Your voice is needed to protect immigrant children!
The Issue: You may have heard the news: Due to a new “zero-tolerance” policy regarding immigrants who cross the border between ports of entry, many immigrant children are being separated from their parents at the border. The current Administration has commented that they see this policy as a strategy to discourage other immigrants from coming across the border. We believe that separating children from their parent, in the absence of concern for the safety of the child, is cruel and harmful. This policy is likely to cause trauma for the children and the parents, which may have long-lasting detrimental effects.
The Action Needed: In response to this new policy, several organizations including the ACLU and Domestic Workers Alliance are hosting a non-violent National Day of Action for Children today. Join us today, June 1st at noon at the ICE & US Attorney Offices, 450 Main Street, Hartford for a Families Belong Together Action Day! See more details here. See information on similar events in New Haven and Bridgeport here.
Can’t make it? Or even if you can – today would also be a good day to write or call your Members of Congress to ask them to work with the Department of Homeland Security to reverse this harmful policy. Urge them to focus more attention and funding on addressing the root causes of migration, such as violence, poverty, and climate change.
Here at the Collaborative Center for Justice, we have written to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen, as well as to each of the Connecticut Members of Congress, to voice our strong opposition to this policy and to urge them to work with the Administration to change it. Our faith teaches us that we are called to welcome the stranger, and recognize the dignity and worth of each person. We are called to care for the marginalized and the vulnerable, and we recognize the particular vulnerability of children. We invite you to join us, and many other advocates, in raising our voices to protect immigrant children.
Who to Contact:
Senator Richard Blumenthal: 860.258.6940, 90 State House Sq, 10th Floor, Hartford, CT 06103
Senator Chris Murphy: 860.549.8463, Colt Gateway, 120 Huyshope Ave, Suite 401, Hartford, CT 06106
Representative John Larson: 860.278.8888, 221 Main St, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106
Representative Joe Courtney: 860.886.0139, 77 Hazard Ave, Unit J, Enfield, CT 06082
Representative Rosa DeLauro: 203.562.3718, 59 Elm St, New Haven, CT 06510
Representative Jim Himes: 866.453.0028, 211 State St, 2nd Floor, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Representative Elizabeth Esty: 860.223.8412, 1 Grove St, Suite 600, New Britain, CT 06053
Sample Message: “My name is ____ and I live in your district. I’m calling to urge you to oppose the policy of separating immigrant families at the border and to work with DHS to reverse this policy. This issue is important to me because… Thank you for your time.”
Want to learn more?
“Separating Families at the Border: A Costly Practice” (Justice for Immigrants)
“Sessions Says ‘Zero Tolerance’ For Illegal Border Crossers, Vows To Divide Families” (NPR)
A webinar from Justice for Immigrants that we watched and thought was informative.
Thank you for your advocacy efforts!
