump also gave himself sole discretion to lift the tariffs—another bad precedent.
No government will sign trade agreements with an America run by an economic despot.
Trump exacerbated a border problem by slowing down processing and packing people into dangerously overcrowded facilities.
The DHS Inspector General found 900 people packed like sardines in one facility meant for 125. Some have to stand on toilets for air. Conditions are squalid. Agents throw their belongings in the trash at intake.
Congress must stop Trump. Overturn the tariffs against Mexico. Force ICE to stop choking off processing with its “queue management” policy and expose its inhumanity.
SOURCES:
Inspector General report on overcrowing at El Paso facility:
Tariffs and aid cuts:
Nine questions on the border crisis you were too embarrassed to ask: https://www.vox.com/2019/4/11/18290677/border-immigration-illegal-asylum-central-america-mexico-trump
Deaths in custody:
22 immigrants die in custody January 2017- January 2019: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/22-immigrants-died-ice-detention-centers-during-past-2-years-n954781
Second transgender person raises number to at least 23: https://planettransgender.com/johana-medina-transgender-refugee-dies-in-ice-custody-on-first-day-of-pride/?cn-reloaded=1
At least three children die in 2019, raising number closer to 26:
