Imagine you were fleeing violence, or seeking to reunify with your relatives in the United States. You are crossing the border when the US government arrests you. Despite your age, you are treated like a criminal, locked in detention, and separated from your family. Not only must you endure conditions that the federal government itself has found inhumane, but you must also defend yourself in immigration court alone-because the United States does not recognize your right to a lawyer even if you cannot find one. This is the reality that hundreds of thousands of adults and children face each day. It is the result of an immigration system designed to dehumanize and criminalize people, not welcome them with dignity. The US immigration system is an arrest-to-deportation pipeline rooted in racism. Our nation’s immigration laws were created and founded explicitly in racism and xenophobia. The past three decades have been marked by an ever-expanding immigration detention system, and an immigration enforcement regime that criminalizes people of color and funnels people from the criminal legal systems into detention and deportation. As a result, our immigration system serves as a form of “double punishment” for people who pass from one legal system to another, compounding the racial disparities and injustices in both. Just as Black people are more likely than white people to be targeted by police, Black immigrants are also disproportionately vulnerable to immigration enforcement. One-in-Ten Black people living in the United States are also immigrants. 

A dangerous attempt to undermine one of our democracy's fundamental safeguards is playing out before our very eyes: Trump is demanding that the Senate forgo its constitutional duty to vet and confirm his nominees for crucial government positions — including Secretary of State, Defense, Education, and more. He’d reportedly implement an unprecedented and brazen use of presidential authority to make it happen: Under a bad-faith reading of Article II of the Constitution, the president could potentially force Congress to adjourn and use his presidential authority to recess-appoint his Cabinet while they’re out. Without Senate scrutiny, there would be no public hearings, no tough questions, and no way to stop dangerous, ill-fitted nominees from leading our federal agencies. The resulting harm could take decades to undo, and we’re not about to let it happen without a fight that starts today. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and too many of his Republican colleagues seem willing to abdicate their constitutional responsibility, but that’s where constituents like you come in, and remind them to do their job.

As a student body, we demand immediate action to address these issues and improve mental health services at UW Madison. Specifically, we call on the administration to: 1. Hire more professional counselors: Increase the number of qualified therapists who specialize in addressing serious mental health concerns. 2. Provide face-to-face counseling: Virtual or phone-only sessions are not enough. Students need in-person services to build trust and meaningful connections. 3. Reduce wait times: Expand staffing and resources to ensure students can access help when they need it, without unnecessary delays. 4. Invest in mental health resources: Enhance outreach, workshops, and student support programs to proactively address mental health concerns. 5. We cannot allow these issues to persist. Delayed or inadequate care can lead to devastating consequences. As students, we are advocating for our right to access high-quality, accessible mental health care on campus. By signing this petition, you are joining the fight for a healthier, more supportive UW Madison. Let’s ensure that every student feels seen, valued, and supported. Together, we can build a campus culture that prioritizes mental health and well-being. Sign this petition to demand change now. Share your voice and make an impact. [Sign Here]

A shocking number of innocent people have been sentenced to death. And the tragic reality is that capital punishment is imposed mostly on poor people who cannot afford to hire an effective lawyer. And while proponents claim the death penalty is a crime deterrent and keeps us safer, that doesn't seem to be the case, according to the National Research Council of the National Academies. After more than three decades of research examining whether the threat of a death sentence deters people from committing aggravated murders, there is no reliable evidence that the death penalty deters murder.  Add your name today to urge President Biden to commute all federal death sentences before he leaves office.

Why This Change is Important   Family unity is a core value of the United States, and the current waiting times for sibling immigration visas undermine this principle. Currently, U.S. citizens may wait 15 to 20 years or more to bring their siblings to the U.S., an unreasonable delay that creates long-term separation and hardship. This delay is not just an inconvenience; it is an emotional and financial burden for families.   Facts: Emotional Impact: Families are forced to live with the distress of separation for decades, often missing out on critical life moments. Important family events—weddings, births, illnesses, and even funerals—occur without the support of siblings who are still waiting for immigration approval. Economic Impact: Families are often separated across borders, which creates financial burdens as relatives who might have supported each other are unable to reunite and share resources. When families are finally reunited, they often face economic challenges, which could be alleviated by reducing the wait times.   Family Support Systems: A reduction in the wait time would allow families to reunite sooner, making it easier for siblings to share responsibilities for caring for aging parents or helping each other with childcare.   The Human Side:   Take, for example, the case of Mohamed, a U.S. citizen living in Michigan. He has been waiting for nearly 18 years to reunite with his sister in Egypt. During this time, his sister has missed the births of his children, their graduations, and even important family events like weddings. The emotional toll on Mohamed and his family is immense, but they are powerless to change the system. Like Mohamed, millions of other U.S. citizens are facing the same heart-wrenching wait.   Why Should Others Join in the Campaign?   1. Support for Family Unity:   Many Americans understand the value of being with family in times of need. By reducing wait times, we ensure that families can come together sooner, providing mutual support in difficult times. Family reunification benefits everyone—not just the immigrants but also U.S. citizens who want to build their lives with the support of their loved ones. 2. Humanitarian Reasoning:   The U.S. prides itself on being a nation of immigrants. By advocating for change, we align with the values that make America a beacon of hope for families around the world. Speeding up the immigration process for siblings ensures that the U.S. remains a compassionate and welcoming nation that values families. 3. Economic Benefits for the Country:   When families are united, they can more easily contribute to the U.S. economy. Whether it’s through work, investing in local communities, or contributing to the country’s cultural diversity, family reunification strengthens our nation as a whole.   A Call for Action:   This is not just about policy—it's about families. People all across the U.S. are living with the pain of long separations. With your support, we can change the law to ensure that the immigration process for siblings is fair, timely, and humane. Together, we can advocate for a change that unites families sooner, strengthens our communities, and ensures a more just immigration system for all. Join this campaign because family should not have to wait 20 years to be together. Let’s work together to make the U.S. immigration system fairer and more compassionate for everyone.

