After two years of secrecy and government coercion in the implementation of the mass deportation program known as "Secure Communities," two counties on opposite coasts, Santa Clara, California and Arlington, Virginia, passed unanimous resolutions to get themselves out of the program.
They joined a growing trend of locales started by Washington, DC and San Francisco who asked to opt-out. They set an example for states like Colorado who are reconsidering their participation.
More and more places are stating clearly that Arizona-policies have no place in our towns. And this is just the beginning of the exodus.
There are over twenty local campaigns across the country that are building local power to turn the tide and demand an end to police/ice collaboration, criminalization, and family separation.
Congratulations to Santa Clara, California and Arlington, Virginia's local coalitions including the leadership of Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network, Tenants and Workers United, Virginia Justice Center, and Rights Working Group among others.
By uncovering the truth a few weeks ago, our coalition forced ICE to admit that municipalities do indeed have the option to refuse to participate in the program, something that the government had previously lied about and hid. For the first time, in a desperate attempt at spin-control also known as a memo, ICE outlined a public process on how to opt out. Since then, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has confirmed an opt out process. Now communities across the country who were coerced into participating are organizing to make opting out a reality.
Yesterday more than 500 groups from the immigrant rights, criminal justice, and labor movements sent a letter to Obama highlighting the already-existing racial disparity in criminal justice made far worse by targeting migrant communities and demanding an end to police/ice collaborations.
This week, we see the fruit of a growing movement to turn the tide, to end 287g and secure communities, to end police/ice collaborations, and to affirm our full human dignity, keep our families together, and assert our human rights in Arizona and across the country.
Santa Clara and Arlington have set a ball in motion, could your town be next?
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