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How You Can Help Immigrant Children & Families Now
By
Madeleine Crenshaw
Published Jun 19, 2018
Modified Jun 19, 2018
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US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
By
Madeleine Crenshaw
Published Jun 19, 2018
Modified Jun 19, 2018
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The Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy on immigration has separated around 2,000 immigrant children from their families between April 19th and May 31st, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This past Sunday a select number of journalists were allowed to tour the largest Border Patrol processing facility for the first time, where they saw children and adults imprisoned inside chain link cages.
Horror stories continue to emerge from the new enforcement strategy: A woman from Honduras says her daughter was ripped away from her while she was breastfeeding at a detention center, and ProPublica obtained audio of a Border Patrol officer derisively comparing the sound of wailing children to an orchestra.
If you're wondering what you can do to channel your outrage and empathy, here are some active ways you can help the families being separated at the border.
Donate.
If you're not sure where to start, ActBlue distributes money evenly to 14 organizations working to help protect children who are separated from their families. Some organizations under ActBlue include ACLU, Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) and La Union del Pueblo Entero, a Rio Grande-based grassroots organization founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. You can donate to the listed organizations above separately, as well.
There are also the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), which is the largest immigration nonprofit in Texas and the Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee, which helps to oppose migrant detention.
Contact your elected officials.
Call up your elected officials and voice your concerns about Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy. The ACLU has put together a helpful call sheet that has a contact list of Senators and a script on what to say.
If you'd like to get involved with your representatives on a local level, check out Who Represents Me: NYC, a tool created by the Graduate Center at CUNY in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the City of New York. The handy website lets you see who your city representatives are and provides contacts so you can get in touch with them.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 30th.
On June 30th, cities across the country will come together in protest of the Trump administration's strict immigration policy. The Families Belong Together rally will have a number of events throughout the New York City. Some events for June 30th include a march to Trump Tower on 5th Avenue, a rally at Rockaway Beach, and a community discussion in the Bronx. You also have the option of creating your own event for the day, too.
Sign a Petition.
The New York Immigration Coalition released a Google Doc that has a number of resources, including petitions you can sign online. Here are some petitions calling on Attorney General Jeff Sessions, President Trump, and even Ivanka Trump to desist.
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immigrant families
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Madeleine Crenshaw
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