Defend immigrant communities!

Immigrant communities across the country are facing the terrifying threat from the incoming Trump administration of mass deportations and family separation. As immigrant families and organizations come together to strategize, solidarity from the entire community is key. Here are some ideas for an action plan, working with immigrant rights groups, that can be adjusted to the situation and needs in your state or city:

• Sanctuary Cities efforts at the municipal and state levels. (Los Angeles is an example).
• Confirm state, county, and local authorities' promises of non-cooperation with enforcing immigration laws, and to not accept federal funding such as those coming from Operation Stonegarden. Hold meetings with local and state law enforcement entities, get confirmation and buy in - in writing, if possible.
• Work in coalition with immigrant-led groups to form Neighborhood Defense Committees. Include actions such as Rapid Response Networks with community allies responding to raids, stops, and other attempts to detain undocumented neighbors. Develop committees to provide legal assistance, Know Your Rights trainings, funds to bond out of immigration detention, accompaniment to court.
• Organize at the local level and the national level with national organizations to help boost local organizing.
• Invite allies to work in coalition - eg. faith leaders, labor unions, Mexican and Guatemalan consulates, Mexicans living in the U.S., and the small business community.
• Legislative efforts as possible - to create sanctuary states and to strategize ways to not enforce Trump's deportation orders.
• Legal efforts - organize groups of lawyers willing to help represent those detained, and to bring lawsuits against the unconstitutionality of the actions.
• Campaign to defend the Constitution, especially the 14th Amendment guaranteeing birthright citizenship.
• Education of the general public on who are the immigrants in the U.S. and what they contribute to the economy.

Image: People in NY march to defend immigrant communities by Make the Road NY (Twitter/X)

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