Our governors and local leaders can protect immigrants immediately.[ [link removed] ]Tell Democratic governors: Prevent mass deportation NOW!
Dear MoveOn member,
President Donald Trump is moving forward with what could be the largest
deportation effort in American history. Only weeks after Trump's
inauguration, his attacks on immigrant communities are already taking
their toll after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched raids
across the country this past week.^1 And Republicans are wasting no time
ramping up their cruel deportation efforts, using Trump's directives to
push for even harsher policies in their states.
Unleashing bounty hunters to round up immigrants in our communities.
Imposing fees for undocumented children to access public education.
Turning routine traffic stops into aggressive immigration checkpoints.
Forcing immigration status checks to purge workers and disrupt our
economy.
Fingerprinting migrant children.
These are just a few of the cruel proposals being introduced in
Republican-led states.^2 And make no mistake, while immigrant communities
are going to bear the brunt of these heartless and extreme measures, we
are all going to suffer under these policies. We're already seeing their
outrageous consequences. Native Americans, whose ancestors have lived here
for centuries, are being harassed by ICE agents and forced to prove their
citizenship on their own land.^3 Veterans who have served our country are
being detained by ICE while at their workplaces.^4
We are safer and better when everyone—regardless of their immigration
status—has access to the basic legal, medical, and educational resources
they need.^5 We refuse to accept Trump's election as a mandate for
cruelty. Just as Republicans are ramping up their efforts to fall in line
with Trump, Democratic leaders can ramp up their resistance. We need our
elected leaders to take proactive countermeasures to protect immigrant
communities NOW.
[ [link removed] ]Will you sign the petition to urge local and state leaders to do
everything in their power to protect immigrant communities in their cities
and states?
As Republicans ramp up their hateful, anti-immigrant efforts, we need
Democrats to do whatever they can to protect our communities against mass
deportation efforts!
[3]Sign the petition
The ICE raids and deportation efforts are having a chilling effect, with
people bracing against potential violence and human rights
violations.^6 The White House has already begun flying detained people to
Guantanamo Bay—a military base that has been fraught with allegations of
torture and abuse.^7 And as more and more stories come out about the
"chilling" raids, immigrant children and families are being driven into
hiding.^8
Since the raids began, Lupita, a 12-year-old U.S. citizen with
undocumented parents, has been living in fear that her parents may not be
there when she gets home from school. Hundreds of thousands of U.S.-born
children like Lupita are waking up every day not knowing if their families
will be torn apart.^9 Reports of empty schools and workplaces are
circulating as more people avoid day-to-day activities out of
fear.^10 Children, families, and entire communities will be reckoning with
the ramifications of Trump’s deportation machine for decades to come.
[ [link removed] ]We have to fight back against the worst of this administration's mass
deportation efforts. Will you sign the petition?
Some state leaders are already rising to the challenge. Washington
Governor Bob Ferguson signed an executive order last week creating the
Family Separation Rapid Response Team, to bring together stakeholders from
across the state to coordinate and prepare for mass deportations.^11
And school administrators in Chicago have stepped up to resist Trump's
mass deportation directives—reiterating that ICE is not permitted to
access their schools without certain credentials and a warrant, and
committing to uphold their sanctuary city laws despite Trump's executive
orders.^12
These efforts are an example of the kind of leadership we need in order to
protect those who are most vulnerable in our communities. But we also need
a united front across state lines to prevent Trump's cruel detention and
deportation efforts. Governors and local governments must take the steps
necessary to protect our immigrant neighbors.
[ [link removed] ]People's lives are on the line. Click here to demand local officials
take proactive action and do everything they can to prevent our
communities from being torn apart.
Thanks for all you do.
–Mia, Joel, Toni, Asna, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "N.J. leaders slam ICE raid in Newark as 'chilling,' 'cruel,'" New
Jersey Monitor, January 24, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
2. "Red states, following Trump's lead, pursue sweeping immigration
measures," The Washington Post, February 4, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
3. "Native Americans say tribal members harassed by immigration agents,"
Reuters, January 30, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
4. "ICE agents raid seafood store, detain U.S. military veteran," KTLA 5,
January 31, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
5. "The Effects of Sanctuary Policies on Crime and the Economy," Center
for American Progress, January 26, 2017
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
6. "N.J. leaders slam ICE raid in Newark as 'chilling,' 'cruel,'" New
Jersey Monitor, January 24, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. "Immigration raids have begun. For immigrant and mixed-status families,
everyday life has changed," NPR, January 27, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
10. "'Everyone is scared': Deportation fears keep immigrant students home
from NYC schools," Chalkbeat, January 24, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
11. "WA response team formed to prep for Trump's mass deportation plans,"
Cascade PBS, January 27, 2025
[link removed]
12. "Public schools try to protect undocumented students from Trump
immigration raids," NBC News, January 28, 2025
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
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