Fighting for Justice in a Carceral State: US Detention and Increased Violence against Immigrants

The US detention and deportation systems have criminalized immigrants for decades under the leadership of several administrations. With renewed energy under this administration, we now see frightening developments such as worsening conditions in detention and prison facilities, the terrifying and inhumane use of cargo planes to deport people to countries that are not their country of origin, and the transfer of migrants to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, a facility with a history of abuse and torture of detainees. The emboldened and rapid pace of these racist actions, paired with keeping updated about which proposals will actually become concrete, has made the already difficult work of organizing for immigration justice even more urgent and overwhelming. 

Philanthropy must continue to support organizations building power with immigrant communities and community defense strategies boldly. With coordination and collective action, we can flank the movement in the fight to support undocumented people and families with mixed immigration status materially, on the ground against a violent and inscrutable detention and deportation machine that continues to profit at the expense of people’s lives. 

Join us to learn more about the realities of the US detention system, what we know about ongoing developments, and how philanthropy can show up in solidarity and take action.

Speakers:

• Darakshan Raja (she/her), Executive Director, Muslims for Just Futures 
• Stacy Suh (they/them), Program Director, Detention Watch Network
• Rumba Yambú (They/Them | Elles/Ellx), Executive Director, Intransitive