Dear ________:
I'm writing to you in response to the biggest immigration raid in U.S. history, which took place on May 12 in Postville, Iowa. Those arrested were railroaded through the justice system at unprecedented speed, without being given the opportunity to meet with legal counsel. Their families were broken apart, now have no income whatsoever, and are completely dependent on charity in order to survive. An entire community was traumatized. This action and others like it are utterly deplorable and shameful.
The vast majority of those who live and work here without authorization are merely trying to provide for their families. They pay taxes; they form a vital part of the economy; they take jobs no one else wants. The world economy is such that they have no choice but to risk their lives to come here.
I'm asking you to work for change in three ways:
1. The ICE raids must stop immediately. They are harsh, draconian measures that have no place in American life.
2. We must create reasonable avenues for the economic refugees living here to gain authorization and the protections and civil rights that every human being is entitled to, as well as a path to citizenship, if that is their desire.
3. We must take responsibility for this situation and do all that we can to alter the forces causing the mass migration and displacement of people from their homelands. We must address the economic dynamics between the United States and the rest of the world so that it is possible for the people of developing nations to live and support their families.
Please make these urgent matters a priority. Please do all in your power to confront this humanitarian crisis and act courageously to do what is right and just on behalf of the economic refugees in our midst.
Sincerely,
We are also distributing copies of the letter to friends, familiy, acquaintances, hairdressers, pretty much anybody willing to send one, or five. Please feel free to send a copy of the letter yourself, or better yet, write your own. Please feel free to distribute it far and wide. The more the merrier.
What's happening--the raids, the fear, the hate-mongering--is too gross, too horrific, not to respond to. A mild little letter-writing campaign seems pretty meager, but it's a start. I just refuse to accept these horrible raids and how they're terrorizing hundreds of families and innocent children. Homeland security my foot. Just who are the terrorists?
Further thoughts on how to effectively rattle the bars of the cage are welcome. We're making this up as we go along. |
Receive information on the latest action items, media campaigns, and legislative initiatives from ProMigrant
No spam or press release dumps from DC advocacy groups, lobbyists, or politicos. No requests for donations, or re-directs to astroturf groups looking to harvest your e-mail information.
Just real action for real change from real grassroots activists.
