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Identity

'Rectify. There Is Still Time to Rectify'

This is why I oppose Trump's immigration restrictions.
Photo by Melanie Metz

This interview is part of Broadly's Voices Against the Ban series. You can read more of these voices here.

Broadly: Why do you oppose Trump's immigration restrictions?

Rosa, 59, Barcelona/Miami: I am an immigrant and I am here because I was very sad to see our Mayor Gimenez not opposing Trump's immigration policies and the ban on all of the Muslim countries. I was very emotional when I heard the mayors of New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco… and then our mayor saying yes to everything Trump says. I was really upset about that. I think mayor Gimenez is a nice guy and that he has done a good job for our county. I have supported him in the past. I actually asked my children to vote for him. Now, I am pretty disappointed in him. He's an immigrant. This country welcomed him with open arms. This country welcomed me with open arms in 1980. I became an American citizen in '96 and I have always believed that this was the country for all. These policies now of closing the borders… I don't agree and I am very sad about it.

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How do these new restrictions impact you or your loved ones?

It doesn't affect me directly at all because I have an American passport, but I have solidarity for the people who want to come to this country. I just would like to be proud of my mayor and I'm not right now.

"If I could say anything to Trump about the immigration restrictions, I would say…"

Rectify. There is still time to rectify. Very wise people rectify.

This interview has been edited and condensed.