The family has waited long enough.

As of December 19th, my children will have spent six years in foster care, completely cut off from family connections, parental visits, and phone calls. This has resulted in a profound sense of abandonment and alienation, largely due to the actions of the department. The intention behind this approach seems to be to make them more adoptable, but it only reinforces the feeling that they are unloved and unwanted. This is why I believe Title IV-E federal funding should be repealed; it no longer fulfills its original purpose. Below are the negative failures of title 4E federal funding. I had a generated by AI... I didn't want people to second-guess me or think I didn't have my facts straight.  Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides federal funding for foster care and adoption assistance programs. While the intent of this funding is to support children in the welfare system and promote family stability, there can be negative results and impacts on families. Here are some potential negative outcomes associated with Title IV-E funding: 1. **Incentivization of Foster Care Placement**: The funding structure may inadvertently incentivize the placement of children into foster care rather than supporting families to stay together. This can lead to unnecessary separations and trauma for children and parents. 2. **Limited Support for Preventive Services**: Title IV-E funding primarily focuses on foster care and adoption assistance, which may result in insufficient resources allocated for preventive services that could help families avoid entering the child welfare system in the first place. 3. **Overburdened Child Welfare System**: Increased funding for foster care can lead to an influx of cases, overwhelming the child welfare system. This can result in inadequate attention and resources for families in crisis, leading to poorer outcomes for children and families. 4. **Disparities in Access to Services**: Families from marginalized communities may face barriers in accessing the benefits of Title IV-E funding. This can exacerbate existing inequalities and lead to disproportionate rates of foster care placements among certain populations. 5. **Stigmatization of Families**: The involvement of child welfare services can carry a stigma, which may discourage families from seeking help. This stigma can lead to isolation and further challenges for families struggling with issues that could be addressed with appropriate support. 6. **Short-Term Focus**: The funding may prioritize immediate placements and financial assistance over long-term solutions that address the root causes of family instability, such as poverty, mental health issues, and substance abuse. 7. **Potential for Mismanagement**: With increased funding, there is a risk of mismanagement or misuse of resources, which can detract from the intended support for families and children. This can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency in how funds are utilized. 8. **Impact on Family Reunification**: The focus on foster care placements may delay or complicate the process of family reunification, as resources may be more readily available for foster care than for services that support reunification efforts. 9. **Emotional and Psychological Effects**: The trauma of entering the foster care system can have lasting emotional and psychological effects on children and their families, which may not be adequately addressed by the services funded under Title

Signing this petition is vital to show Oregon’s leaders that we, as residents, demand bold action to protect our shared values and fundamental rights. As California and Washington take decisive steps to safeguard democracy, reproductive rights, environmental protections, and civil liberties, Oregon must join in solidarity to ensure our state remains a leader in progress, equity, and justice. Your signature amplifies the call for meaningful policies and partnerships that counter federal overreach and defend the rights, safety, and dignity of all Oregonians. Together, we can send a powerful message: Oregon will not stand idly by in the face of threats to our core principles. Make your voice heard—sign today!

The House of Representatives just passed a dangerous bill that would give President-elect Trump – and any future president – a blank check to take revenge on political enemies.  That’s right, H.R. 9495 would allow the president to SHUT DOWN any nonprofit organization whose First Amendment-protected speech he deems a threat to the country.   And you know as well as I do how that power would be abused – painting a target on organizations that are peacefully resisting or dissenting from the White House’s policies.   But here’s the good news: thanks to over 7,000 letters and calls from Common Cause members like you, we helped build unprecedented opposition to this legislation – convincing 39 representatives to flip their vote and oppose this bill.  With your action, I’m confident that we can convince enough Senators to BLOCK this legislation and stop it from becoming law. Add your name to tell the Senate to REJECT this dystopian attack on our right to dissent.

Trump's Cabinet appointees have no real interest in serving the American people. Working Americans will pay the price for this dysfunctional leadership, through the repealing of the Affordable Care Act and cutting Medicaid under RFK Jr. and having a white Christian nationalist commanding our nation's military.  As we face a second Trump term, Senate Democrats must do everything in their power to protect our essential government programs and services by rejecting Trump's Cabinet nominees. The consequences of these nominations will affect every person in America. With RFK Jr. leading the Department of Health and Human Services, Big Pharma and other predatory corporations will see record profits while seniors face skyrocketing prescription drug prices and working families have their health care cut through the Affordable Care Act being repealed. Trump is handpicking MAGA loyalists who will protect him at all costs and do anything to enact Project 2025. Trump should not be allowed to circumvent the Senate's process to squeeze in his Cabinet picks while the Senate is in recess.  It's up to us to stop him when we can and slow down any impact he could have on the American people. Trump is trying to create a society where the rich get richer and the working class have to pay even more out of their pockets. Image Credit: CTV

By signing this petition, you are showing the CCBC administration that you want a strong and fair working relationship in our negotiations to make the college an even better place for our students and faculty to learn and grow.  

There is so much uncertainty ahead, but we know that getting through the next four years will rely on us coming together to support one another and doing everything we can to slow down Trump and his MAGA agenda in Congress and in our communities.  We will not stop fighting for our rights, and we will resist Trump's dangerous and regressive agenda at every turn. If the Senate reconfirms Lauren McFerran, Democrats can maintain a majority on the National Labor Relations Board and ensure labor and worker safety at a federal level at least until 2026. There should be no more delays: Confirm Lauren McFerran, the Democratic chair of the National Labor Relations Board NOW!