E Pluribus Unum (“out of many, one”) became a motto in the United States adopted by a group of people who fled other countries to form a new one. I believe it is more important today than it was then.

I am opposed to the deliberate and cruel political strategy of demonizing immigrants and other vulnerable groups in our society.

There is no justification for the inhumane treatment of people under the care of the U.S. government. I will do all in my power to halt the separation of immigrant children from their parents, to prevent immigrants from being detained under brutal conditions and to ensure that those fleeing violence and persecution can find asylum and welcome in our country.

Let’s be clear.

Immigrants aren’t responsible for NAFTA and the trade policies that have encouraged the loss of American jobs. Immigrants didn’t sign off on Trump’s $91 billion corporate tax cut. Immigrants aren’t the ones trying to take away healthcare access for people with pre-existing conditions. Immigrants aren’t the ones refusing to pay black lung benefits. Immigrants aren’t the reasons our roads are crumbling or why our young people are fleeing the state.

This campaign will defend American decency. Those who seek to divide us – the wealthy elite and their chosen politicians – must be met with the force of America’s democratic values, values that must be learned and remembered every day or they will perish.