Tell your members of Congress: Reject the White House’s request for another $4.5 billion to terrorize refugees

The White House is asking for an extra $4.5 billion to target, separate, detain, and deport immigrants and asylum seekers. They’re trying to claim that some of this money is for “humanitarian” purposes, but we’ve seen enough to know that’s not true.

The Trump administration is co-opting a refugee crisis to pay for more human suffering. Here are some toplines of what they’re requesting:

• $342 million to expand even further the deadly, abusive immigration detention system to be able to detain nearly 54,000 people every day.
• $377 million to further militarize the border, including an increase in funding for “Operation Guardian” which sends the National Guard to do Border Patrol’s bidding.
• $155 million for the Department of Justice US Marshals to criminalize people seeking to claim their legal right to asylum by prosecuting them for unauthorized entry or re-entry.
• And more to lock up immigrants and refugees, separate families, and deny asylees protection from harm. You can read more in our Defund Hate resource here.

Whether Congress says Yes or No to this budget request is up to us right now. Today, join thousands of people across the country, from Bend the Arc, Indivisible and other allies, to demand immigrant justice — call your members of Congress to tell them to reject Trump's request.

Call 

1-844-332-6361

1-844-909-0232

National call-in day: Thursday, May 9th

Sample Script:

“Hi, my name is [first and last name] and I'm a constituent of [member of Congress]. How our country treats immigrants is a very important issue for me, so I'm calling to ask [member of Congress] to reject the White House’s request for another $4.5 billion to further terrorize immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. I want [member of Congress] to urge their party’s leadership to reject the White House budget request.”

More Information:

TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO DEFUND HATE - Indivisible 

White House asks for $4.5 billion in emergency funds for border - CNN Newsource

White House Asks Congress for $4.5 Billion in Emergency Funds to Deal with Border Crisis -Yahoo Finance 

Sign the petition: Trump's CBP chief has got to go

Jakelin Caal Maquin died after CBP agents refused to give her basic medical care.

The petition to U.S. Border and Customs Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan: "Resign now." Add your name:

CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan has blood on his hands. Recently, news broke of the tragic death of 7-year-old asylum seeker Jakelin Caal Maquin. She died of dehydration and cardiac arrest after CBP agents refused to give her basic medical care.1 No one should ever suffer a death like this. Yet so many immigrants have at the hands of CBP.2 CBP has a long record of corruption, using lethal force and abusing migrants in its custody.3 And with a Trump foot soldier like McAleenan at its helm, CBP's violence against immigrants is escalating. From separating immigrant families to tear gassing them, McAleenan is carrying out all of Trump's demands. He is dangerous, and he has to go. Kevin McAleenan has got to go. Click here to sign the petition. Jakelin is just the latest victim of CBP's racism and violence. In May, border agents brutally gunned down 20-year-old Guatemalan refugee Claudia Gomez Hernandez and killed transgender asylum seeker Roxsana Hernandez by failing to give her food, water and basic medical care.4,5 Like Jakelin, Roxsana died of dehydration and cardiac arrest. CBP tried to cover up Claudia's death, just like it did Jakelin's. McAleenan's agents claimed that Claudia attacked them with a piece of wood, though video footage proved that there was no wood near the scene. Similarly, McAleenan kept Jaklin's death secret from the public and Congress for nearly a week. When the story broke, CBP agents tried to blame Jakelin's death on the negligence of her father, spinning a fake story about the poor health of the child.6 This horrific pattern of deception needs to stop now. CBP is the largest law enforcement agency in the country, but it operates with little government oversight. Since 2003, CBP agents have killed 97 people, including six children and more than 25 U.S. citizens.7 While the causes of death vary, the majority of killings were from bullet wounds, in many cases from shots to the back.8 To justify deadly force, CBP routinely claims that victims of its violence attacked agents. McAleenan used that same defense to justify Claudia's murder and most recently, to defend his agency's use of tear gas and rubber bullets to attack families and children attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.9 Enough. McAleenan is a ruthless Trump loyalist and enforcer who is violating the human rights of migrants and refugees, and empowering border agents to abuse and kill them with impunity. The only laws he respects are the ones that propel Trump's racist agenda forward. Rep. Joaquín Castro is already demanding that McAleenan resign.10 CREDO activists called for McAleenan's resignation and projected images of Jakelin, Roxsana and Claudia on his home last night.11 Will you add your name now to keep the momentum going? Kevin McAleenan has got to go. Click the link below to sign the petition. https://act.credoaction.com/sign/mcAleenan_resign/?t=8&akid=30957%2E3130208%2Ekw42ta - Nicole Regalado, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Robert Moore and Nick Miroff, "Attorneys for father of deceased migrant girl say border agents did not provide water," The Washington Post, Dec. 19, 2018. Daniel Altschuler and Natalia Aristizabal, "Claudia Gómez González Wasn’t Killed by a Rogue Border Agent—She Was Killed by a Rogue Agency," The Nation, May 29, 2018. Sarah Macaraeg, "Fatal encounters: 97 deaths point to pattern of border agent violence across America," The Guardian, May 2, 2018. Annie Rose Ramos, "Transgender migrant from Honduras dies in U.S. custody, NBC, May 30, 2018." Altschuler and Aristizabal, "Claudia Gómez González Wasn’t Killed by a Rogue Border Agent—She Was Killed by a Rogue Agency." Anne Flaherty and Wil Cruz, "Border Patrol head didn't tell Congress about Jakelin Caal Maquin to avoid 'politicizing' girl's death, ABC, May 30, 2018." Altschuler and Aristizabal, "Claudia Gómez González Wasn’t Killed by a Rogue Border Agent—She Was Killed by a Rogue Agency." Macaraeg, "Fatal encounters: 97 deaths point to pattern of border agent violence across America." Nick Miroff, "Top U.S. border official defends use of tear gas, says walls are 'important tool'," The Washington Post, Dec. 11, 2018. Suzanne Gamboa and Gabe Gutierrez, "Congressman Castro demands top border official resign after migrant girl's death," NBC, Dec. 18, 2018. CREDO, "CREDO Action: Live Protest at CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan’s House.," Dec. 20, 2018.

