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TO: YWCA Leaders

FROM: Alejandra Y. Castillo, YWCA USA CEO

DATE: June 20, 2018

SUBJECT: Take Action: Families Belong Together

Dear YWCA leaders,

For the past six weeks, we have witnessed the continued displacement of families at the border, and we have seen the stories, photos, and reports of over 2000 children forcibly separated from their parents. This is a continuation of a heartless, mean-spirited policy that is not rooted in law but in xenophobia and fear. Though the President just signed an executive order regarding this cruel policy, we still have grave concerns. The alternative to family separation absolutely cannot be family incarceration.

While we recognize that our immigration laws must be reformed, the Trump Administration has opted to institute policies that are anti-immigrant and antithetical to our values. We are seeing children, some as young as only eight months old, ripped out of their parent's arms and placed in detention facilities that resemble cages. We are hearing of new detention centers being set up to detain babies and preschool-age toddlers.

This is unacceptable and it must stop.

For the past 160 years, YWCA has been at the forefront of some of the most pressing and important issues of our time, and what is happening right now at the U.S. border is no different. We cannot stay silent as politicians continue to build and enact policies that hurt women, families, and communities of color. With this in mind, I'd like to share with you a few basic talking points and update you on activities YWCA USA is undertaking to take a stand against the current situation.

In the coming days, YWCA will be participating in a number of actions across the country, to raise awareness and rally against this administration's inhumane policy of separating families, and to voice our support for immigrant youth, women, and families. There are ongoing, rapid developments regarding these issues, that may impact YWCA USA's plan of action. In the meantime, I invite you to join us in taking action:

Now through June 21 – Keep Calling Your Representatives to Oppose Two Anti-Immigration Bills

Tomorrow, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on two anti-immigration bills that would negatively impact families fleeing violence, people seeking asylum, and survivors of domestic violence-- and disproportionately impact people based on race, ethnicity, gender, and religion.

Call your Representative TODAY to urge them to speak out against policies that forcibly break up families and to VOTE "NO" on the Securing America's Future Act (H.R. 4760) and the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act (H.R. 6136). Take action now, and be sure to share the alert with your networks.

June 24 – #StopSeparation Rally in Tornillo, Texas

On Sunday, June 24, YWCA USA and YWCA El Pasto are partnering with Voto Latino, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, Green Latinos, Mi Familia Vota, and 14 other national organizations, closely coordinated with grassroots leaders, for a #StopSeparation rally in Tornillo, Texas, the location of the Trump administration's first tent city constructed to house immigrant children forcibly separated from their parents. Together, we will demand that the current administration stop this inhumane policy.

June 27 – Visit with Immigrant Youth and Stakeholders in McAllen, Texas

YWCA USA will be joining the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and other national organizations and stakeholders in McAllen, Texas, to meet with Sister Norma Pimentel and Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. We will speak with immigrant youth and stand in solidarity with children who are currently being detained at the detention facility in McAllen.

June 29 – Hill Briefing

YWCA USA will be co-sponsoring a congressional briefing in the House of Representatives on the issue of family separation. We will discuss our visit to McAllen, TX and will be joined by YWCA of El Paso to discuss the situation at the Tornillo, TX detention center.

June 30 – Families Belong Together

YWCA USA and many other organizations will be gathering at Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. (and at sites around the country) to protest this administration's inhumane policy of ripping children away from their parents at the border. Join us here in DC or at an event near you.

Letter to the Hill

Yesterday, YWCA USA delivered a letter to the House of Representatives, urging Members of Congress to vote no on H.R. 6136, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act, and H.R. 4760, the Securing America's Future Act.

Social Media: Raise Awareness and Call Out Members of Congress

Continue using social media to share information and shine a light on these issues, and to call on Members of Congress to take a stand against inhumane, anti-immigrant policies. Use our sample social media to get started.

Other Ways to Support

Looking for more ways to help fight family separation at the border? Here are a few great resources listing other ways you can take action:

• From Slate: Here's How You Can Help Fight Family Separation at the Border
• From Blavity: 7 Ways You Can Help Black And Brown Immigrants Being Terrorized By The Trump Administration
• From The Cut: What You Can Do Right Now to Help Immigrant Families Separated at the Border

I invite you all to join me and members of the YWCA USA team for a YWCA nationwide strategy call to resist family separation tomorrow, June 21st, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Tune in to get the latest updates, ask questions, and learn more about YWCA USA's strategy.

Sincerely,

Alejandra Y. Castillo