There are nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., and according to Migration Policy Institute, nearly 60 percent of them have been here for over a decade. But the Trump administration has declared war on these individuals, leading to the shooting death of a 20-year-old graduate by an ICE agent, the separation of children from their families and the planned revocation of the Obama-era initiative to protect children who may have immigrated illegally.
The targeting of immigrants has led to a general state of terror and fear within immigrant communities. Here's how you can have their back:
1. Volunteer
For those who do live in border states, organizations such as Texas Civil Rights Project are actively looking for volunteers who are willing to complete tasks like organizing legal intake and interviewing families. Spanish speakers and legal experience are a plus.
2. Donate
If you don't live in a border state where you can volunteer, you can always donate. The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights and, of course, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are all worthy organizations.
There are also many on-the-ground organizations such as Mariposas Sin Fronteras (Butterflies Without Borders), Border Angels and Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). You can always find out what local organizations are working based on your state, city and county.
3. Write Letters to the Media
Vicki Gaubeca, the director of Southern Border Communities Coalition, is encouraging the public to bombard the media with editorial letters and pieces on the utter inhumanity of the family separation policy.
“If you think about what the Republican Party has stood for, it’s family values and protecting children, so it seems contradictory that they’re engaging in this enforcement activity of ripping kids from their families,” she told the Cut. “It’s really troubling to see that an administration can be so callous. It’s beyond the pale.”
4. Protest
No matter how ineffective people say protesting is, community organizing always sends a message. Protesting puts pressure on leaders to work toward making the necessary change on a national level. Protesting is what got the conversation about DACA started back in 2017 as the Trump administration tried to repeal it quietly.
5. Talk to Elected Officials
The officials we elect are there to represent us. Make them understand this is not what we support. To find out your local representatives, you can click here, and if you're unsure of what should be said, the ACLU has you covered with a script.
“The general public needs to make their elected representatives know that they will not tolerate this treatment for anyone, let alone victims of persecution,” Manoj Govindaiah, the director of Family Detention Services at RAICES, says. “We recommend that the general public contact their elected officials and express their outrage against these policies.” He also suggests that people arrange and organize meetings with their elected officials when they’re in their home states during congressional recesses “to speak in person about how these policies have affected themselves and their families.”
6. Get Educated on Immigrant Rights
Organizations like the ACLU and the National Immigrant Justice Center have put together detailed explanations of how a local bystander can help immigrants in different situations. Knowing how may stop an immigrant from being deported.
7. Work With Organizations Specifically Helping Child Immigrants
Author and blogger Glennon Doyle organized Together Rising Love Flash Mob through her non-profit organization, and the fundraising effort will provide bilingual legal and advocacy assistance for 60 children, aged 12 months to 10 years, currently separated from their parents in an Arizona detention center. Their priority will be to establish and maintain contact between children and their parents, with the ultimate goal of reunification and safety and rehabilitation for the children.
If you are an immigrant or know someone who needs assistance, below are additional resources:
The Florence Project and Refugee Rights Project provides legal support and social services to detained immigrants in Arizona.
The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights works for the rights of children in immigration proceedings.
Kids In Need Of Defense (KIND) works to ensure that no child appears in immigration court alone without representation.
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project works to prevent the deportation of asylum-seeking families fleeing violence.
