By Faria Majeed
Migrant families in the US government’s custody have shared their stories, and national outrage has sparked. The Trump administration has implemented policies at our southern border that are meant to harm migrants seeking refuge in America. Media coverage shows us the bare minimum, but we’ve seen enough evidence that proves our fears. Our government is threatening our values as a nation, whilst going against the law by separating families and forcing them into filthy and abusive detention camps in the midst of a global pandemic. People are DYING in our government’s custody solely because they wanted a better life for their families. The Trump administration and government officials are carrying actions that are unnecessary. Stricter border policies will never ever deter the desire to carry out the ‘American Dream.’
The situation at the border is repulsive. Detainees are forced to go against their religion, malnutritioned, filthy, and sick due to the ongoing pandemic. They don’t even get the chance to see a doctor when they fall ill. Countless organizations are working towards helping the detainees and protesting to the government. Here’s what you can do to help:
- Educate yourself on ICE. Who are they? What do they do? How is Trump funding them? Research what is going on at the border so you can take further actions.
- Watch Immigration Nation on Netflix. It’s a documentary that touches on the severities of living in detention centers as policies get stricter. It’s extremely eye opening.
- Read up on ICE, why it should be abolished, and immigration law . Here are some good ones:
- ABOLISH ICE by Nastascha Elena Uhlmann
- White but Not Equal : Mexican Americans, Jury Discrimination, and the Supreme Court by Ignacio M. Garcia
- Beyond Deportation: The Role of Prosecutorial Discretion in Immigration Cases by Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia
- Defend the Border and Save Lives: Solving Our Most Important Humanitarian and Security Crisis by Thomas Homan
- American Gulag by Mark Dow
- From Deportation to Prison: The Politics of Immigration Enforcement in Post-Civil Rights America by Patrisia Macías-Rojas
- Contact your government representatives. Text, emails, phone calls; anything helps. State that this is a humanitarian issue and action needs to be taken. We have an article in our Activism Tab with more details on contacting your state representatives.
- Try and see if your state has a task force, NYC has several non-profits that directly donate and support younger detainees.
- Speak up and educate your peers and loved ones. Spread facts and let people know; this is a complete management crisis within our government, it’s common sense to treat migrants humanely.
- If you know someone who was detained, call the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) hotline or American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). To contact UNHCR from outside a detention center, dial 1-888-272-1913; to contact UNHCR from inside a detention center, dial 566#.
- Support local migrant families. Show them that they are welcome in your neighborhood, school, church, workplace, etc. Keep an eye out for them and show them support and encouragement. It;s scary to be introduced to a new environment.
- Donate, donate, donate! Here are some links to organizations that provide legal, direct help:
At a Glance 