I have been reflecting on what it means to celebrate Pride aside from its colorful parades overflowing with decorations and rainbow flags.

Immigrants Rising logo.
Hi John,

My name is Keziah Aurin and I am Immigrants Rising’s Copywriter. In the months leading up to June, I have been reflecting on what it means to celebrate Pride. Aside from the colorful parades overflowing with decorations and rainbow flags, it reminds me that true liberation is a long, continuous battle, one that is not exclusive to a single population. In fact, this era challenges us to recognize how our struggles overlap.

As a queer and nonbinary member of the undocumented community, I draw inspiration from people such as Marsha P. Johnson ([link removed]) , Sylvia Rivera ([link removed]) , Bob the Drag Queen ([link removed]) , Armando Ibañez ([link removed]) , Magda Robinson ([link removed]) , Shirley Tan ([link removed]) , Ahmed Shihab-Eldin ([link removed]) , and many friends and family members, who reclaimed their stories, bodies, and identities as a means of fighting for themselves, their communities, and those who seem to be different from their intersecting experiences.

June is full of holidays and observances. Pride, Juneteenth, Eid al-Adha, Immigrant Heritage Month, and DACA Anniversary are not merely celebrations but an invitation to imagine and fight for a world within and outside the U.S. where we can live authentically without fearing for our safety.

During Pride Month, let’s commemorate the struggles of those who came before us by continuing their fight toward realizing a free and inclusive world. Let us remember that being undocumented, a person of color, LGBTQ+, or a mix of various identities – we are all interconnected. We owe each other a commitment to create the conditions that will liberate us, even if we don’t see all the effects in our lifetime.

Mariame Kaba, Black abolitionist organizer and educator reminds us: “Hope is a discipline… we have to practice it every single day.”

We compiled resources for you to learn more about Pride, how you can receive support as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and how you can be an ally:
* A brief history of Pride ([link removed])
* Being an LGBTQ+ Ally ([link removed]) by the Human Rights Commission
* Familia: TQLM ([link removed])
* Lambda Legal ([link removed])
* Immigration Equality ([link removed])
* The Trevor Project’s LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources ([link removed])

In community,
Keziah Aurin
Keziah Aurin
Copywriter


** DACA Updates
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Last week, we celebrated the DACA program’s 12th anniversary with the DACA Week of Action. Read below to see what you can do right now to support DACA and the fight for permanent protection for all immigrants.
* Sign this petition ([link removed]) to demand protection for DACA recipients, undocumented youth, and our communities.
* ICYMI: Watch the recording ([link removed]) of the Home is Here coalition’s DACA press conference in D.C.
* Read on 10 Things You Can Do Right Now as a DACA Recipient ([link removed]) .
* Lending Settlement for DACA Recipients: If you were a DACA recipient when you applied for a personal, student, or home loan with Discover, you may be entitled to a payment from a class action settlement. For more information about your rights, visit [link removed] or contact the Settlement Administrator at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . The deadline to file a claim is July 11, 2024.
* On June 18, the Biden Administration announced a policy expansion ([link removed]) that would allow undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to adjust their status in the U.S. and streamline the employment-based visa process for DACA and DACA-eligible youth. This major win since DACA could not have been possible without countless advocacy efforts ([link removed]) from immigrant communities, allies, and organizations pushing for protection for immigrants and their families. We also recognize that the Biden Administration can and must do more to protect millions in our community who are left out from this policy expansion – including undocumented students, educators, parents, and community members.


** Office Closure on the First Week of July
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Immigrants Rising will be closed on July 1-6 for a brief period of rest! We will return to our regular programming on Monday, July 8.


** Mental Health Career Program Showcase
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On June 7, this year’s cohort for the Mental Health Career Program concluded by celebrating our six participants’ hard work in accumulating the 3,000 hours required for their licensure and generating income while helping meet the mental health needs of marginalized communities. Read more about the Mental Health Career Program here ([link removed]) !


** Explore How You Can Travel as an Undocumented Individual
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Summer is a season of travel. Watch our Traveling While Undocumented webinar ([link removed]) and read our Advance Parole Travel Guide ([link removed]) and Guide for Traveling in the U.S. ([link removed]) for tips and information on how you can safely travel within and outside the U.S.


** Immigrants Rising Program Director Applications Closing Soon!
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We are still seeking a passionate leader who can effectively manage teams, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and drive impactful change to join the Immigrants Rising team as our Program Director. If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a part of the Immigrants Rising team, apply here ([link removed]) by June 30, 2024.


** Social Media Highlights
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