The immigrant community in the U.S. took a blow after the Supreme Court’s split 4-4 decision Thursday (June 23) to prevent President Barack Obama’s immigration policy — which would protect millions of undocumented immigrants, mostly Latinos, from deportation — from taking effect during his presidential term.
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A “heartbreaking decision for the millions of undocumented families who made their lives here, raised their families here who hoped for an opportunity to work, pay taxes and serve in our military and more fully contribute to this country,” said Obama, who has been actively pushing for immigration reform.
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Latin artists such as Ozomatli, Carla Morrison, Becky G and Los Tigres del Norte, who don’t shy away from political issues, condemned the ruling and, through a statements sent to Billboard, expressed solidarity with the immigrant community.
“The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the deep divide in this country regarding immigration. We believe that it raises the stakes in the upcoming presidential election and encourage all to voice their opinion at the ballot box, in contacting your elected representatives or in protest. We in Ozomatli believe that immigrants highlight the best of humanity, demonstrating the will to not only to survive, but to succeed and thrive. We also believe that the choice of learning how to live with one another is an inevitable task that is better to choose now rather than later.” – Raul Pacheco, Ozomatli
“This is a very sad moment for all my brothers and sisters in the US. If you need a tag for me, use Mexican but i am really a citizen of the world, just like everyone else. I know for a fact that the reason behind immigrants leaving their native country is far more important then anything we could ever imagine. Its survival, its equality, its dreams, its a life we all want and only some of us have the courage to fight for. In my heart I really hope that one day we can see far more than economical interests, borders, and walls and seek more for a planet interested and invested in a more harmonious and loving way of life. At the end of the day we need support as humans, we need to recognize that this is not about who is who, but we as a planet. We need to come together and give ourselves the opportunity to be valuable and live a life without fear and free to help one another. This is not about immigrants, this is about our rights as human beings and being valued in every little corner of this world that is ours, to live and to reciprocate a more loving way for generations to come.” – Carla Morrison
“We are heartbroken that an issue so important to thousands of families across this nation will remain unresolved. In this nation of immigrants, it is unconscionable to have families torn apart. We need to raise our voice together to demand that this matter be resolved as soon as possible in a just and humane way so that our immigrant brothers and sisters can continue contributing to this great country.” – Los Tigres del Norte
“My grandparents are immigrants, so it’s heartbreaking to see so many people, some as young and ambitious as me, threatened with deportation. They just want to provide their families with a better chance at life. Isn’t that what we all strive for, on a human level?” – Becky G