Chaos and Cruelty Are the Point—Our Response Is Building Power and Taking Action
WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Tuesday, Gladis Molina, Executive Director for the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights released the following statement regarding the latest anti-immigrant policies, narratives and actions taken by the new administration:
“There is no denying that yesterday was brutal for immigrant families, communities, and allies. Within hours of taking office, President Donald Trump attacked birthright citizenship, shut down the Southern Border, suspended the right to seek asylum, dissolved the task force in charge of reunifying families who were torn apart during his first term, and signed additional Executive Orders that directly and indirectly impact the work we do with immigrant children and families.
These actions were immediately compounded by reports of planned ICE raids in fourteen cities as early as today. Together, this collection of extreme anti-immigrant policies will only exacerbate suffering and chaos at the southern border and across communities in the United States.
And that’s the thing. Suffering, chaos, and confusion is the point.
Our message to those who care about the rights and wellbeing of immigrant children is to remember one thing: we are each other’s best and first line of defense against extremism and hate.
How we choose to show up now for the immigrant community will not only mitigate the immediate harm but also lay the foundation for a long-term strategy to confront and dismantle these policies.
The Trump administration’s intent is clear: to harm and to overwhelm. But we also know this: when we focus on our collective power, we can respond with clarity, compassion, and resilience. The time to come together and organize in our communities is now.”
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The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is a non-profit organization that protects and advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children and advocates for an immigration system that treats children as children first.