WASHINGTON, D.C. – FWD.us President Todd Schulte issued the following statement today following President Trump’s series of executive orders regarding immigration:

"As a bipartisan organization with a mission to advance commonsense and long-overdue reforms to our failed criminal justice and immigration systems, we remain clear-eyed in the work before us. We continue to be committed to working with a broad coalition of policymakers and stakeholders to socialize and advance the policy solutions that will benefit all Americans and help move the country forward.

"Today’s executive actions on immigration move us quickly in the wrong direction. Eliminating safe, orderly, legal immigration avenues like humanitarian parole and the U.S. refugee admissions program will only drive people to choose irregular migration options. Attempting to reinterpret the 14th Amendment’s clear guarantee of Birthright Citizenship is unconstitutional and would harm—not help—immigrants fully contributing to this country.

"Instead, both parties should use evidence-based policies to build a more modern approach to immigration and a secure border. Necessary reforms include providing undocumented immigrants, who are building their lives in the U.S., a pathway to citizenship so they can have more opportunities to fully integrate and contribute.

"For over a decade, we have worked across the aisle in jurisdictions across the country and supported policies under both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations, and we will continue to do so. What is most urgent to us in this consequential moment is the need to rebuild trust with the American people on issues that, left unaddressed, are most vulnerable to the political weaponization that divides and lessens us."