Standing in Solidarity with Immigrant Communities
By Neal
This week’s Supreme Court decision re-affirming birthright citizenship is a sigh of relief for millions across the country. However, the fact that the Court even heard this case in the first place—and the fact that only a narrow majority of judges supported birthright citizenship in this decision—reminds us that our fight for our rights is still ongoing.
The Trump administration’s attacks on the children of immigrants are a threat to all working people—regardless of our individual backgrounds or citizenship status. This is yet another attempt to divide our country, and to chip away the rights of all Americans by putting the target on our immigrant neighbors, co-workers, and fellow union members.
None of this is happening by accident. Within the same week that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of birthright citizenship, they also stripped millions of immigrants from Haiti and Syria of their Temporary Protective Status. This puts Haitian and Syrian immigrants across the country at sudden risk of deportation and unable to work. These ongoing attacks are not only meant to hurt immigrants—they are meant to weaken worker power by dividing and distracting us from the real threat of billionaire greed.
This attempt to strip us of our rights should have never gotten as far as the Supreme Court. But this union refuses to stay silent in the face of injustice. The people, not the courts, are the ultimate backstop against government abuse. We will continue to fight for American rights and values. That means working people should have as much of a say in our country as billionaires, that work pays enough to support American families and that everyone has the opportunity to succeed—no matter who you are or where you’re from. As we continue fighting for a better world, it’s up to us to care for each other. If you or your loved ones have been impacted by the TPS decision, please visit these resources for information and support
This week’s Supreme Court decision re-affirming birthright citizenship is a sigh of relief for millions across the country. However, the fact that the Court even heard this case in the first place—and the fact that only a narrow majority of judges supported birthright citizenship in this decision—reminds us that our fight for our rights is still ongoing.
In solidarity,
Greg Kelley
President, SEIUHCIIMK