Outraged by the ICE raid in Mississippi? Here is something you can do to help the families impacted

Daily Kos Staff

Monday August 12, 2019 · 7:14 AM PDT

2019/08/12 · 07:14

Friends, coworkers and family watch as U.S. immigration officials raid the Koch Foods Inc., plant in Morton, Miss., Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. U.S. immigration officials raided several Mississippi food processing plants on Wednesday and signaled that the early-morning strikes were part of a large-scale operation targeting owners as well as employees. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) — Solidarity with Mississippi's immigrant communities.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, ICE agents stormed numerous food processing plants in Mississippi and detained close to 680 people. This is believed to be the largest single-state immigration enforcement operation in our country's history.

The raid happened on the first day of school. There was no warning and no plan for how to care for children whose parents had been arrested. Schools, welfare services, and neighbors scrambled to find support for the children. While some parents have been released pending their hearings, many families are still separated. In the days following the raid, hundreds of children did not attend school.

In response, we asked Daily Kos readers on our email list to chip in to five organizations mobilizing humanitarian support. And once again, our community showed up. As of this writing, we have raised $93,000!

Our goal is to raise $125,000 total. We're only $32,000 shy. If you can, please chip in whatever is meaningful to you to help these families rebuild their lives.

If you can't donate, please share this with your personal networks with a note about why this is important to you. We've found that personal asks have been very effective.

Wednesday, Aug 14, 2019 · 12:13:18 PM +00:00 · TealBomb

WE HIT THE GOAL! I am filled with gratitude for your generosity. Thanks for showing up.

Each of these groups has been working around the clock to support the families and children impacted:

El Pueblo Mississippi is organizing with the immigrant community and providing direct services.
MacArthur Justice Center and Mississippi Center for Justice are coordinating volunteer lawyers and the legal response on behalf of detained individuals and their children.
Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance (MIRA) and Southeast Immigrant Rights Network (SEIRN) are providing support services to the immigrant community and coordinating the crisis hotline.

In the hours following, it became clear that the raid targeted factories where immigrant workers have organized unions, fought back against discrimination and sexual harassment, or challenged unsafe and unsanitary conditions. Meanwhile, it looks as if the employers who exploited undocumented workers will face no consequences.

This was about terrorizing immigrants and stoking Donald Trump's racist base. It echoes the same tactics we have seen along the southern border—separating families and creating a humanitarian crisis. There are not enough adjectives to describe my rage.

The effects on families have been severe and are taxing the organizations that offer support. That's why we're asking you to financially support groups on the ground in Mississippi to help families find care and navigate the legal structure.

If you are not able to donate, please share this fundraiser with your personal networks, along with a note about why this is important to you.

This is only one part of the work we're doing in defense and support of immigrants and refugees. Just like you, we're furious and upset and refuse to be silent. You can join this work by signing up to receive Daily Kos email alerts.

Thank you for all you do. Keep fighting.

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