5 Ways Young People Can Protect Immigrants Right Now
Tips From a 23-Year-Old Activist
By Sadie Hernandez
Immigration has always been part of my life. As a Mexican-American born and raised on the South Texas US-Mexican border, my entire community has been a culturally rich area with people of all citizenship statuses. Growing up along the border, citizenship was a topic of discussion, but was more casual than the recent fearful impression surrounding it today. Communities are about people, not the hierarchy of citizenship statuses imposed by wealthy racists in power. Immigrants are people, and the increased dehumanization has done nothing but prompt fear and terror into the lives of a marvelous, welcoming, and hardworking community.
In recent years, the border has become increasingly militarized. The violent, uncontrollable, and powerful border patrol, ICE, and law enforcement agencies have terrorized our community under the guise of American exceptionalism and “safety.” Mind you, immigrant communities are safer than communities where a majority of residents are citizens. Now, these rogue agencies have expanded their reach to target any and all immigrant heavy communities — not just major cities and border towns.
As citizens in solidarity with immigrants, it it more critical now than ever to use our privilege to stand up for the immigrant rights. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, but the good news is there are lots of ways to make an impact for immigrants in your community. Here are five things you can do right now.
1) Sign up for Grab the Mic
I’m serving as the March MC for DoSomething.org’s Grab the Mic campaign, a year-long campaign to create most civically engaged generation ever. March’s cause issue is immigration, so you can join thousands of young people who are fighting for immigrants online, in their communities, and at the polls.
Hate speech is increasing across the country, from public spaces to schools and to the internet — bringing harm and fear with it. Through Grab the Mic, you can tackle hate speech and show solidarity, by posting a sign that says, “My family comes from ________” and including a powerful caption about why your support immigrants.
Plus, each photo shared will unlock a Kiva loan, sponsored by Pearson, with funds for an immigrant entrepreneur based in the US.
2) Do your research
The immigration system is very complex and chaotic. Brush up on the jagged path and requirements people have to navigate to apply for various types of citizenship. You don’t need to be a legal expert to realize that it’s not as easy as the anti-immigrant “just apply” rhetoric. When I learned more, I realized that even I, as a citizen, wouldn’t be able to meet some of these requirements if I tried. More importantly, learn the stories of immigrants. Learning their experiences first hand will give you a very important and necessary insight into. If you’re really into policy, you can also take a deep dive into the international politics fueling some of the immigration push. It will also help you unlearn stereotypes, like how not all immigrants are Latinx.
3) Realize your privilege
Once you’ve brushed up on the immigration situation at hand, you should realize your place in the movement. As citizens, your privilege includes being able to speak to law enforcement with less fear, having the right to vote, easier travel, and a long list of small everyday things we take for granted. First and foremost, as allies we must respect the lived experiences and opinions of immigrants. Immigrants are leading this movement, and it’s up to people with citizenship privilege to navigate this movement respectfully.
Second, don’t take up space. If someone is telling their story and you make a scene over it, you’re unknowingly shifting the attention to yourself and away from the issue at hand. You should be actively working to center immigrant stories and power. If immigrants want an immigrant-only space, respect it. Nobody was born “woke,” so you may have to have hard conversations and realize you may have been doing some disrespectful things, but that’s growth.
4) Put yourself on the line
The rhetoric around the immigration debate takes some time to unlearn, but isn’t hard or impossible. One example is to respectfully correct people when they use the word “illegal.” It can also look like debunking immigration myths, like “taking our jobs.” Even on the pro-immigration side there are issues that are holding us back. This could mean reminding people that the value of an immigrant isn’t contingent upon them doing work and jobs Americans feel are beneath them.
If you want to go above and beyond for immigrants, volunteer for an organization! Non-profits, like United We Dream and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health have thorough trainings to get you prepared for various activities that are suitable for everyone. If you’re a people person, you can go out in the community and talk to people about the issue. If you’re an introvert you can help with data entry. Don’t have time but want to support? Donate!
If you’re ready to put your body on the line for protests like sit-ins, go for it. If none of the available activities are for you, reach out to the organizations you want to support and see if you can do something you love for the cause. Some things my friends have done are put together a drag show fundraiser, concert fundraisers, donating art, and pulling together their friends for an in-house training. Don’t limit yourself! There are many ways to help in ways that are accessible to most.
5) Register to VOTE
Immigration reform has been a decades long battle fueled by political apathy and anti-immigrant extremists. This needs to end, and it can with our generation. We just need to exercise our power, and one of the privileges of citizenship is the right to vote. So if you’re eligible, do it!
Sadie Hernandez is a 23-year-old from Brownsville, Texas. Sadie is a vocal advocate of immigrant and refugee rights in addition to reproductive health access and rights for all people. You can find her on all platforms as @sadieeehdz.
Grab the Mic is DoSomething’s groundbreaking year-long campaign to create the most civically engaged generation ever. Each month, we’ll focus on a different pressing issue young people care about and show you how to amplify your voice and drive change a) online, b) in your community, and c) at all levels of government. March’s focus is immigration and April will tackle gun violence.
