#DefendDACA

September 5, 2017

The AVP Action Brief tracks actions of the Trump administration that impact our communities’ safety and rights and offers concrete steps that we can take to stand up for safety and justice.

We are here for you and we are in this together.

 #DefendDACA

 Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration will rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), arguing that it was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the executive branch of the previous administration. In 2012, after Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act, President Obama initiated DACA through an executive order, allowing some young undocumented immigrants brought over when they were children to apply for a two-year commitment of “deferred action” on deportations from the federal government. Since that time, DACA has protected 800,000 young adult undocumented immigrants from deportation and has allowed them to work legally. Most DACA recipients have spent the vast majority of their lives in the US, and this is the only home that they have known.

This heartless move by the Trump administration puts already vulnerable people – including at least 36,000 LGBT DACA recipients nationwide – at risk of deportation, losing their jobs, and violence. During the “wind down period” announced today, we ask that our supporters pressure Congress to act and to take to the streets to show your support for defending DACA. About 30,000 of at-risk DACA recipients live here in New York City. Should you need legal advice or assistance, AVP’s Legal team is here to help. If you are concerned or frightened or just need to talk, you can call our 24 hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline to talk with a counselor. We are here for you and we are here for one another.

Here’s what you can do.

Immigration resources

  • Trans and gender nonconforming DACA recipients can contact the Transgender Law Center’s Trans Immigrant Defense Effort to explore other forms of immigration relief.
  • Immigration Equality has a DACA FAQ for folks who might be affected.
  • You can also reach out to AVP’s Legal team through our hotline 212-714-1141 for assistance.

 

#DefendDACA activism and advocacy

 

Join AVP in working to end all forms of violence

  • Report violence you experience or witness to AVP and Communities Against Hate.
  • If you know someone who is an LGBTQ survivor of violence who is experiencing trauma or fear as a result of these recent actions, encourage them to contact AVP’s confidential 24-hour English/Spanish hotline at (212) 714-1141. They will be connected with a counselor who understands the ways this political climate is affecting our communities.
  • Get involved—volunteer with AVP!
  • Support AVP: Give now to ensure our voices are heard.
  • Forward this email to a friend. Ask them to sign up for the AVP Action Brief to stay informed and activated, too.

 

Further reading:

The Guardian – Trump ends ‘Dreamers’ program, leaving fate of 800,000 uncertain
Autostraddle – LGBT Immigrants Brace Themselves for DACA’s Devastating End
Vox – 9 facts that explain DACA, the immigration program Trump is threatening to end
National Immigration Law Center – Top 5 Things to Know About the Announcement That DACA Is Being Ended