1. United States
2. Letter

The Trump administration's proposed policies on mass deportation and attacks on asylum threaten to tear apart immigrant families and communities across the United States. We must take action to protect the rights and human dignity of undocumented and under-documented individuals who contribute greatly to our society. Carrying out deportations on the unprecedented scale Trump envisions would require egregious violations of constitutional rights through racial profiling, unlawful arrests, and denial of due process. It is crucial that states and localities resist complicity in these efforts by denying the federal government access to resources for immigration enforcement, prohibiting collaboration agreements, and providing legal representation to defend against deportation. Additionally, attempts to destroy the asylum system by restricting access at the border directly contravene U.S. laws and human rights obligations. We must reject these inhumane proposals that would abandon vulnerable individuals fleeing violence and persecution. Congress should instead push for practical solutions like increased processing capacity, legal representation, and a path to citizenship for long-term residents. Protecting immigrant communities is not only a moral imperative but aligns with the values most Americans hold. We cannot allow the racism and xenophobia underlying Trump's agenda to redefine who we are as a nation. Officials at all levels must take a firm stand against policies designed to make life unbearable for undocumented individuals integral to our social fabric.