Asylum-seekers, refugees and immigrants are being detained and held under horrific and cruel conditions right here in New Mexico. These are families who are seeking a safer life for their children. First-hand reports from those on the ground working to help these families are disturbing. Twenty-five people have died in the custody of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), children and pregnant women sleep on hard concrete floors, the facilities are kept at extremely cold temperatures, infants don’t have access to basic necessities like diapers and are often kept from their mothers. The holding cells are overcrowded while food, water, medical care and access to basic hygiene are withheld. These conditions are deplorable and unacceptable.
The staff at Conservation Voters New Mexico and our family of organizations is outraged by the events taking place on our border. This is happening here, in our state, and greatly impacts our neighbors and friends. We cannot stand by idly or silently.
We can combat this deep inhumanity if we stand together. We must feel the outrage and anger — and we must respond with compassion, be informed and engaged to know where our efforts can be impactful and helpful.
Many New Mexico-based groups are organizing and taking direct action to help immigrant and refugee families, and we implore you to support their efforts.*
Share resources published by Somos Un Pueblo Unido detailing immigrant rights, what to do during an ICE raid, and how to report civil rights violations.
Sign United We Dream’s petition calling on Congress to defund ICE and CBP and shut down concentration camps.
Join the #HereToStay Network and find out how you can take action to support immigrants in your community.
Participate in the July 12th Vigil to End Human Detention Camps outside the Albuquerque US Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices. This event will feature an indigenous blessing by RAICES and speakers from the Santa Fe Dreamers Project.
Volunteer with New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC), which works to make legal services affordable and accessible to New Mexico’s immigrant community. NMILC is currently looking for volunteers to assist with administration, data entry and reception duties.
Volunteer with the Asylum Seeker Assistant Project, a project of the City of Albuquerque.
Volunteer with Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains in Albuquerque by providing cultural mentoring, office services and tutoring.
Call your members of Congress at 202-224-3121 and demand that they both stop the Trump administration’s human rights abuses at the border and co-sponsor pieces of legislation that aid refugees and asylum seekers.
Report raids and arrests to local hotlines, such as United We Dream’s MigraWatch by calling their hotline at 1-844-363-1423.
Sponsor a Trans Asylum Seeker via the Santa Fe Dreamers Project.
Employ a refugee through Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountain’s employment services.
Shop the Asylum Seeker Assistant Project’s Amazon Wishlist to make a direct contribution.
Donate to:
- Somos Un Pueblo Unido, New Mexico’s statewide immigrant’s rights organization.
- The Jewish Asylum Initiative, a joint project with Congregation Albet and Nahalat Shalom to provide assistance to asylum seekers (be sure to write “Asylum Seekers” in the additional information section).
- United We Dream, a nonprofit organization working to protect immigrants, defend against deportations, provide immigrants with access to education, and protect LBGTQ immigrants.
- ACLU of New Mexico Foundation, which focuses on issues impacting New Mexico, including immigrant rights.
- Colores United – Deming Refugee Shelter, a community shelter serving asylum seekers in Deming, NM.
- Aguilas del Desierto Inc., an organization that has been rescuing and searching for missing migrants since 2012.
- The National Bail Fund Network, where your donation will directly reunite immigrants who have been separated from their families. Bail can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $80,500.
- Companions on the Journey, an Albuquerque based project supporting asylum seekers by providing a place to stay for the night, food clothing, cell phone access, travel assistance, and hygiene items.
We know that climate change is a key driver of immigration. Families and communities are suffering from the consequences of climate change, which has forced them to leave their homes in search of safe refuge. The humanitarian and civil rights crisis at our border is yet another reason why the United States needs to take immediate action to combat climate change. Nations like the U.S that release exorbitant amounts of carbon and methane pollution into the air – and contribute the most to climate change – have a responsibility to address the impacts on the rest of the world.
*We know that there are many organizations that are organizing to support these families. If you know of additional resources, please share them with us at info@cvnm.org and we will add to the list.
