For Immediate Release: February 14, 2025
Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
New York, NY – Earlier today, the White House published a meme that belittled immigrant families across the country. In response to this meme, Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation, issued the following response:
The White House’s post on social media on Valentine’s Day is incredibly insulting, especially to immigrant families across the country. It wrongly oversimplifies the plight of immigrants, showing an egregious indifference to the factors that push people to come to the U.S. and demonstrates a brazen disregard for our history as a country that welcomes people yearning to breathe free.
This is an obvious attempt to paint all undocumented immigrants as a danger to our society when the vast majority of undocumented immigrants do not have a criminal record and have been waiting for Congressional action to adjust their status. Furthermore, many people, who some are calling ‘unauthorized,’ have actually been granted permission to be in the United States as they patiently wait for their asylum case to be heard.
Let me be clear, this action from the White House is not a lighthearted joke. Especially to those U.S. citizen children with undocumented parents wondering why the president wants to separate their families or who are wondering why the president hates their families with such intensity.
Immigrants are essential to our economy and our culture. To protect our society from economic turmoil and preserve our Constitution, more people must step up locally and nationally to make it clear that we will not tolerate attacks on our communities or ‘jokes’ about vulnerable communities. Whether it is referring to Puerto Rico as floating island garbage or using memes to make fun of immigrants, this is already a pattern that is beneath the Office of the President of the United States.
As a Queer Puerto Rican in New York, I love the people who make up my community and celebrate our immigrant neighbors. I am proud to stand up to defend the people I love.”
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