Tell the United Nations to investigate U.S. human rights violations of asylum seekers

The petition to the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights and High Commissioner on Refugees reads: "Launch an investigation into U.S. human rights violations of asylum seekers." Add your name:

Tear gas and rubber bullets should never be used to attack asylum seekers. Yet, Donald Trump's deportation force used these weapons against unarmed refugee children and families. It also recently closed a major port of entry. And now, his hateful administration is considering a new rule that would require many refugees to pay an asylum fee.1 These actions are in gross violation of international law. More than 100,000 CREDO members recently demanded that the United Nations send observers to the border. Now we need it to go one step further and immediately launch an investigation. Tell the United Nations to investigate U.S. human rights violations of asylum seekers. Click here to sign the petition. The Trump administration has treated members of the migrant caravan like enemy combatants. It has launched tear gas and rubber bullet attacks against them, extended the military occupation at the border and authorized troops to use lethal force.2 Caravan members are unarmed refugees fleeing extreme poverty, violence and oppression. We should be welcoming them, not using violence and slowdown tactics to force them to give up and turn back. The Trump regime's "metering" system is causing major delays, confusion and chaos at the border.3 It severely restricts the number of asylum seekers who enter the country every day. International law requires the United States to review every application for asylum. This system is preventing refugees from even applying. Now, the Trump administration is considering a new rule that would require many refugees to pay an asylum fee, adding yet another barrier to the process. It is also conspiring with the Mexican government to send these asylum seekers back to the countries they fled.4 These actions violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees under which the United States government has obligations. There is enough evidence for the United Nations to launch an investigation. It's up to us force it to act. Join us and our friends at Presente, Puente and Mijente to demand that the United Nations investigate human rights violations at the border immediately. Tell the United Nations to investigate U.S. human rights violations of asylum seekers. Click the link below to sign the petition. https://act.credoaction.com/sign/un_investigation?t=7&akid=30830%2E3130208%2ElDPSnC - Nicole Regalado, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Michael Burke, "Trump mulling charging immigrants a fee for applying for asylum: report," The Hill, Dec. 4, 2018. Wesley Morgan, "Mattis extends border troop mission until end of January," POLITICO, Dec. 4, 2018. Jonathan Blitzer, "The long wait for Tijuana migrants to process their own asylum claims," The New Yorker, Nov. 29, 2018. The Guardian, "Mexico to deport up to 500 migrants who tried to cross US border," Nov. 26, 2018.

Tell Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis: Stop deploying U.S. troops to the border to threaten asylum seekers

Donald Trump is using the military to promote his racism and threaten migrant families.

