What can we do?
Now that we are armed with information about the human rights violations happening in ICE detention facilities, we have to act! Knowledge is important, but change will only come when collective action is taken. Therefore, we have compiled an interactive list of organizations / causes to get involved with in order to support the abolition of ICE.
1
get woke
Be a leader & a ‘follower’
One of the easiest ways to stay informed regarding the fight against ICE is to follow activists / advocates and organizations on social media!
Here is a handy guide to the immigrant rights activists and experts you should follow on Twitter & other social media platforms !
2
make your voice heard
Contact your legislators
Find Your Representatives and write to them with your concerns regarding ICE! You can also contact the White House regarding the need to abolish ICE - President Joe Biden made promises to his voters about immigration reform, let’s hold him accountable.
Here is a template to use if you would like - feel free to simply copy, paste and personalize and make your voice heard to government officials.
Dear [insert legislator’s name here],
I am one of your many constituents and I am writing to you today about the pressing need to abolish the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The current organization of immigration services and agencies within the U.S. denote a powerful and pervasive understanding of immigrants as a threat to the nation and its citizens’ safety. Since its establishment in 2002, the Department of Homeland Security has led to a significant increase in the vilification and deportation of unauthorized immigrants with no criminal record.
In addition to these mass deportations, immigration detention facilities have become sites of increasing crimes against humanity, as evidenced by the horrible abuses of immigrants and asylum seekers at the hands of ICE agents. Recently, it has been revealed that an immigrant detention facility in Adelanto, California was spraying detainees with HDQ neutral, a poisonous disinfectant that causes respiratory illness, as means to ‘protect’ them against Covid while also simultaneously openly defying CDC guidelines. This kind of mistreatment of immigrants and asylum-seekers is simply unacceptable and I encourage you to advocate for the termination of such horrible atrocities and the abolition of ICE altogether.
Everyday politicians and members of the public turn a blind eye to these injustices against immigrants and asylum-seekers, which has created endless opportunity for the continuation of abuses, such as those being observed at the Adelanto facility. ICE as an agency rests upon a foundation of racialized fallacies, xenophobia, and devaluation of human life. Therefore, in order to stop the spraying of detainees with HDQ neutral, we must advocate for the abolition of ICE, for this is only one of the horrors immigrants face at the hands of this despicable agency. Thank you for your time.
Your Constituent,
[insert name here]
3
be that person
Speak up in your own communities and social circles
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One of the best ways to inspire collective action in your community is to simply talk about these issues ! Here are a couple key ideas to keep in mind:
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Use the word “undocumented” instead of “illegal” and correct the language of others.
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Intervene if you hear someone using offensive or dehumanizing language, reinforcing harmful stereotypes or sharing incorrect information. It is important to not be a bystander.
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Allyship: Listen to members of the communities affected most by inhumane immigrant laws or follow them on social media. Lead with empathy and accept that you will never truly understand these experiences.
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Take action and encourage others to act with you!
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Here are some additional resources about how to navigate these conversations:
4
squad up
Get Involved with local & national organizations actively working to abolish ICE
United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led network in the nation! UWD empowers people to develop their leadership, their organizing skills, and to develop campaigns to fight for justice and dignity for immigrants and all people. They offer a variety of tools & resources to create meaningful change in the community.
RAICES is an incredible non-profit organization that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees. They have a wide variety of ways to take action to ensure the rights of immigrants and refugees !
Rise & Resist was created in response to the 2016 election - they are a direct action group made up of both new and experienced activists committed to opposing, disrupting, and defeating any government act that threatens democracy, equality, and our civil liberties. Learn more about Rise & Resist NOW !
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is one of the largest and most effective advocates for immigrant rights, organizing, educating and defending immigrants and refugees in the streets, in the courts, and in the halls of power. Take action with CHIRLA NOW!
Shareable Infographics
Download the following infographics, available in Spanish and English, to share on your social media.
