This proposal was written by Scott Hicks, Esq., an expert lawyer in immigration law. The treatment of people at the southern border with Mexico is appalling. Conditions under which unaccompanied children are held are considered child abuse when parents treat their children that way in the United States. I live in a vibrant community of people from many places. As a teacher, I see the effects that the current policies and negative climate have on the children. The future of this country depends on our children and they need to be healthy and well for the challenges they will face.

***español abajo*** Earlier this week, President Trump threatened that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will begin carrying out mass arrests, raids, and detentions of immigrants across the country. Since then, we have received multiple credible reports that these raids will impact D.C. and could begin as early as this weekend. The news has already begun to spread fear in the District, which is home to many immigrant communities - as powerfully illustrated by this recent Washington Post article. https://wapo.st/2IvdJfN Meanwhile, ICE activity in our region will likely intensify as the 2020 President Election nears. Out of concern for our city and our neighbors, we request that you take action to ensure that D.C. lives up to its Sanctuary status. Specifically, we call on you to ensure: 1) That there is absolutely no coordination between the Metropolitan Police Department and ICE. Large-scale operations like the one described by the President Trump rely on local cooperation, such as sharing information about residents, blocking off streets, withholding information about ICE activity from the general public, or detaining residents on ICE’s behalf. These deny due process to D.C. residents and particularly harm over-policed Black and Brown communities. We urge you to proactively ensure there is no collaboration between MPD and ICE. 2) That D.C. residents who are detained by ICE can access legal representation through D.C.’s Immigrant Justice Legal Services (IJLS) grant program. As things stand, anyone detained by ICE in the forthcoming raids are barred from receiving legal aid through IJLS. As a result, most families that cannot spend thousands of dollars on a private immigration lawyer will see their loved ones lose their case and be deported. The increase in IJLS funding to $2.5 million is a good step, but it won’t make a difference for our most vulnerable neighbors if this restriction isn’t lifted. 3) That the D.C. Department of Corrections (the “D.C. Jail”) stop notifying ICE when an inmate with an immigration detainer is released. The D.C. Jail’s current policy (https://bit.ly/2Iwgm11 - Section 9ab) instructs staff to notify ICE prior to the release of an inmate with an immigration detainer, allowing ICE to come to the D.C. Jail and detain the individual as they are being released. Notification of ICE at the D.C. Jail happens indiscriminately, regardless of whether the inmate had their charges dropped, were found innocent, or served their sentence. Compliance with immigration detainers by notifying ICE is voluntary for local jurisdictions. The D.C. Jail’s policy violates D.C. law (https://bit.ly/2x3My5h - § 24–211.07) and places dozens of D.C. residents in ICE’s custody. We believe D.C. is a city where all people should live without fear. We call on D.C. government to do everything in its power to protect our residents this week and for the long-term future. Our values must be matched with actions in defense of all immigrants. (to: Mayor Bowser; cc: Attorney General Racine & DC City Council members) ----- Ante las amenazas recientes por parte de la administración del presidente Trump contra los inmigrantes, le instamos a que haga todo lo que esté a su alcance para proteger a los residentes del Distrito de Columbia. Esto incluye garantizar (1) que las fuerzas de seguridad de la ciudad no cooperen, de ninguna manera, con el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE); (2) que los residentes de DC detenidos por ICE puedan acceder al programa de subsidios de Servicios Legales de Justicia para Inmigrantes (IJLS por sus siglas en Ingles); y (3) que el Departamento Correccional de DC se comprometa a no notificar a ICE cuando se libere a un preso que tiene un orden de detención de ICE. A principios de la semana pasada, el presidente Trump amenazó que ICE comenzaría a realizar arrestos masivos, redadas, y detenciones de inmigrantes en todo el país. Desde entonces, hemos recibido múltiples informes creíbles de que estas redadas afectarán al Distrito de Columbia, y podrán comenzar en los próximos días. La noticia ha generado temor entre los residentes del Distrito de Columbia que forman parte de comunidades inmigrantes, como lo ilustra este reciente artículo del Washington Post. https://wapo.st/2IvdJfN Mientras tanto, la actividad de (ICE) en nuestra región probablemente se intensificará a medida que se acerquen las elecciones presidenciales del año 2020. Por el bien de nuestra ciudad y nuestros vecinos, les solicitamos que tomen medidas para garantizar que el Distrito de Columbia cumpla sus garantías como ciudad santuario. Específicamente, les pedimos que se aseguren de que: 1) Las fuerzas de seguridad de la ciudad no cooperen, de ninguna manera, con ICE. Las operaciones a gran escala, como la descrita por el presidente Trump, dependen de la cooperación de fuerzas de seguridad locales. Esto incluye acciones como compartir información sobre residentes, bloquear calles, ocultar del público información sobre la actividad de ICE, o detener a residentes en nombre de ICE. Estas acciones le niegan el debido proceso legal a los residentes de DC, e impactan de manera adversa a comunidades marginalizadas que ya son sobre vigiladas. Les instamos que se aseguren de manera proactiva de que no haya colaboración entre la policía (MPD) e ICE. 2) Los residentes de DC que sean detenidos por ICE puedan acceder servicios de representación legal a través del programa de subvenciones de Servicios Legales de Justicia para Inmigrantes (IJLS) de DC. Presentemente, cualquier persona detenida por ICE tiene prohibido recibir asistencia legal a través de IJLS. Como resultado, la mayoría de las familias que no pueden gastar miles de dólares en un abogado de inmigración privado verán a sus seres queridos perder su caso y ser deportados. El aumento en la financiación de IJLS a $ 2.5 millones es un paso importante, pero no hará una diferencia para nuestros vecinos más vulnerables si no se elimina ...

