Lift Louisiana stands completely with immigrant families regardless of their citizenship status. We emphatically condemn the racist, xenophobic and inhumane actions of the Trump Administration, particularly Jeff Sessions, Steven Miller and the Department of Homeland Security and immigration enforcement. The administration continues to demonize those who wish to enter our country in search of a better life. We know that families are stronger together, especially when facing an uncertain future and fleeing trauma and oppression. This policy ignores the conditions of violence that exist in many of the countries from where families are arriving and fails to acknowledge the United States’ culpability in creating instability in those countries. We join hundreds of organizations and thousands of U.S. citizens and residents in supporting families and condemning these actions. While the administration has put forward an executive order to address this policy, it remains unclear whether this is enough to halt the separation of families. We call on our elected officials to do the right thing: 

1. Immediately stop separating families;
2. Do all that is possible to reunite families already separated; and
3. Implement an immigration plan that does not use immigrant children and families as political ransom.

As a reproductive rights organization committed to doing our work through a reproductive justice lens, we understand that family separation, immigrant rights and  justice, and deconstructing the systems that unjustly house people in detention centers as well as jails and prisons are reproductive rights issues. We understand the trauma and terror of separation has real health consequences for families regardless of citizenship status. We understand that taking children away from their parents with no plan for when and how to reunite them is a violation of human rights. We must use our platform and voice to amplify this issue and highlight the many connections that exist. At Lift Louisiana, we also know that solidarity is an action word.

That is why Lift Louisiana will be joining the rally in New Orleans on June 30th to send a clear message to Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress: Families Belong Together!

We recognize that it is  easy to feel overwhelmed with sadness and powerlessness. This may be the first time you have seen or thought of immigration as related to reproductive health and rights.  Below is a list of some organizations that have been on the ground for years, fighting for immigrant families (because as horrible as the current situation is, people have been fighting for years before). If you are unable to donate money or time, please consider the ways that each of us with documentation (whether as U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, etc) can engage the people in our life-whether it be co-workers, families, friends- who don’t see or dismiss the severity of the situation. We stand with you,

Sincerely,

Lift Louisiana