FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 17, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement:

“Long before he retook office, we knew Donald Trump’s war against immigrants would never be limited to his sadistic obsession with certain undocumented people. Secretary Rubio’s recent announcement that immigrant visas for 75 countries, most of which are majority populated by persons of color, is just another chapter in the Trump Administration’s long crusade of xenophobic cruelty against the most vulnerable people in the world. 

“Time and time again, this White House tries to masquerade its prejudices as policy and pretend that its actions are in the legitimate interests of Americans’ needs. As if an administration that slashes public benefit assistance at every opportunity truly cares about the hunger and economic stability of the American people. As if an administration that habitually breaks the law to inflict maximum harm on our immigrant neighbors could ever have a motive centered in anything but nationalist hysteria.

“I, like Secretary Rubio, am a child of immigrants. Who I am is inseparable from who I come from. No matter how desperately Mr. Rubio rejects his identity, the same will always be true for him. With this bigoted action, he has not only betrayed all those from around our world who believed in the American dream, he has betrayed his very heritage as a Cuban-American. I suggest that Marco Rubio take a look in the mirror. If his parents were treated the way immigrants are being treated under his leadership, he would never have had the opportunity to be referred to as Secretary Rubio.

“I demand Secretary Rubio to reverse this racist policy immediately. He should promptly apologize for the pain, confusion, and heartbreak that he has already inflicted on families and their communities all across these United States.”

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