Updated July 2019
This year, many July 4th celebrations took a somber tone in light of the reports concerning the detained immigrant children who arrived through our nation’s southern border. The United States is often associated with concepts of freedom and independence but in the last few weeks, many of us question such an association. Thousands of immigrant children, mainly coming from Central America to escape violent and harsh conditions, are being detained in the US for seeking a better life here. And it feels wrong to say that America is a country of freedom if it cannot support the young children seeking freedom and cage them for it instead.
The reports and statistics surrounding the detainment centers for these kids are equally depressing and infuriating. Observer accounts detail how the basic needs of the immigrant children aren’t being met. Countless children are placed into crowded metallic-fenced areas in cold, windowless buildings. Many do not get beds or blankets and must sleep on concrete floors. The children’s personal hygiene is denied because of the inadequate supply of toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and more. They hardly have any opportunity to shower, use the toilet, and brush their teeth. The food is subpar and proper drinking water is scarce. And as poor, unsanitary conditions persist, disease and illness fester among the children and there isn’t enough medication. Consider also that there are teenage mothers and infants in these detention centers, so they aren’t getting the particular care they need either. The list of terrible living conditions goes on.
Children are only supposed to stay in these centers for 72 hours before being given to the Department of Health and Human Services. The HHS is then in charge of connecting the children to their closest relatives. However, it seems that the children are being detained for days, even weeks.
These are life-threatening conditions. The trauma they will most definitely sustain is as unfathomable as it is devasting. Bleak pictures drawn by children released from US Customs and Border facilities demonstrate this trauma. And in the last year, the ACLU reports that there have been 7 immigrant child deaths. It’s one too many. Though it may seem very difficult to help these migrant children and families directly, there are organizations that are trying to make sure they get the help they need and to reform immigration policy. The organizations listed below are some of the few that you can donate to and help migrant families during this terrible crisis:
Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights
This organization visits immigrant kids inside the detention centers weekly and accompanies them to immigration proceedings. Young Center also raises money for advocates who will deal specifically with family separation cases. Between working with attorneys, social workers, and bilingual volunteers, Young Center makes it a point to help advocate what is in their best interests of an immigrant child. This includes working on immigration policy to reform immigration laws to make sure all migrant children are supported first.
Border Angels are one of the few organizations working constantly at the border all year round. Currently, they are working with migrants from the caravan in Tijuana. At the camp, the organization provides camping gear items, tents, food, clothes, shoes, hygiene products, and baby products for the migrants. The Border Angels also put water jugs at the actual border for those traveling in the desert and trying to get border ports to ask for asylum.
Since July 2018, Lawyer Moms of America collect airline frequent flyer miles to be used for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers as well as provide travel for attorneys doing volunteer immigration work. They have approximately collected 1.2 million pledged miles to provide over 60 flights. The miles and donated funds have been used to reunite several children and parents separated by the family separation policy, provide travel to immigrant families for treatment of urgent medical needs, and flew volunteer attorneys to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas to do vital immigration work.
RAICES is one of the oldest nonprofit agency that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees. In 2017 they were able to close 51,000 cases at no cost to their clients. They not only provide legal services but also have a hotline where anyone who has information on how parents and children who have been separated upon entry to the United States. As well as giving legal advocates an easy, confidential place to share data of missing parents. Through their hotline, they have already learned of 453 kids and missing parents.
Make a call.
Call your Congressperson and say “Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and my zip code is [YOUR ZIP]. Do not use my taxpayer money to fund the Department of Homeland Security as it continues to detain families, abuse immigrant children, and unleash ICE to terrorize communities.” If you don’t know who your congressperson visits the U.S. House of Representatives website and enter your ZIP code to find out whom to contact. To reach your U.S. senator as well go to the U.S. Senate website and choose your state.
By: Wuendy Calmo