How can I support immigrant communities?
- Kylie B.
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
What's going on?
Multiple anti-immigration Executive Orders and pieces of legislation have been, or are in the process of being, announced or implemented, all of which are creating a dangerous set of conditions. The most concerning order to have been announced thus far was that the Trump Administration announced that it will be expanding the capacity of Guantanamo Bay--a US military installation in Cuba infamous for the human rights violations and torture of its prisoners--so that it will be able to hold nearly 30,000 undocumented immigrants (called "criminal aliens"in the Executive Order) .
Why do I care about this, and why should you?
Supporting immigrants in the US is important to me because no person can be illegal on stolen land, this country would literally collapse without immigrants, and I don't want a single person to experience what happened during the first Trump presidency.
Raising the alarm on, and pushing back against, the establishment or expansion of detention centers is important to me because the carceral system hasn't ever been a solution to safer/more "orderly" society, these facilities cost taxpayers tons of money (which goes directly into the pockets of private corporations), ICE detention facilities have a long history of human rights violations, and Trump's recent Executive Orders appear to be putting this country on a path towards establishing full-blown concentration camps.
What actions can be taken?
Find out if and how your elected leaders are protecting its immigrant communities.
Call and/or write to your elected congressional officials (US Representatives and US Senators) MULTIPLE times. A sample email/letter template is below (and can be used as a phone script).
Find ways you can support people who are immigrants. One big way I've been seeing as of late is printing out Immigrant Know Your Rights (KYR) cards from reputable organizations and distributing them in your community (especially in larger immigrant communities). The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has a printable template (and in multiple languages) on their website here.
Donate or volunteer with a reputable organization that provides direct support to immigrant communities.
Here's where to look up who your elected officials are, as well as their contact information:
Email/letter template
Subject: Urgent Action Needed to Stop the Cruel and Illegal Treatment of Immigrants
Dear [Elected Official's Name],
My name is [Insert Your Name] and I'm a resident of [Insert Your City, State]. I am writing to express my deep concern and outrage regarding the recent Executive Orders and proposed legislation targeting immigrants in the United States. These actions are not only inhumane and unjust but also pose a grave threat to our society and our values.
The announcement that the Trump Administration intends to expand the capacity of Guantanamo Bay to detain tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants is particularly alarming. Guantanamo Bay is synonymous with human rights abuses and torture. This plan signals a dangerous and disturbing direction for our country, one that echoes the darkest chapters of our history.
I believe that supporting immigrants is not just a matter of compassion, but also a matter of economic and social necessity. Immigrants are an integral part of our workforce, our communities, and our culture. Moreover, the very foundation of this nation rests on stolen land, making the concept of "illegal" immigration inherently flawed.
The expansion of detention centers is not only a waste of taxpayer money that lines the pockets of private corporations, but it also perpetuates a system that has repeatedly failed to improve public safety. Instead of investing in humane and effective solutions, we are choosing a path of cruelty.
I urge you to take immediate action to:
Condemn these harmful policies. Loudly.
Use your position to block any legislation that seeks to criminalize or dehumanize immigrants.
Advocate for policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of all members of our community, regardless of immigration status.
I will be closely monitoring your actions on this issue and will hold you accountable for your response.
Sincerely,
[Insert Your Name]
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