Soon after taking office in 2016, Trump and his administration began a range of assaults on immigrants, both documented and not, and their rights to live and work without fear and to seek political asylum. Almost immediately, members of Hand in Hand’s network began sharing stories of fear and confusion. There was our own fear and anger, but even more pressing was the fear and disruption this caused for nannies, home attendants, or house cleaners with whom we had relationships.  

We began having conversations between workers and employers, and between our community organizers and immigrant communities’ organizers, to support each other in taking action. 

As immigrants continue to be targeted by this administration well into 2019, below we are re-sharing some of the resources we have developed and ways to get involved.

In your home:

How to have the conversation: tips for talking to a worker in your home in these times. We know that conversations with someone who works in your home can be awkward at the best of times, let alone during this time of heightened political uncertainty. You are not alone and these tips are for you! The safety and wellbeing of our employees and care providers might depend on it. 

What Can I do? An Employer Checklist. In this moment when domestic workers and their communities are being targeted for their race, religion, gender identity, immigration or refugee status, and/or ability, you can play an important role in making the person you employ feel welcome, respected, and as safe as possible in your home. If you are not a care consumer or domestic employer, you can still use this checklist to identify ways you can offer support to friends and neighbors.

Talking to Your Kids About Family Separation, a blog by Hand in Hand’s Network Director Stacy Kono. You can find additional resources for kids in our Playdate Protest Action Guide.

A list of other resources including Know your Rights, Family Preparedness Plans, and a Reading List. 

Outside of your home:

#ClosetheCamps Playdate Protests. Hand in Hand members continue to take action to #CloseTheCamps. We are outraged by the horrific stories coming out of detentions centers at the border and throughout the country where children and families are being held in deplorable conditions, are facing abuse at the hands of law enforcement, and where their rights are continually violated. We will keep taking action until the camps are closed! Join a day of action near you with other groups, or plan your own using Hand in Hand’s toolkit #ClosetheCamps PlaydateProtest Action Guide.

Sign on to support the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Add your name alongside Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Sen. Kamala Harris, and help us pass the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights!

This Opportunities to Support Asylum-Seekers list is frequently updated and includes places to volunteer and donate. Consider splitting a donation between a group for people directly impacted by immigration policies, like one of the organizations below, and Hand in Hand. 

  • Al Otro Lado is a binational organization that works to offer legal services to deportees and migrants in Tijuana, Mexico, including deportee parents whose children remain in the U.S.
  • The Florence Project is an Arizona project offering free legal services to men, women, and unaccompanied children in immigration custody.
  • Kids in Need of Defense works to ensure that kids do not appear in immigration court without representation, and to lobby for policies that advocate for children’s legal interests.

It can feel immobilizing to hear the stories of children and families in detention and to witness the continued attacks on immigrants. The best antidote we have found is to take collective action. Join us in taking action in your home and on the streets as we work together to end the horrific policies at the border once and for all.