Campaign Action
Hundreds of Americans across the nation have pledged, through a Freedom for Immigrants initiative, to host asylum seekers looking for sanctuary and new lives in the U.S. Some of the Americans taking action include Californians Ann and Kent Moriarty. “We are responding to this elevation of hatred and meanness that feels like it is allowed now in this administration,” Ann said. “It is unacceptable.”
Since the beginning of Trump’s presidency, stomping on asylum claims has been the administration’s official asylum policy. Under Trump, border agents have illegally turned away asylum seekers, asylum seekers have had their children kidnapped by officials, and victims of domestic and gang violence have had their claims rejected.
But it has also angered Americans, who now support immigration at an all-time high. Among them are the Moriartys. “In July,” The Los Angeles Times reports, “the couple got a call from an immigrant advocacy group about an asylum seeker who had spent seven months at an Irvine detention facility. The woman had just been granted a $15,000 bond and needed a place to stay. The Moriartys took in Veronica Aguilar, from El Salvador, and showed her around their Bay Area neighborhood.”
Aguilar fled her home country after being targeted by gang members, leaving behind everything, including her teen children. But in the time she’s lived with the Moriartys, she’s also begun to create a new life for herself. “They taught her how to navigate public transportation, where to get healthcare and how to sign up for English classes,” The Los Angeles Times continued.
But, Aguilar’s future is as uncertain as ever. “Judge Nathan Aina said she had failed to provide sufficient proof that she would likely be persecuted or tortured if returned to El Salvador,” and her asylum claim was denied. Aguilar is appealing the decision, and continues to hope for an outcome that will let her stay. “To me, they are family,” she said. “This feels like my home.” She deserves a chance to stay here, and so do many others. Read more about Freedom for Immigrants’ program here.