Dear ,
The staff of the Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) is spending time processing and coming to terms with the deeply disappointing reality that Donald Trump will once again return to power. The news has raised challenging emotions for many of us. We are touched by the many who reached out with words of support and generous donations in anticipation of the hard work ahead.
It is ever more important that we are true to our principles within the immigrant justice movement. Every person has inherent worth and dignity. Immigrants are essential and beloved members of our communities and the United States has the power, influence, and wealth to ensure equity and justice are guaranteed characteristics of all of our lives. These values are foundational to ending mass deportation and we will continue to fight for a future in which we can all thrive.
Trump campaigned on a promise of mass deportations and has consistently used dehumanizing and criminalizing language to justify plans for immense cruelty to communities of color and marginalized people. When asked about how they will implement their plans, Trump and those likely to be tapped to lead to be tapped to lead his immigration policies consistently say that they will prioritize people with criminal legal system contacts first. We are anticipating that the new administration will swiftly weaponize the full power of the crim-imm system that has been built and expanded over the last three decades.
IDP must and will step up during this moment of pain, fear, and uncertainty. Our fight to protect immigrants is a fight for racial justice. Resisting anti-immigrant policies that capitalize on racism, exploitation, and hatred towards marginalized groups is crucial as these policies are an intentional attempt to obscure our common humanity. We know that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is supercharged, the communities most impacted are the Black immigrants and immigrants of color who are routinely and systemically targeted by both local police and by ICE. We will use all the legal and advocacy tools at our disposal to defend community members targeted by Trump and his deportation agenda.
This work has already begun. This week, we called on New York Governor Hochul to support the New York for All Act in response to her promise that with Trump as president, she would protect immigrant New Yorkers. Visits to our website for free community-based education materials, including information about ICE Raids and Know Your Rights resources, have increased dramatically.
In the coming years, state and local governments will play an outsized role in establishing protections for immigrants. We will continue our efforts at the state and local levels to push for stronger protections and push back against policies that further drive mass deportation. We will use our expertise and experience to advocate in state and federal courts, which will be pressure tested to protect our rights. We will support community members and expand the capacity of nonprofit organizations to provide direct relief to immigrants facing deportation. We are ready to step up in the fight for justice.
We are grateful for your continued partnership in this fight for justice and human rights for all. Though we will bear a heavy responsibility to mitigate the planned harm to immigrants and their loved ones, your support reminds us that we do this work in a vibrant and dedicated community.
In Solidarity,
Team IDP
