Statement by Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs:

“If Majority Leader McConnell’s announcement on the Senate floor is accurate, President Trump is about to declare a fake emergency in order to build more border barriers than Congress voted to fund. There are emergencies of his Administration’s making: families unable to seek asylum, far too many immigrants detained, children languishing in harmful detention sites. But there is no emergency that justifies more miles of wall. There is ample evidence more barriers will not lessen drug smuggling or crime, or deter families presenting themselves at entry points, desperate to escape violence. The Coalition on Human Needs hopes that Members of Congress will assert the rule of law and oppose in every way they can the President’s assumption of unwarranted dictatorial powers.”