The petition to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis reads: "Cancel the deployment of troops heading to the United States-Mexico border." Add your name:

President Trump wants to manufacture a crisis out of a caravan of vulnerable asylum seekers 1,000 miles from the border.1 His goal is to incite right-wing fear and hatred before next week's midterm elections. By sending thousands of troops armed with lethal ammunition to the border, Secretary Mattis is putting migrant families and other vulnerable communities at risk for Trump's political gain.2 Asylum seekers are not a threat to the United States. Trump’s hatred and rising authoritarianism are the real emergency. We must call on Secretary Mattis to end his complicity with Trump's racist agenda now. Tell Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis: Cancel the deployment of troops to the border. Click here to sign the petition. Let’s be clear: The United States is not under attack. The families walking from Central America are survivors of deadly state and domestic violence, climate devastation and poverty.3 They are coming to exercise their right under U.S. law to petition for asylum. But instead of fulfilling his legal obligation to evaluate their asylum claims,4 Trump plans to terrorize migrants with military force. His dangerous ploy is part of a white supremacist agenda that includes banning Muslims, restricting legal immigration, separating children from their families and denying citizenship to children of immigrants born in the United States.5 Escalating the war on migrants is beyond dangerous – especially after a tragic week of white supremacist violence and hate. Jewish elders murdered at synagogue. Black elders murdered at a supermarket. Bombs mailed to Trump's political opponents. It is deplorable that instead of denouncing the white supremacy that fuels these hateful acts, Trump is stoking more fear and violence against migrants. Further militarizing the border will do nothing to keep our country safe. But it will terrorize and harm vulnerable migrant families and add fuel to the fires of racism and xenophobia. That's why we are joining with our friends at Win Without War to speak up and prevent Secretary Mattis from enabling Trump’s desperate, dangerous fear-mongering now. Tell Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis: Cancel the deployment of troops to the border. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/mattis-border?t=7&akid=30527%2E3130208%2EQXPDt5 - Brandy Doyle, CREDO Action Add your name: References: John Cassidy, "Donald Trump Launches Operation Midterms Diversion," The New Yorker, Oct. 30, 2018. Ted Hesson and Wesley Morgan, "Trump’s troop deployment to the border comes under fire," POLITICO, Oct. 29, 2018. Washington Office on Latin America, "9 Questions (and Answers) About the Central American Migrant Caravan," Oct. 22, 2018. Maya Rhodan, "President Trump Threatened to Turn Back Caravan Migrants If They Don't Claim Asylum in Mexico. That's Not Legal," TIME, Oct. 23, 2018. William Cummings and David Jackson, "President Trump says he plans to end birthright citizenship with an executive order," USA Today, Oct. 30, 2018.

SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT: Don't let children grow up behind bars.

The Trump administration is now proposing indefinite detention of all children with parents seeking asylum. In a new proposed regulation, the White House is seeking to override the Flores settlement, a court ruling that forbids holding immigrant children in prison settings for longer than 20 days and provides basic minimal protections like a meal schedule, education, and access to legal support. If enacted, this means children could spend months and even years locked away while their cases are being processed—some learning to crawl, walk, and talk behind bars.

Public comment is being sought on this proposed regulation. Click here to voice your strong opposition to this new attempt to undermine human rights and traumatize children and families seeking safety.

Information on submitting a comment:

• Each public comment needs to be individualized to be counted. This is not a “click and send.” Please take a few moments to personalize your comment by speaking from your heart. Anyone can comment, you do not need to be an expert. You can find more background about the family separation policy here.
• If you are a professional in a field and can speak to this issue from your area of expertise, please do so. This applies to medical and public health fields, ministers and faith leaders, educators, social workers and therapists, and any other connection you may want to draw on.
• Public comments matter. They can influence policy. They also become public record and can be used to help upcoming legal challenges  to the proposed rule.

We have until November 6 to organize as many comments as possible. Please spread the word! President Trump must hear that we will not tolerate this violation of human rights, the basic dignities afforded to all, and our nation’s values. Submit your comment now.

Tell Congress stop privatizing incarceration of immigrant families and asylum seekers

Privatized detention and incarceration centers are hell on earth--and they are big business for private companies. Ending private detention is a way to start ending detention - period.

