ProgressIowa: Rise Up: Fight Against Child Imprisonment

http://progressiowa.org/2018/06/keepfamiliestogether-5-ways-to-fight-back/

It’s easy to feel powerless when each day brings more and more horrific stories about the parents and children who are detained while peacefully seeking asylum. But there is something you can do to help.

Here are five ways you can take action to fight back against this administration’s cruel detainment policy.

Donate, Donate, Donate

Here’s a list of organizations on the ground fighting the good fight every day to keep families together. Give them your support and tell your friends to do so as well.

Bug Your Congresspeople

Call Senators Grassley and Ernst’s offices, tell them to support the Keep Families Together Act, and bug the hell out of them until they do. Then do the same with your U.S. Representative (you can find out who represents your district here).

They might tell you that there are Republican-sponsored proposals that they are considering, but these proposals would couple ending this policy to other immigration items on the Trump/GOP agenda such as funding that damn wall that Trump still wants. Tell them we need clean legislation that stops this blatant human rights violation.

Give Your Time

Informed Immigrant has created a searchable resource to find immigration service organizations near you. Just plug in your ZIP code and you’re on your way!

The organization RAICES is also hosting a National Immigration Support webinar on June 21 on how to support immigrants in your community who have recently been released from detention.

Make A Big Deal About This

Get mad. Stay mad. Use it as fuel. Make signs. Join a protest. Talk to your family, your friends and your coworkers. Do whatever you can to draw attention to this giant human rights violation.

People are more willing to stand up when they see that they’re not the only ones who care about an issue. Write about the issue on social media. Share accurate posts about what’s happening at the border and the detention centers. Share events and actions that your friends and followers can take and encourage them to join in the fight with you.

Vote Like Your Life Depends On It (Because It Really Does For A Lot Of People)

By now, you probably know that the upcoming midterm elections are a BIG FREAKING DEAL if we’re going to get this country back on track. Do your research on candidates and their stances. Make sure you’re registered to vote, that you have a plan to vote in November, and that all your friends and family do the same.

It’s on all of us to make sure that this situation is resolved.