FEDERAL ADVOCACY ALERT: Support and Defend Immigrant Children and Youth

September 06, 2017

From the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence

September 5, 2017

Dear Colleagues,

Today, the Trump Administration announced its decision to end the legal immigration status of nearly 800,000 young people who have benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program over the past five years. We are alarmed by the significant detrimental impact this will have on individuals, families and communities across the country.

Without congressional action to enact a legislative replacement for DACA, young people who were brought to this country as children over ten years ago, and who have studied, lived, worked in, and contributed to our nation will be forced to live their lives in constant fear that they will be deported at any moment and separated from their families and communities.

We are sending a letter (linked here) to Members of Congress to explain that ending the DACA program would be especially devastating for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Now, more than ever, we need your help! It is long past time for Congress to protect and defend DACA recipients living, working, and raising families in the United States. Urge Congress: to support the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017 (H.R. 3440 and S. 1615); to defend the 800,000 DACA recipients; and to enact policies that strengthen families and communities. Call your two Senators and your Representative and ask them to get to work on this important issue and pass the Dream Act of 2017 now!  

TAKE ACTION! 

1. Find your Member of Congress here and ask them to protect and defend DACA recipients and pass the bipartisan DREAM Act of 2017 (H.R. 3440 and S. 1615).  
2. http://www.tweetcongress.org/tweeters. 
3. Use this letter (linked above) as a template and draft op-eds for your local newspaper highlighting the connection between DACA protections and the needs of domestic and sexual violence survivors and lift up your voice to defend DACA. 
4. Post your statement on social media. Use these sample posts with the hashtag #DefendDACA

• DREAMers are students, teachers, first responders, veterans & more. They are integral to our communities. #DefendDACA #HeretoStay 

• DACA has helped nearly 800,000 young people pursue higher ed., earn better wages, support their families. #DefendDACA 

• DACA & other immigration relief helps protect survivors from deportation & helps survivors feel safe enough to report abuse. #DefendDACA

• [.@MemberofCongress] It is long past time for Congress to protect and defend DACA recipients living, working, and raising families in the United States. #DefendDACA