The morning after the inauguration of America’s first black president, men, women, and children from around the country will assemble in DC and march to the offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in protest. These justice activists, immigrants and supporters, will hold a Day of Action for Immigrant Rights , seeking to shed light on the agency’s years of repressive policies. The event will be led by a collection of faith leaders, who will host a forum featuring testimonies about the ICE raids and civil liberties violations that have devastated communities.
It seems fitting that the Day of Action will be juxtaposed so closely with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 22nd of January. In many ways, the planned immigrant-rights actions are reminiscent of the many pro-choice and reproductive justice rallies that I’ve supported in the past. I’ve marched on The Hill, rallied on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court and attended speak-outs that remind the audience of the ongoing oppression against women and affirm us with stories of resistance and empowerment.
As a reproductive justice advocate and self-identified feminist, it's difficult for me to separate the fight for women's rights and the struggle for immigrant justice. Fear and stigma force many immigrants and their citizen family members to live in the shadows of our communities - an oppression that mirrors the experience of women who needed underground abortions before Roe v. Wade. Before Roe, these courageous women overcame significant financial and logistical barriers. They traveled long distances and "voluntarily" subjected themselves to often unsafe procedures. Many died in their wish for a better life.
We see the same parallels in the lives of immigrants and refugees who migrated here to live and work. Many endured harsh and even life-threatening travels. Some paid exorbitant visa application fees while others became burdened with travel debts that will take nearly a lifetime to pay off. Once here, many immigrants work under dangerous conditions for employers who engage in coercive tactics. These employers use fear to exploit immigrant workers, keeping them in constant worry for their lives and the lives of their families. Like the women who sought (and for various reasons, continue to seek) underground abortions, many immigrants and refugees, both documented and undocumented, risk their lives in hope for freedom and a better future.
If we strive to advance feminist values and human rights, we also must honor the rights and dignity of immigrants and refugees. If you're in the D.C. area, you can march and attend the Day of Action for Immigrant Rights on January 21st. You can also learn about promoting immigrant and refugee justice through a gender lens from the National Coalition for Immigrant Women's Rights, led by the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum , National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and National Organization for Women .
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Awesome. Wish I lived close enough, or I would be there!