As the coronavirus continues to spread and cause harm, undocumented families face harsh risks as they seek to care for their loved ones and seek access to health care. Currently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continue to target undocumented people in our community. As a result of fearmongering and misinformation, AAPI individuals in our communities have been harassed, racially profiled, and physically attacked. But now is the time for unity and protection for all our people, regardless of immigration status. We join together to reject xenophobia and racism, which only worsen the effects of the pandemic and put immigrants at harm. Together, we demand that this administration and government at all levels respond swiftly and universally to protect and support everyone, including undocumented immigrants.
We know that this is an evolving situation, but time is of the essence. We must take up solutions that center public health needs and that would immediately have a positive impact on immigrants thereby extending to the health of our nation as we pursue a course of action to “flatten the curve.” The following demands are not exhaustive and are likely to expand as we get new information:
Please join with us to demand that President Trump:
Add your name now to ensure all people, regardless of immigration status, have access to care and support to face the COVID-19 pandemic!
Our message to Trump:
The country’s largest, progressive coalition of immigrant rights groups: Community Change Action, United We Dream Action, FIRM Action, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Center for Popular Democracy Action, National Immigration Law Center, and National Immigrant Justice Center come together at this time to demand that the health and safety of every person in the United States, regardless of their immigration status, be prioritized over this administration’s xenophobic, white supremacist agenda.
We demand that President Trump:
Suspend ALL immigration enforcement activities/operations. In this critical moment we strongly demand DHS to suspend all immigration enforcement activities and operations including but not limited to:
Provide COVID-19 testing, treatment and services for ALL. Black, brown, undocumented and low-income communities are particualrly vulnerable to health and economic crises due to lack of health insurance or alternative options to continue generating their income such as remote work and paid sick leave. It is important that government officials (at all levels) ensure that:
Guarantee safe conditions and provide healthcare, testing and support to protect those in detention and prisons. Jails and prisons, including immigration jails, are known for their poor and even squalid conditions often lacking critical hygiene items such as soap, disinfectants and others. In order to prevent unnecessary risk, it is vital that: