NATIONAL (September 5th, 2017) -- Today the Trump administration announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which for over five years has protected nearly 800,000 immigrant youth (DREAMers) and supported them to pursue their potential, and contribute fully to their families, communities, and nation.
Navina Khanna, Director of the HEAL Food Alliance issued the following statement:
“The HEAL Food Alliance stands with the 800,000 young immigrants affected by the rescinding of DACA, and with their families. These young people were brought to the United States as children, and grew up here. They are our classmates, co-workers, caretakers, friends, family, neighbors, and change makers. Their courage and organizing prowess has inspired us, and we are all better for their presence.
Five years ago the U.S. government promised protection to these young people, saying that they could safely call this country home. This message was continuously reinforced by the Trump administration over the past eight months. Today’s announcement makes it clear that the President personally lied to the DREAMers by telling them they had no reason to fear deportation -- and separation from parents, spouses, family, and friends -- to countries many of them do not know. By terminating DACA today, the reckless Trump administration has once again chosen to put politics above humanity, and hate above reason, compassion, and community. The rescission of DACA is nothing less than petty white supremacy in action. We join the 76% of voters who support the DREAMers in doing everything in our power to resist this morally bankrupt act.
Young immigrants are helping to shape the future of our nation. They are part of the backbone of our food systems, our technological innovations, our arts, and our culture. We call on Congress to permanently protect these youth, their families, and our communities of color. Now is the time to prove that we are stronger than the racism and inhumane policies that have come to define this White House. Reinstating DACA is only the beginning of the change we can make together.”
Statements from HEAL Food Alliance Members and Allies
CATA – The Farmworkers Support Committee: CATA's Response to the Termination of DACA
Emerson Collective: DACA’s Demise Betrays the Best of America
Food Chain Workers Alliance: Stand with Immigrant Youth & All Immigrants!
Land Stewardship Project: Ending Protections for Dreamers Weakens All of Us
Northwest Arkansas Workers' Justice Center: Our Statement in Solidarity with DACAmented Immigrants.
Real Food Challenge: Director Anim Steel Arrested Alongside Movimiento Cosecha
The Union of Concerned Scientists: Withdrawal of DACA Protections an Unacceptable Broken Promise to Young People
What you can do right now
DACA exists because young people organized all over the country. DREAMers took direct action for change, and showed us what it looks like to organize with courage and boldness. It is time for all of us to stand together with that same courage and boldness, and tell Congress that immigrant youth are here to stay. There is a six month window for congress to take action - find a local action right now and/or call on your congressmember and urge them to use their power to protect DREAMers from deportation.
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About the HEAL Food Alliance
HEAL is a multi-sector, multi-racial coalition building collective power to transform our food and farm systems. We are led by our member-organizations, and strive to amplify the experience and expertise of frontline communities who are most burdened by the disparities of our current systems. Together, we are developing solutions to drive change.
Press Contact
Neshani Jani, Communications Director
+1 (510) 974-3771
Neshani@healfoodalliance.org
Navina Khanna, Director of the HEAL Food Alliance issued the following statement:
“The HEAL Food Alliance stands with the 800,000 young immigrants affected by the rescinding of DACA, and with their families. These young people were brought to the United States as children, and grew up here. They are our classmates, co-workers, caretakers, friends, family, neighbors, and change makers. Their courage and organizing prowess has inspired us, and we are all better for their presence.
Five years ago the U.S. government promised protection to these young people, saying that they could safely call this country home. This message was continuously reinforced by the Trump administration over the past eight months. Today’s announcement makes it clear that the President personally lied to the DREAMers by telling them they had no reason to fear deportation -- and separation from parents, spouses, family, and friends -- to countries many of them do not know. By terminating DACA today, the reckless Trump administration has once again chosen to put politics above humanity, and hate above reason, compassion, and community. The rescission of DACA is nothing less than petty white supremacy in action. We join the 76% of voters who support the DREAMers in doing everything in our power to resist this morally bankrupt act.
Young immigrants are helping to shape the future of our nation. They are part of the backbone of our food systems, our technological innovations, our arts, and our culture. We call on Congress to permanently protect these youth, their families, and our communities of color. Now is the time to prove that we are stronger than the racism and inhumane policies that have come to define this White House. Reinstating DACA is only the beginning of the change we can make together.”
Statements from HEAL Food Alliance Members and Allies
CATA – The Farmworkers Support Committee: CATA's Response to the Termination of DACA
Emerson Collective: DACA’s Demise Betrays the Best of America
Food Chain Workers Alliance: Stand with Immigrant Youth & All Immigrants!
Land Stewardship Project: Ending Protections for Dreamers Weakens All of Us
Northwest Arkansas Workers' Justice Center: Our Statement in Solidarity with DACAmented Immigrants.
Real Food Challenge: Director Anim Steel Arrested Alongside Movimiento Cosecha
The Union of Concerned Scientists: Withdrawal of DACA Protections an Unacceptable Broken Promise to Young People
What you can do right now
DACA exists because young people organized all over the country. DREAMers took direct action for change, and showed us what it looks like to organize with courage and boldness. It is time for all of us to stand together with that same courage and boldness, and tell Congress that immigrant youth are here to stay. There is a six month window for congress to take action - find a local action right now and/or call on your congressmember and urge them to use their power to protect DREAMers from deportation.
###
About the HEAL Food Alliance
HEAL is a multi-sector, multi-racial coalition building collective power to transform our food and farm systems. We are led by our member-organizations, and strive to amplify the experience and expertise of frontline communities who are most burdened by the disparities of our current systems. Together, we are developing solutions to drive change.
Press Contact
Neshani Jani, Communications Director
+1 (510) 974-3771
Neshani@healfoodalliance.org