The recent election results have significant implications for our immigrant communities, many of whom are undocumented or have sought refuge here to escape instability. With Trump’s proposed anti-immigration policies and promises of massive deportation campaigns, we foresee a heightened state of fear and uncertainty. Our organization is committed to countering this climate by intensifying efforts to protect immigrants’ rights and inform our community about their legal protections.
In anticipation of these challenges, we will draw on our experience from Trump’s first term, when deportations surged and many individuals, including members of our local Senegalese and Mauritanian Muslim community, were detained or deported. This period saw immigrants held in detention centers even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, creating traumatic and life-altering impacts.
To safeguard our community, we will launch advocacy campaigns and engage in widespread community education through our social media platforms, public forums, and local events. Our aim is to keep immigrant communities informed and empowered to navigate this uncertain period. We are also pursuing funding to expand our team, allowing us to take on more full-time staff who can focus on planning, executing, and scaling our advocacy strategies. With a larger team, we’ll be able to offer more comprehensive support and better respond to the evolving needs of our community.
Local activists play a crucial role in standing up against repressive policies and supporting immigrant communities. We invite activists to collaborate with us, building a coalition of voices to oppose Trump’s anti-immigration agenda. This could include organizing regular community meetings, peaceful demonstrations, and public events that make a strong statement in favor of immigrant rights.
Activists can also support immigrants’ integration efforts by helping with practical needs, such as offering job application assistance, coordinating information sessions, and organizing free English language classes. These services not only empower immigrants to become self-sufficient but also help them earn money to cover legal expenses and other necessities.
By coming together as a unified force, local activists and community members can make a powerful impact, showing solidarity and commitment to a fairer, more humane immigration system.
https://ohioimmigrant.org/2024/11/08/they-most-of-them-lived-through-trump-1-0/
