| As the hostile federal administration mounts increasing attacks on immigrant families, it is not just some of us that are under threat—it’s all of us. Judges have said Trump’s mass deportation machine is laying the groundwork to surveil, target, and incarcerate anyone and everyone. If the courts don’t protect the most vulnerable among us, everyone is at risk. The only option is to keep showing up.  |
| NO PASS FOR DETENTION PROFITEERS Detention centers have no place in our communities, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy had it right when he signed a law banning private companies from detaining immigrants. The court that struck down his law had it wrong. On May 1, we showed up arm in arm with Make the Road New Jersey to demand that New Jersey’s ban on detention contracts be upheld, to ensure that private profiteers can’t detain families in New Jersey. READ MORE: Crowd of protesters grows outside federal courthouse – Philadelphia Inquirer READ MORE: May Day protests mobilize a growing outcry against Trump – The New York Times  On May 5th, we organized hundreds of Pennsylvanians, immigrant groups, members of the PA House and Senate Welcoming PA Caucus and the PA Legislative Latino Caucus for a powerful rally and display of unity on the state capitol steps in Harrisburg. Our message: What we accept today for immigrants and refugees is what we are willing to accept for citizens tomorrow. And in this moment, no one can be silent. Our demands were clear: Governor Shapiro must take concrete action to make Pennsylvania a true place of refuge for immigrants, including, -Creating safe zones and ending local law enforcement collaboration with ICE -Establishing a statewide immigrant support hotline -Expanding legal defense funding and community-based resources ensuring support for families impacted by detention and deportation We are so grateful for the solidary of our statewide partners as we seek to continue to build solidarity for immigrant rights across Pennsylvania including: ACLU PA, Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition-PIC, My Lehigh Valley, CASA, Keystone Progress, Pennsylvania Stands Up, New PA Project Education Fund, SEIU PA, Action Together NEPA, One PA, Pennsylvanians Together, Movement of Immigrant Leaders in Pennsylvania, APIPA, NextGen America, All Voting Is Local Action, CAIR Pennsylvania, Reclaim Philadelphia, and Comms2.  NO POLICE PARTNERSHIP WITH ICE IN BUCKS COUNTYWe are alarmed and outraged at news that local police are participating in the dangerous 287(g) program, partnering with ICE to power Trump’s overreach and defiance of due process. When Bucks County sheriff applied to bring this dangerous program close to home, we joined ACLU PA for a press conference drawing attention to the ways ICE drains resources, erodes trust, and infringes on people’s privacy. The ACLU is emphatic: One sheriff doesn’t have the authority to ensnare an entire county in ICE’s traps. We’re staying on top of 287(g) and other programs like it. READ MORE: Bucks County Sheriff has no authority to OK controversial ICE program here: ACLU – Bucks County Courier Times With so many arrows aimed at our communities, we cannot afford to slow down. Your support of Make the Road PA is essential to stopping detention, staving off ICE, and protecting immigrants and everyday people. Please consider giving a one time donation or becoming a monthly sustaining donor. In Solidarity,Diana Robinson and Patty Torres Co-Executive Directors of Make the Road Pennsylvania |