Between 2014 and 2018, the Office of Refugee Resettlement paid private companies $3.4 billion to house migrant children. Further, 44 percent of those companies face serious, well documented reports and allegations of child maltreatment.

In these centers children suffer from:

• Forced administration of psychotropic drugs
• Jail-like conditions with armed officers
• Physical abuse, sexual abuse and even death

Sign this petition to demand Congress end privatizing detention and incarceration now!

Another $2 billion is spent on adults facilities--more of which are being built to support Trump’s white nationalist immigration policy. These privatized detention centers are big money makers for the industry. And Trump has benefited from these industries, receiving monetary donations from industry CEOs. This is sickening and must end now.

 
Sign this petition to demand that Congress stop privatizing detention and incarceration centers that abuse thousands of immigrant children and families!

Message to Congress:

We demand that you end privatization of detention and incarceration of immigrant families and asylum seekers. These private contracts have led to documented cases of physical, psychological, and sexual abuses of children and families. Children have died in these facilities. End the suffering and injustices of these cruel companies. Stop privatizing detention of immigrant families now.

Participating Partners:

• Brave New Films
• CHIRLA
• Courage Campaign
• Daily Kos
• Franciscan Action Network
• People Demanding Action
• People's Action
• PFAW (People For the American Way)
• Progress America
• Rashida Tlaib for Congress
• United We Dream

Tell border state U.S. attorneys: Defend the Constitution. Stop enforcing zero-tolerance

The petition to southern border state U.S. attorneys reads: "Donald Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy is cruel and inhumane. It's causing chaos at the border and undermining basic constitutional rights. Refuse to enforce this racist policy and stop prosecuting immigrants without due process." Add your name: The fight to end Donald Trump's war on immigrants is a fight to protect our democracy. When Donald Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy went into effect, many federal courts in border states began enforcing it by conducting mass immigration trials. In Texas, federal courts are prosecuting up to 70 immigrants at once, making it impossible for defense attorneys to speak to each immigrant, let alone gather evidence and properly represent them in court.1 This violates immigrants' basic constitutional rights to due process and effective legal representation. U.S. attorneys can and should use their discretion to safeguard constitutional rights instead of following racist directives that undermine them. Speak out now to demand that all border state U.S. attorneys refuse to prosecute immigrants without due process and stop enforcing Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy. Tell border state U.S. attorneys: Defend the Constitution. Stop enforcing zero-tolerance. Click here to sign the petition. Trump and Jeff Sessions' zero-tolerance policy criminalizes every undocumented immigrant – including asylum seekers – and gives DHS and CBP the power to separate and lock up immigrant families. Border enforcement already ripped an estimated 2,700 children from their families and imprisoned them in cages.2 Massive public pressure forced Trump to address this cruel policy, but his latest executive order created another crisis. Instead of decriminalizing and reuniting immigrant families, Trump expanded family detention. Now, DHS has the power to imprison immigrant families indefinitely.3 That is unacceptable. The Trump regime is treating immigrants like enemies of the state when in fact, the most dangerous threats to our democracy are occupying the Oval Office and leading the Department of Justice. Trump and Sessions' zero-tolerance policy allows Trump's cruel regime to undermine basic constitutional rights so it can tear apart and lock up any community whose presence in the United States threatens the white supremacy at the core of the administration's agenda. U.S. attorneys have the power to stop this attack on immigrants and our Constitution by simply not complying. We need to make sure they use it. Early this week, I joined hundreds of activists from across the country in San Diego, California to expose and publicly condemn U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman for collaborating with Trump's hateful regime and demand that he protect the constitutional rights of immigrants at the border.4 Now, we must keep the pressure on all border state U.S. attorneys and demand that they stop enforcing Trump's racist directives immediately. Tell border state U.S. attorneys: Defend the Constitution. Stop enforcing zero-tolerance. Click the link below to sign the petition. https://act.credoaction.com/sign/usattorneys_resisttrump?t=7&akid=29177%2E3130208%2EUtX33B - Nicole Regalado, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Lindsay Van Dyke and Roberto Daza, "The U.S. is conducting mass immigration trials at the border. Here's what it's like," VICE, June 12, 2018. Dara Lind, "The Trump administration’s separation of families at the border, explained," Vox, June 15, 2018. CBS News, "Trump administration calls for expanded use of immigrant family detention," June 23, 2018. Kate Morrissey, "Protesters blockade federal courthouse, drape banner from hotel; 10 arrested," The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 2, 2018.