Fear and Hope

Fear
The intensity of the situation continues to weigh on our immigrant brothers and sisters. We’re hearing stories of kids afraid that they will come home from school to find their parents gone, parents afraid to send their kids to school, people afraid to go to the store to buy food, people not showing up to appointments with service providers – all because of the fear that has been generated by the administration’s executive orders and resulting policies.
Hope
While we can’t discount those fears, we can do something to help people. Since the beginning of February we have given eight Know Your Rights and Family Preparedness workshops covering 573 attendees in Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties. By helping people understand their rights under our constitution, we give them some power when they are confronted by ICE. This knowledge may also help to defend them if they are placed in removal proceedings. By helping them plan, we give them some control over what will happen with their kids and assets if they are detained or deported. We don’t enjoy doing these workshops but they are a necessary and important part of our advocacy.
As we do these workshops we’re meeting lots of people who want to help. Groups are starting up in Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason counties to support and advocate for their immigrant sisters and brothers. We’re inspired by the response of people who want to organize around immigrant advocacy. We’re meeting with these groups to help them organize and provide training and support.
We are also heartened that several groups are contacting their elected representatives to encourage them to state their support for diversity in our communities by passing Welcoming Community resolutions. It certainly seems like citizen participation is on the rise.
Five dedicated volunteers have just completed the comprehensive overview of immigration law and we expect to apply for their accreditation by the end of the month. This will greatly increase our ability to serve.
So, despite the attempts by some to drive us apart, I am seeing our community respond with energy, support and love. This is what will keep us together and get us through this challenge.
As always we need your support to continue this work. Please consider donating.