Trump is trying to force cities to stop protecting our people.
Tell your mayor: #DontGiveIn
Dear friend,
On Wednesday, Trump stripped federal funds from "sanctuary cities"--targeting places that are taking a stand to make sure immigrants do not live in fear.1 With this and other executive orders coming down the pike, Trump is following through on a dangerous promise that intends to rip families apart, affecting the 3.8 million Black immigrants who deserve safety and full protection. There is no “wait and see,” we have to fight for our people now.
We can’t let our cities’ mayors give in. Already, mayors in cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles are vowing to fight against Trump's hate.2 But we have to call on them to do more and to never give up. Currently, at least 300 cities in the U.S. consider themselves Sanctuary Cities. That means local governments do not report, give information about nor turn over immigrants to U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE).3 But we need the mayors of these cities to do more. Too many “sanctuary cities” still grapple with state sanctioned violence against and pervasive criminalization of Black and Brown people.
Trump thinks he can make sure all immigrants live in fear and are banned, detained, deported, and ostracized indefinitely--but he's mistaken.
This affects the 3.8 million Black immigrants who seek and deserve safety and full protection. And now, Trump just signed an executive order to place a temporary ban on refugees and a suspension of visas for immigrants from Muslim-majority countries such as Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.4
We must go beyond sanctuary. For our communities, it means :
- We must work to end relationships between local law enforcement and ICE agencies.
- Eliminate cities’ investment with private prison companies and their investors.
- We must work to end the mass incarceration of Black people within the entire prison industrial complex system.
- We will continue to fight back against police violence and hold police departments accountable.
- We must make sure families earn a fair livable wage, and sleep in the comfort of a safe, affordable home.
It’s important that all Black people feel safe and live with dignity.
Black immigrants will be severely affected by the swift and heinous changes the Trump administration makes.Black immigrants make up a disproportionate number of immigrants that come in contact with police and ICE officials, leading to misdemeanor and felony convictions, thus increasing their chances of being deported. Roughly 3.8 million Black immigrants live in the U.S. but make up at least 20% of immigrants that go through through immigration proceedings such as detention.5 With these executive orders coming in, the vulnerability of Black immigrants will surely increase and many more will not be allowed to enter the U.S.
We must recognize the shared experience between Black immigrants and Black U.S. citizens. When one member of our community is under attack -- we are all under attack. Whether it’s being racially profiled and brutalized by police, a family member imprisoned in jail or a detention center, or those who do not have the economic means to support loved ones, our stories and struggles matter. This is why it is necessary to stay committed together to make sure cities do not waver if federal monies are taken away or give in to the Trump totalitarianism.
When a city is declared a Sanctuary city they must do the work by creating policies and a culture that protects and liberates all Black and Brown people. Cities must remain a Sanctuary even when the federal government rejects them. Right this moment, millions of individuals and families are being told they have no place here. Let’s take a stand and demand mayors fight and resist Trump.
Until justice is real,
Rashad, Arisha, Scott, Anay, Clarise, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References :
- “Trump to sign executive orders enabling construction of proposed border wall and targeting sanctuary cities, ” Washington Post, 01.25.2017. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/7304?t=7&akid=6768.1942551.qy1y7P
- "'Sanctuary City' Mayors Vow to Defy Trump's Immigration Order," The New York Times, 01.25.2017 https://act.colorofchange.org/go/7368?t=9&akid=6768.1942551.qy1y7P
- “President Trump threatens to pull money from sanctuary cities like Syracuse, ” Syracuse.com, 01.25.2017 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/7306?t=11&akid=6768.1942551.qy1y7P
- “Trump expected to order temporary ban on refugees, Reuters, 1.25.2017 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/7305?t=13&akid=6768.1942551.qy1y7P
- “Black Lives Matter Co-Founder : The Immigration Challenge No One Is Talking About” Al-Jazeera, 04.29.2015 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/6784?t=15&akid=6768.1942551.qy1y7P
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Help keep our movement strong.
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