There are over 5 million children in the United States with at least one undocumented parent. Currently there are over 5,100 active deportation cases across the state of Oregon and more than 71,000 Oregon children are at risk of losing a parent to deportation. This forced separation has enormous consequences for our students, their families and our education communities. The 71,000 Oregon children and youth living under the threat of being forcibly removed from a loving and capable parent experience enormous education disparities. These young people experience high levels of anxiety and depression, which effects their ability to participate in academic activities. Additionally, the very legitimate fear of being stopped by ICE and detained in the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma keeps many parents from being able to actively engage with the school community. Children and youth who are at risk of losing a parent are less likely to be able to participate in after-school activities or supplemental academic support, lowering their academic success rates and their over-all satisfaction with their education experience. These kids are also disproportionately represented in chronic absenteeism and following the forced removal of a parent, are ten times more likely to drop out than their peers. Educators from all around the state can describe the horrible impact of forced removal on their students and their school communities. Ten-year-old students being sent to school with their passport to prove they are citizens. Six-year-old children defending themselves in court with no attorney. Children arriving home after school only to find the house empty and learning their parents will never return. These are not stories happening in other countries, or only on the southern border. They happen in Oregon every day. Educators stand against the senseless destruction of loving families. We stand against Oregon children and youth being caught in the crosshairs of federal policy. We stand for an Oregon where every child is valued and safe, free to pursue their education and future free from the violence of family separation. We urge our state leaders to vote yes for the Immigrant Defense Fund.

The National Sheriffs Association has been working with a white nationalist hate group called "FAIR," and it shows. Sheriffs nationwide have adopted a despicable immigration narrative and promoted an unprecedented expansion of deportation agreements that "deputize" sheriffs to carry out Trump's anti-immigrant agenda. Just last week, the National Sheriffs Association honored FAIR's go-to Sheriff in Florida, Bob Gualtieri of Pinellas County. It's time to expose the hate groups behind this agenda, and demand that sheriffs step away from them now.

Ken Cuccinelli has a shockingly regressive record on immigration, including: - Comparing immigration policy to pest control and insinuating that the government should break up immigrant families. - Sponsoring a resolution to amend the Constitution and strip US-born children of undocumented immigrants of their citizenship - Introducing legislation to let employees get fired for speaking languages other than English at work and disqualifying them from unemployment benefits - Repeatedly referring to immigration as an "invasion" and speaking in favor of invoking "war powers" to drop due process and militarize the border The head of the union that represents US Citizenship and Immigration Services employees did not mince words: "the possible appointment of Ken Cuccinelli ... spells the end of legal immigration as it currently exists." As Virginia attorney general, Cuccinelli embarked on a multiyear legal campaign to smear and discredit one of the world's most prominent climate scientists, Michael E. Mann. Cuccinelli demanded thousands of emails by invoking a discredited conspiracy theory in order to allege fraud. It was a clear case of political interference and censorship, and Cuccinelli ultimately lost. The episode demonstrates the danger of putting Cuccinelli into a position of power over others. Now, as climate change drives forced migration around the globe, Cuccinelli is set to take over the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which handles the legal process of gaining residency and citizenship in this country. Even many Republican senators loathe Cuccinelli, who led a group that has boosted their conservative primary challengers. Tell your senators that Cuccinelli is too unqualified and extreme for this, or any, position in our federal government!

I am a concerned citizen that the legacy of President Obama is in jeopardy. I encourage you to continue to extend the legislation to preserve immigration rights as they arrive in the United States of America. I also have a concern that news of 6 dead children occurred while in the custody of the border patrol. I oppose the separation of the family and the children being separated from the adults upon arrival at the border. Thank you for considering to extend the legislation and make their future brighter.

According to the Washington Post, Donald Trump and Stephen Miller are considering a "shock and awe" plan targeting as many as 10,000 families, parents, and children for mass arrest and deportation across the United States. They seem to think that the implementation of this plan will deter new migrants from coming to the U.S.-Mexico border. Remember--this is what they said about their family separation plan too, and look how hugely destructive that was. ICE raids targeting 10,000 parents and children would mean: - ICE officials with guns in our neighborhoods - Families ripped out of their homes and taken away - Children crying as families are separated again - Children stranded in schools as parents are taken away This plan would be hugely scarring and destructive, and we need to take action if we don't want to see these scenes plastered across the media. This cannot be the defining image of America. TELL CONGRESS that they cannot allow our taxpayer dollars to fund any of this. If the Trump Administration implements this plan, there should be no funding for ICE. Please SIGN and SHARE.

