Action Alert
ACTION ALERT:
Across the country and here in Massachusetts, people are organizing to support the rights of immigrants, asylum seekers, and people impacted by sexual and domestic violence and their families.
In Massachusetts, JDI and our allies are advocating for provisions in our state law that would remove barriers for all survivors to access services and ensure that local law enforcement will prioritize their safety.
On a parallel track on the national level, we are opposing the recent steps by the Attorney General Jeff Session and the broader Trump Administration to disregard the commitment to human rights and rule of law that make America great.
We urge you to join us in raising your voice. Here are several actions you can take today!!
MASSACHUSETTS ACTION
MAKE CONTACT: Our advocacy is focused on Speaker Robert DeLeo (617-722-2500) and House Ways & Means Chairman Jeffrey Sánchez (617-722-2990). We are asking them to protect immigrant families in Massachusetts. You can also reach out to your own representative (find yours at http://malegislature.gov/searc h/findmylegislator).
NATIONAL ACTION
Our advocacy on the national front involves who can apply for asylum and what happens when they do.
JDI recently signed on to a letter with hundreds of faith-based, immigration, and anti-violence service and advocacy organizations write to express our profound concern for the lives and safety of immigrant survivors of domestic violence following AG Sessions’ legally and factually erroneous decision in Matter of A-B-. We are calling on Sessions to immediately revoke this cruel and dangerous policy.
An excerpt from this letter sums up our position:
“By treating immigrants like criminals, dehumanizing them and their families, and stripping them of the right to live in safety, you are sending a clear message to immigrant survivors of violence: you aren’t safe here, either. This reflects a shameful attempt to drag the United States back to an era in which women’s rights weren’t recognized as human rights, and when women fleeing horrific gender-based persecution were wrongfully denied protection.”
We also are horrified by the Administration’s actions to separate children from their parents as they come to this country to seek asylum. Please join us in the following actions because #FamiliesBelongTogether!!
SHOW UP: Over 150 actions will be taking place all across the U.S. on June 30th for a NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION – FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER. Visit familiesbelongtogether. org to learn more.
MAKE CONTACT: Weigh in with Members of Congress! Urge them to use Congress’ oversight authority to stop separating families and to VOTE DOWN the two anti-immigrant bill (Rep. Goodlatte and Speaker Ryan) moving through the U.S. House this week (vote expected on Thursday, June 21st). Neither bill addresses the administration’s policy of separating families, and neither bill fixes the administration’s decision to end DACA. Thanks to our partners at the ACLU and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), you can find more details about these issues along with tools to help you make calls, post on social media and make a difference!
LAWYERS NEEDED: If you are a lawyer, please join more than 1,000 lawyers who have signed up to volunteer to do legal work for immigrants separated from their children; find out more here . If you are an organization needing volunteer lawyers, please email Traci Feit Love, President and Executive Director at Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), at support@l4gg.org.