The Trump Administration has separated over 1,300 children from their parents since May 7, according to The Intercept. While we may not be able to volunteer our time at the Texas border to help reunite immigrant families, we can give support to organizations that are working to reunite families.
ACTION 1: Donate
The Texas Civil Rights Project provides legal aid to immigrants and other vulnerable populations in Texas. You can learn more and donate here: https://texascivilrightsproject.org/donate/ (rated 4 starts on Charity Navigator)
The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) provides legal services and pays bonds for immigrant families. You can donate here: https://www.raicestexas.org
The ACLU has been working for years to end family detention facilities, as well as working on other immigrant rights issues. You can donate to the ACLU branch located in Texas here: https://www.aclutx.org/en/donate
You can also support local immigrant rights organizations like C-U Immigration Forum (https://www.facebook.com/CUImmigrationForum/) and Sanctuary of the People (https://www.facebook.com/uiucsanctuary/).
Action 2: Write a Letter to the Editor
We have a wonderful Letter to the Editor (LTE) group in Champaign-Urbana that has been writing letters to News-Gazette for two years. You can join the IL-13 Letters to the Editor Campaign and find out more about writing a letter there (https://www.facebook.com/groups/135261887027956/).
Action 3: Go to the Drury Inn protest
Although this protest is not specifically targeted to the Trump Administration’s policy of separating families, it is a great opportunity to speak out against the array of policies that affect immigrants and migrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is active in Champaign and uses the Drury Inn as a base of operations when they’re in town to arrest undocumented immigrants. https://www.facebook.com/events/215642742564958/
Action 4: Call Rep. Davis
Senators Duckworth and Durbin are co-sponsoring S. 3036 Keep Families Together Act. The bill would prevent families from being separated except in the case of abuse. Children could only be separated from families in the case of abuse or trafficking if confirmed by a child welfare expert (https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/…/duckworth-durbin-feinste…).
There is not yet an equivalent House bill, but we need to ask Davis to speak out against this and support the House bill when the time comes.
Rodney Davis: 202-225-2371 or 217-403-4690 (Champaign)
***Call Script*** Hello, My name is [X], and I’m a constituent in Rep. Davis’ district. My address is [X]. I am calling to ask Rep. Davis to speak out against the Trump administration’s inhumane policy of separating families at the border. Children belong with their parents. I urge him to support legislation to end this policy. Thank you.
CUP (Champaign Urbana Progressives) 