Last week Kirstjen Nielsen and other top leadership of the Dept. of Homeland Security were forced out by President Trump for not being harsher on immigrants and asylum seekers. We know migrant children have been forcibly separated from their parents by the Border Patrol. We know that extensive reports of rampant abuse and sexual violations have been made by migrants at the border. This is a completely unacceptable way for a democratic civilization to behave toward human beings at our borders.
From the ACLU statement on immigrant detention:
“Our immigration detention system locks up hundreds of thousands of immigrants unnecessarily every year, exposing detainees to brutal and inhumane conditions of confinement at massive costs to American taxpayers. Recently, mothers and children, who are mainly asylum seekers fleeing violence in Central America, have been detained in family detention centers.
“The “lock ’em up” approach to detention is contrary to common sense and our fundamental values. In America, liberty should be the norm for everyone—and detention the last resort.”
ACTION: Tell lawmakers that we must protect immigrants from inhumane treatment by our government.
It’s the weekend, but this is such an important issue that we’re asking you to leave voicemail for our MOCs, which lawmakers’ staff will document when they return to offices on Monday. Be sure to include your name and city/zip in your message so they can identify you when you leave a voicemail message.
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Senator Patty Murray: DC – 202-224-2621 Seattle – 206-553-5545
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Senator Maria Cantwell: DC – 202-224-3441 Seattle – 206-220-6400
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Rep. Pramila Jayapal: DC – 202-225-3106 Seattle – 206-674-0040
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Rep. Adam Smith: DC – 202-225-8901 Renton – 425-793-5180
SCRIPT:
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP]. I am calling to express my outrage and sadness at the continued abuse of immigrants and asylyum seekers at our borders. This is a situation that we, as a free and democratic society, must eliminate. Please do everything possible to liberate asylum seekers and their families from brutal Border Patrol custody. Thank you.”
Background:
“Immigrants’ Rights and Detention” – https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention
GOOD NEWS
“Judge Delivers Major Setback to Trump Policy to Increase Coal Mining on Federal Land” – https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/climate/court-trump-coal-mining-setback.html
DON’T FORGET
RESIST TRUMP TUESDAY RALLY
Tues. Apr. 23, 11:45 am-1:30 pm – Resist Trump Tuesday Rallies (2nd & 4th Tuesdays):
At the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Avenue. The outdoor rally is followed by a meeting inside the Federal Building with Staffers from our lawmakers’ offices.
SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE MEETING
Tuesday, May. 7, 7:00 pm – Seattle Indivisible Meeting (1st & 3rd Tuesdays):
At the Washington State Labor Council in the Central District, 321 16th Avenue. This meeting venue is wheelchair-accessible, and can be reached by King County Metro buses 7, 14, 27, and 106, and the First Hill Streetcar.
