Julián Castro Led Progressives in the Right Direction

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Bruna Sollod | bruna@unitedwedream.org | 202-850-0812
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“We encourage the rest of the Democratic presidential candidates to take on Castro’s “people first” approach, because any less than what Castro has proposed will not energize the base we need to defeat Trump in November.”

Washington, DC – Today, former Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, Julián Castro announced the end of his bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. 

Secretary Castro was the first candidate of the major 2020 Democratic Primary contenders to release an immigration platform.

Greisa Martinez Rosas, Deputy Executive Director of United We Dream Action, issued the following statement in response: 

“With a powerful and unapologetic voice, Julián Castro changed the debate on immigration. When Castro laid out a plan to end the mass deportation and criminalization of immigrants, when he connected immigration to criminal justice, and when he denounced fund increases to the deportation force of ICE and CBP, he showed other candidates and the rest of the country why our immigration system should first and foremost treat immigrants as human beings. 

It is no small feat that Castro pushed the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to be more progressive on many important issues that impact our communities. Both Castro and immigrant youth of United We Dream Action know that the only immigration reform that works for our communities are those that help people without hurting people like the “Free to Move, Free to Stay” platform. 

Although we are extremely disappointed that Castro will no longer be in the race, we know that his bold, progressive ideas will continue to inspire the people most impacted by the issues. We encourage the remaining 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to take on Castro’s “people first” approach, because any less than what Castro has proposed will not energize the base necessary to defeat Trump in November.” 

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United We Dream Action is the leading national network fighting for dignity and justice led by immigrant youth and allies. We are a dynamic community of thousands of immigrant youth nationwide who build independent political power for those directly impacted by injustice. We organize and take action to win victories so that all people can be safe and thrive.