As we reported earlier this week, in accordance with his campaign promise, Donald Trump has escalated apprehensions of immigrants to have the largest mass deportation effort in the history of the United States. In the wake of these new deportation policies, Chairman Kionne L. McGhee of District 9 and Commissioner Marleine Bastien came out with bold statements affirming their commitment to the immigrant communities that are woven into the fabric of South Florida.
In order for Trump to detain almost half a million community members in a blink of an eye, the Supreme Court had to strip legal protections away from thousands of people overnight. On May 20th, the Supreme Court allowed The Trump Administration to remove deportation protections for nearly 400,000 Venezualens, paving the way for Trump to attack the Biden Administration’s humanitarian parole program which allowed Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans to live and work in the United States on two-year visas with a required financial sponsor. Although lower level courts blocked Trump’s initial attempt at removing protections, on May 30th, the Supreme Court produced an emergency decision in Trump’s favor with a two-paragraph explanation.
Swift policy changes like this offer people stark options: face political and or economic turmoil in another country or face persecution here. Commissioner Marleine Bastien is a “life long advocate for immigrant rights” who is committed to remaining “steadfast in [her] advocacy and commitment to protect the rights and humanity of all immigrants.” In her press release regarding the mass deportations, Commissioner Bastien makes note that the removal of our community members is not only inhumane in the current moment, but devastating for our future as it “will cast a shadow of fear over countless children and destabilize households that have long been rooted in hope.” Similar sentiments can be found in the statement issued by Commissioner Kionne McGhee in which he emphasizes the impact that immigrants have had in South Florida including their “tremendous contributions to the economic growth and cultural richness of [the] county” from building businesses, revitalizing neighborhoods and enriching community bonds—“stripping away their protections not only tears families apart, but threatens the very values of compassion, opportunity, and unity that define us as a nation.”
It is imperative that we are not only aware of those bringing harm to our community, but we highlight those who are committed to the fight against tyranny and injustice. As I.C.E. raids continue, it is also important to know your rights and to arm yourself and others with knowledge.
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