Immigration Hub on the Fifth Anniversary of the El Paso Shooting

WASHINGTON, DC – Kerri Talbot, Executive Director of the Immigration Hub, issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas:

“Five years ago, our nation was devastated by a targeted, hate-fueled act of violence that stole the lives of 23 innocent people in El Paso in what became the deadliest anti-Latino attack in modern U.S history. 

As we mourn with the community of El Paso and honor the victims and survivors, we also recognize that the rhetoric fully embraced by today’s Republican party is the same rhetoric that fueled this senseless act of violence. As long as Republican members of Congress, GOP candidates and advertisements, and right-wing media outlets continue to peddle these xenophobic and white nationalist conspiracy theories, immigrant communities and American families alike will remain at risk.

Thankfully, polling shows that a majority of voters are opposed to this hateful, fear-mongering rhetoric. We hope that this November, voters will reject it at the ballot box. Today, we not only admire the resilience that El Pasoans have demonstrated over the past five years but also acknowledge the need for our leaders to do better. As the nation faces yet another pivotal election, let us come unite around policy solutions that promote safety and security, counter racism and violence, and ultimately recognize the strength that diversity brings to our nation. The future of democracy hinges on us sending the powerful message that hate has no place in America.”

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.