A Day Without Immigrants

Dear Friends,

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, including immigrants.

Protests across the nation are uplifting the contributions immigrants make on a daily basis to this country. Many symbols of America speak directly to our historic commitment to immigrants and refugees, including but certainly not limited to, our Statue of Liberty. Immigrants, regardless of legal status, contribute to our history, culture, economy, diversity, and richness as Americans. America has offered opportunity and immigrants have helped fuel innovation and prosperity for the nation. To put it plainly, it has been a reciprocal relationship of historic proportion.

Today, and every day, we must remember that immigrant rights are human rights. As a proud granddaughter of immigrants and indigenous people to this nation, I urge us all to treat immigrant families with the dignity that must be afforded to all human beings. Our children should expect nothing less.

Social justice and self-determination dictate that we must continue to break down the walls, within ourselves and those that exist externally, that prevent us from acknowledging the humanity that truly has the power to unite us. We are certain that we must protect the most vulnerable among us. We are also certain that our approach must be inclusionary and expansive to create a better future for our children and communities.

 

In Service,
Josefina Alvarado Mena, Esq.
CEO
Safe Passages