We believe that the rights to access health care and have the ability to stay with your family are essential to living a happy and complete life. June is Immigrant Heritage Month, a time to celebrate immigrants in the United States. Part of honoring immigrant heritage in this country is fighting to protect immigrant rights, so that all people, regardless of immigration status, are able to live a life of dignity — no matter what.
Since day one, the Trump-Pence administration has been undermining the health and rights of immigrants and their families. Whether it’s the decision to rescind DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) or end TPS (Temporary Protected Status), which will rip millions of families apart, separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, rolling back prenatal protections and rights for parents involved in immigration proceedings including attempts to block people detained by ICE from their right to access abortion, or increased and harsh enforcement of detention and deportation, the hypocrisy of this administration’s so-called ‘family values’ is stunning.
Parents are fleeing violence and persecution, doing everything they can to protect their children. Immigration status is no reason to separate families.
The policy of separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border is more than just immoral and inhumane – it is a health crisis. As reported by Dylan Scott for Vox, “the health risks in the family separation crisis are multi-faceted. Children are being subjected to trauma that could affect them for years, there is sometimes physical consequences to separating parents from their young children, and the medical rights of the children being detained may also have been violated.”
We cannot sit by silently while this administration continues to strip immigrants of their basic health, rights, and freedoms.
Fight back NOW to protect immigrant communities.
- Donate: Many groups have already been doing the work to aid immigrant families and keep families together at the U.S.-Mexico border. If you are able, make a donation to RAICES to reunite immigrant parents with their children, one of these groups to help keep families together, or through ActBlue and your donation will be split among 10 groups they have identified who are doing critical work to support and protect these families.
- Call your senators: Make your voice heard. Call and let your senators know that you oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s heartless practice of tearing immigrant families apart at the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Show up and act: Follow the pages of local immigrant rights groups such as the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota to watch for events or actions and show up however you can. On June 30, 2018 in the Twin Cities, you can attend Families Belong Together – Minnesota March & Day of Action.
- Speak Out: Speak out against hatred and denounce cruelty and xenophobia publicly on all of your social media accounts and IRL. Wherever you are, show that you believe every single person is deserving of respect, dignity, and equal rights under the law—no matter what.
If you are an immigrant, we see you and we stand with you.
Planned Parenthood is committed to helping immigrants get the care they need — no matter what. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from. Everyone deserves access to quality health care. Planned Parenthood health center doors are open to you – no matter where you are from, what your immigration status is, or whether or not you have insurance.
The following information is guidance from Planned Parenthood to support patients and their families in being aware of their rights.
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