Here at CISPES, we’ve been reading the news about kids arriving from Central America and Mexico with a mix of heartbreak and anger, not only because of the racist responses from individuals, governors and various Congressional leaders but also the total abnegation of responsibility from the US government for decades of economic and security policy that have displaced millions of families from their homes. Like us, you’re probably also looking for ways to help. It’s clear that we’ve got a long road ahead of us to end the policies that fuel the separation of families – from trade policies like NAFTA and CAFTA to military aid to the Honduran government to private prisons and detention facilities – and to end deportations. But in the short term, there’s an important message you can send to your Members of Congress today: don’t let this humanitarian crisis be used to ramp up funding for border militarization, detention and deportations. Unfortunately, with only a few short days left before the August Congressional recess starts on Friday, both the House and the Senate have introduced funding bills that would do just that. Event worse, the House proposes to strip Central American children of their right to have a hearing before an immigration judge, which is currently provided by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA). A recent poll shows that 70% of people in the US support the rights of the children to stay and be reunited with their families. Let’s make sure that our elected officials hear from a lot more people like us! Please take a few minutes to call or email your elected officials to let them know that their constituents support the rights of migrant and refugee families.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

1) Call the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative and/or Senators. You can use the following as a guide: “As your constituent, I urge you to put the needs of refugee children and families first. I call on you to oppose any funding authorization or legislation that rolls-back the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 or seeks to fast-track deportations. I urge you to support additional funds for safe housing, social services and legal representation for every child and to oppose any increased funding for border enforcement, detention or deportations.” 2) Click here to send an email to your Representative and Senators.