Protect immigrants! Denounce the Great Replacement theory!

As we embark on a landmark week on immigration policy, I’m writing to ask all members of Congress to reflect on the humanity and real lives affected by policies at our southern border. Not doing so, as we have already seen, will have terrible consequences. Dehumanizing rhetoric directed at migrants puts a target on the backs of this vulnerable population. Early reports offer the troubling possibility that the tragedies in Allen and Brownsville in Texas will join El Paso, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Charlottesville as locations forever linked to hate-filled violence. Hateful conspiracy theories and dehumanizing rhetoric used to be limited to the fringes of the internet. Now, many elected officials and right wing media have helped to mainstream and platform these conspiracies - even after the many incidents of violence linked to dehumanizing hate. The DHS has issued repeated memos, including one in December of last year, about threats to migrants and border infrastructure. They warned in particular about the threats in the context of the end of Title 42. That means that this week could see more tragedies, unless Congressmembers speak out forcefully. There is an urgent need for those with the power and megaphones to immediately cease their dehumanizing rhetoric and vocally denounce racist and antisemitic conspiracies about an invasion and replacement. I expect you to do so. Thanks.