Many young migrant children are currently enduring awful conditions at the United States border amidst heated discussions on our country’s immigration policies. The nightly news has well documented the overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and abuse these children are currently going through along with other family members. Some reports suggest minors are going weeks without access to enough food or even space to sleep.
Here’s what you can do to take action and help children who are struggling in detainment.
- Support Advocacy Organizations
Many advocacy organizations offer a wide array of services to immigrant children and families. These families often need costly legal representation that is otherwise unavailable to them as immigrants. Other advocacy organizations provide humanitarian aid and shelter for those without it.
Organizations like the ACLU and United We Dream seek to reform immigration laws at the national level. Each of these advocacy groups need monetary donations from volunteers to continue their efforts. If it is within your budget, aiding these organizations in their fight can be a tremendous help.
- Write Elected Officials
Putting pressure on your representative with petitions and signatures of people in your community can help tremendously. It shows our representatives in Congress that the current Southern border conditions are inhumane and unjust. Congress has voted to pass a $4.6 billion humanitarian aid bill for migrant children, which is a good start.
- Educate Yourself
If you live in an area with a large immigrant population, it would be wise to educate yourself. Staying up-to-date with the current immigration system is a complex order. You can show support for immigrants by opposing detention centers. Boost accurate information to increase exposure and be aware of Know Your Rights training centers in your area.
- Protest
Organizations like MoveOn, United We Dream, and Families Belong Together are organizing protests nationwide. You can find organization information for the latest efforts under the hashtag #CloseTheCamps on Twitter. These rallies are slated to continue until action is taken to address the issues at the border.
- Attend a Townhall
Many elected representatives will hold town hall sessions in their districts during the Congressional recess in August. Make plans to attend these and ask your representative what they plan to do about these conditions at the border. Making immigration reform a front and center issue for many representatives seeking re-election next year can be hugely beneficial in the fight to improve conditions at the border.