The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services—more commonly known as RAICES—has announced that it will donate $3 million toward assisting newly reunified migrant families as part of the “Flights for Families” campaign.
While in many cases officials have been transporting children they kidnapped to wherever their detained parents may be for reunification, they do nothing for them after, leaving some stranded from other relatives or locations where they can pursue their claims to stay. That’s where “Flight for Families” has stepped in.
“We are not going to let anyone be left behind,” RAICES said, tweeting that the effort includes a “travel help desk” to assist with flights, temporary housing, and other logistical planning, all free of charge.
The group has been flooded with donations from concerned and outraged Americans throughout the child separation crisis, eventually totaling into the millions. As of Wednesday, other fundraising for the “Flights for Families” campaign has already totaled over $250,000.
“This is a really incredible example of what we can do when we come together,” said Jess Morales Rocketto, a leader from the campaign. “And we’ve seen that over and over again since this horrific crisis began.” In Texas, the San Antonio Express-News reported, “Catholic Charities has been covering the costs if immigrants or their sponsors can’t afford the flights.”
Of course, it’s the administration, not RAICES or any other group or citizen, that should be covering every cent, because it’s the administration that caused this crisis, and a crisis that is nowhere close to over. Judge Dana Sabraw’s deadline to reunite approximately 2,500 kids over age five is tomorrow, July 26, and the administration has admitted that nearly 500 parents may have already been deported. If that’s the case, they must be brought back.
“Today we pull together to reunite families and we continue to demand an end to family detention,” said RAICES leader Jonathan Ryan. “Families belong together and free.” If you’d like to donate to the “Flights for Families” campaign, more information is located here.
