We Hold our Children and Families in our Hearts
June 19, 2019
Dear Friends.
Safe Passages is all about children and families. For over twenty years we have dedicated our passion and resources to advocating for disenfranchised children, families, and communities. Disenfranchisement is not passive or without pain. Disenfranchisement is violent, volatile, and inflicts pain and suffering on those victimized by injustice. Our hearts are breaking with the ongoing onslaught on our children and families. While we are struggling to accept the reality of the internment of our children and families, we must move forward with our eyes wide open.
Yesterday, our highest court affirmed a federal travel ban that unconstitutionally targets Muslims and people of color. The same majority opinion took the opportunity to provide a long-overdue correction of the Japanese Internment decision stemming from a WWII Executive Order in Korematsu v. The US from 1944. Chief Justice Roberts writing for the majority wrote, “Korematsu was gravely wrong the day it was decided, has been overruled in the court of history, and—to be clear—‘has no place in law under the Constitution.’”
We are living in a time of “doublespeak,” and we cannot be distracted or redirected from the fact that once again a group of human beings are being unconstitutionally targeted based on national origin and religion.
As we hold the TWO THOUSAND BABIES AND CHILDREN separated from their families at the U.S./Mexico boarder in our minds and hearts we must reaffirm for our nation the following:
– Every child and family is born with inalienable human rights.
– Every child and family has the right to be treated with dignity and humanity.
– Our children and families are our country’s greatest resources.
– It is inhumane, cruel and unusual punishment, and amoral to separate babies and children from their families and house them in cages.
– We are in the midst of immigrant and humanitarian crises. And we must respond accordingly.
– We are Americans and we are better than this. We should be leaders in protecting the human rights of all people.
– We must demand that our representatives govern in a manner that is consistent with our constitution and respects the human rights of all people.
At times, this work is painful because we actively challenge the injustices faced by the communities we represent and serve. This is one of those times. We must assemble all our hope and skill to challenge the dehumanization of immigrants, refugees, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, women, and children. At Safe Passages we are committed to protecting the communities we serve and to challenge the active dismantling of our families. Please stand with us as we embark upon our 23rd year of service to our communities. We can help bind our nation to the principles of democracy and justice.
In Heartbreak and in Hope,
Josefina Alvarado-Mena, J.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Safe Passages
