On the land that we stand on, in 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue and from then on Native American tribes including my own, the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) tribe, suffered from colonization, murder, war, slavery, disease, and genocide. Once the colonists had exhausted the lives of my ancestors they moved on to exhausting more of my ancestors. African people who they stole and traded for hundreds of years resulting in another genocide. All while colonists began their fight for their American dream.
On the land that we stand on still, Tribes and Black communities have had to continuously fight for their rights and recognition within this country that was built on the backs of those who never reaped the benefits of their own work. Our “American Dream” comes with sorrow, blood and being stepped on.
Now on the land that we stand on, immigrants from every corner of the earth who have taken immeasurable risks to gain their “American dream” are being wrongfully punished and persecuted by law enforcement without proper following of policies of human and constitutional rights.
Currently on the land that we stand on and according to the U.S law and Department of justice, BEING UNDOCUMENTED IS NOT A CRIME. It is a civil offense. It is a fact and truthfully stated from the American Civil Liberties Union that, “Undocumented presence in the United States is only criminally punishable if it occurs after an individual was previously formally removed from the United States and then returned without permission.” This is clearly stated through 8 U.S. Code 1325 and 1326. While U.S. policies clearly state behavior and rules to properly follow to handle immigration situations, the current events and actions of “leaders” within this country show the opposite. In other words, human rights have continuously been violated and multiple human lives have been taken due to unjust treatment of human beings.
Our country is no stranger to mistreatment of individuals of color and those who are deemed different or “aliens.” We are no stranger to violations of human rights. On the land that we stand on, acts of senseless crime have been harming this country since before it even started. War and fights to get to the top of both social and economic hills have created immeasurable damage that cannot be erased. Time and time again, we the people have been fighting to fix these issues. Not alone. But together. For example, it is a crucial reminder for us to remember the multiple minority and migrant justice movements that have had success within the U.S. such as the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. At the forefront, Black communities fought for human rights, destruction of racial barriers and poor living conditions. Along their side and simultaneously fighting was the Latin x community fighting for the Chicano Movement and many other minority groups aiming to create change for the better. At the center of all these movements is the connection and allyship between different socioeconomic, culture and political groups thus leading to change in society which supports human rights.
Strength in numbers continues to be crucial to creating these changes even 60 years later. Even if we analyze the success of colonists in the creation of the U.S. in 1776, they utilized allyship to win the war against the British when they were once immigrants to the U.S.
Current protests within large and small communities which include both people of color, white citizens, noncitizens, poor, and rich, not only create imagery of connection but begin movements of social justice. On land that was stolen, it is no one’s right to prevent people from coming here and making their own American dream, just as colonists did hundreds of years ago.
Allyship has been crucial to the success of change. During these times of disconnect we need to have the urge for unity and connection to provide uplifting support to see real change within our broken societies. As we continue to watch this country fall from people in power who aim only to step on the backs of the working class, people of color and minorities, we must remember the times we have come together before to make change. We simply must do it again.
With the understanding of facts that the act of being in the U.S. without papers and authorization is not a crime; it is a violation of the immigration and naturalization act of the U.S. (8 U.S.C 1325 & 1326), we must uphold people to proper standards of U.S. constitutional and human rights and at the bare minimum treat people like people. While people of immigration status are not excluded from doing crime, the U.S. has dug themselves into a hole of mistreating immigrants and improperly handling cases through double punishment, deporting people to unsafe locations that are not of their origins, separating families, murder and other forms of injustices. Unjust treatment needs to be met with just consequences. While we aim to remind those in power of the proper policy and procedures to follow, may we follow each other with love, support and kindness.
Only the light can drive out the darkness so therefore we must not fight fire with fire. May we remember the times of unity between indigenous and Black communities to survive during the initial years of this country. Now on the land that we stand on it is crucial that we continue this alliance and expand it to protect our immigrant brothers and sisters who are wrongfully being targeted and punished by hatred. As our “leaders” aim to tear families and friends apart, we must fight to stay together. An unjust action towards one person is an unjust action towards all of society. Migrant justice is human justice.