“Men and women willing to wear our uniform shouldn’t be deported by the same nation they risked their lives to defend.” – Senator Tammy Duckworth. This would seem obvious, but many of our veterans are being deported, often for non-violent charges when they turn to marijuana or other drugs to cope with PTSD after serving in combat. The Veterans Visa and Protection Act would prevent further deportations of veterans for non-violent crimes and allow those who have already been deported for non-violent crimes to return to the United States. https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/one-year-after-trump-administration-deported-illinois-veteran-duckworth-re-introduces-comprehensive-bill-package-to-protect-veterans-and-servicemembers-from-unfair-treatment?fbclid=IwAR2n1nelIOWF0rqMHOrGvgwUT0KOA1bnA-7JET_VjYjJDGM8QDp3BXYhUg4 https://grijalva.house.gov/press-releases/rep-grijalva-reintroduces-veterans-visa-and-protection-act-of-2019/

One of the largest encampments of children who have been separated from their families, and are now held indefinitely in detention, is close to my home. I had the opportunity to remind them, across a field, and in their own language that: We Have Not Forgotten Them; That We in America Believe and Work for Human Rights; that they are not alone, because all our hearts are breaking with them. All Americans must stand for our democratic values and governance. Beyond politics this is a matter of Humanity -- there are no taking sides in front of injustice. We must stand together! Join your local chapter at MothersDayRally.com Thank you for your presence.

Our son Scott is facing three federal felony charges for providing humanitarian aid to two migrants in the southwest borderlands of the United States. We’re asking you to sign this petition demanding that the US Attorney’s office drop all charges against him. He has been charged with two counts of felony harboring and one count of conspiracy for, according to the charging documents, "providing food, water, clean clothes and beds". If convicted, faces up to 20 years in prison. Each year persons fleeing poverty, oppression, and violence in their home countries make the desperate decision to confront Arizona’s western desert, one of the harshest landscapes on earth, in search of a better life. For many, the decision ends in a painful and lonely death in the remote reaches of the Sonoran Desert. No one deserves to die in the desert. No one deserves to go to prison for trying to prevent those deaths. The work of Scott and other humanitarian aid volunteers to alleviate suffering should be upheld as standards of virtue for all of us rather than punished by threat of prison. Help us show the USAO that there is widespread support for humanitarian aid work and that prosecuting our son is both morally wrong and politically unpopular. Scott’s devotion to his humanitarian work consistently inspires us. We first realized the extent of his commitment when we saw – as parents, felt – the pain he suffered upon encountering the bodies of migrants in the desert, and the deep sense of responsibility he feels to commemorate their journeys both as migrants and as human beings. That the USAO would seek to criminalize compassion and respect for human dignity is unconscionable.

Another child's life. Gone while in custody of the United States Government. A teenager from Guatemala was being warehoused at one of the Southwest Key facilities — facilities where charges of child abuse have been raised repeatedly over the past year — and became very sick. He was dead a few days later. He had been in United States custody for 10 days. He is the third child to die in federal custody over the last six months. Seven year old Jakelin Caal Maquin died in December. Eight year old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez died a couple of weeks later. No more.

Sunset Park has the largest, working-class industrial waterfront in Brooklyn, but Industry City wants to turn it into a playground for the rich. Industry City wants to change current zoning to build large chain retail stores and luxury hotels, which may lead to luxury housing. We must protect long-time residents, workers, and small, locally-owned businesses from rising rents and displacement. This is our neighborhood. We should be deciding the future of our waterfront and neighborhood, not private developers like Industry City. Sunset Park tiene la costa de agua industrial más grande. La comunidad de Sunset Park cuenta con una población de personas mayormente de clase obrera y bajo ingreso en Brooklyn. Descaradamente los patrones de Industry City quieren destruir nuestra comunidad, y convertirlo en un patio de recreo para los ricos. Mediante el mecanismo de rezonificación ellos desean cambiar la zonificación actual para construir grandes cadenas de tiendas minoristas y hoteles de lujo, lo que puede llevar a viviendas de lujo. Debemos proteger a los residentes, trabajadores y pequeñas empresas de propiedad local desde hace mucho tiempo del aumento de alquileres y desplazamientos. Este es nuestro barrio. Deberíamos decidir el futuro de nuestra línea de costa y vecindario, no de desarrolladores privados como Industry City. Protect Sunset Park is a coalition of individuals and organizations representing residents, workers, students and small businesses. We are independent from outside groups. Join us and stay informed. Contact us: [email protected] --- Proteja a Sunset Park es una coalición de individuos y organizaciones que representan a residentes, trabajadores, estudiantes y pequeñas empresas. Somos independientes de grupos externos. Únete a nosotros y mantente informado. Contacte a nosotros: [email protected]