CHICAGO — November 7, 2018 — As Midterm election votes continue to be tabulated across the country, current results suggest that the Democratic party will become the majority party in the House, while Republicans will expand their control of the Senate. Across the country, women, African Americans, Native Americans, Muslims, Latinx, immigrant and LGBTQ candidates made history as the “first” elected to represent their districts, while other races suggest the firm entrenchment of the status quo. Oscar Chacón, executive director of Alianza Americas, has issued the following statement:

“Last night provided myriad signs of hope for change, tempered by the enduring realities of the politics of fear: While a Democrat-majority House is a win for our system of checks and balances, it will likely embolden the Trump Administration’s platform of division and xenophobia ahead of 2020 elections. At the same time, the incredible levels of civic engagement–soaring levels of voter turnout, record numbers of candidates from historically underrepresented communities–are shared victories for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation.

There is much to celebrate about yesterday’s election, but we must all remember that the real work for democracy begins today, when we hold these newly elected officials accountable to the people they will represent and serve. This election was, in large part, a referendum on the fear-mongering, hate, scapegoating, and heartbreaking violence that has characterized both this election cycle and our country in recent years. As some results suggest that this platform still has traction with portions of the U.S. electorate, we must redouble our commitment to fact-based, solution-oriented, responsible approaches to electoral campaigning and public policy. We must continue to champion, with increasing urgency, unity, equity, justice, and human rights at all levels of governance.

Alianza Americas calls on all members of Congress to reach across the aisle and across borders in advancing a policy agenda truly centered on the needs of the people. For too long, governments have advanced fear and hatred as distractions from the real work needed to advance economic opportunities, access to healthcare, improved educational outcomes, protections for the displaced, environmental justice, and fair tax policies. Progress on this critical agenda will require true leadership, bipartisanship, and bilateral cooperation, not continued hate and division.

Empowered by the same levels of civic engagement that took people to the polls today, we can work together to ensure that families across the Americas live in communities where they can not just survive, but also thrive.”  

EDITOR’S NOTE: Alianza Americas will convene hundreds of migrant leaders in a public plenary to discuss Midterm elections, migration policy, and transnational human rights. The event, open to the media, will be held on Friday, November 9, from 9am-noon ET at the Washington Court Hotel (525 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington DC). Details here. The session will also be livestreamed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlianzaAmericas/

Alianza Americas is a network of 50 immigrant-led organizations representing more than 100,000 families across the United States. It is the only US-based organization rooted in Latino and Caribbean immigrant communities that works transnationally to create an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable way of life. Learn more at alianzaamericas.org.