Winds of change

With the Trump administration implementing immigration changes almost every other week, our journey has been a bit bumpy lately. Earlier last week we found out that the woman and children we were expecting to help were all being transferred to Dilley Detention Center. Our coordinators and supervising professor spent the better part of the next few days researching, discussing, planning, and conducting multiple conference calls with our partners RAICES to determine what the best solution was for our Karnes team. Officially, we are still on track with our original Karnes project, with RAICES estimating there will be an influx of 500 people by the time we arrive next week. Below are testimonials from the coordinators on their thoughts, feelings, expectations, and hopes regarding this change and upcoming trip.

Nathalia Lozano:

Currently Immigration is a hot topic, and it seems like every day it makes the front page news. Right when we think we are ready to go, there is a new development. Just this summer in the midst of our Karnes Project preparation, we have experienced the great consequences of the administrations zero tolerance immigration policy. Family separation, President Trump’s executive order regarding family detention, and US Attorney General Jeff Sessions decision that victims of domestic and gang violence will not longer qualify for asylum, just to mention a few. One thing that has remained the same is the team’s commitment and willingness to help. we are all excited to have been given this opportunity and each one of us shares the same goal that is to serve the voiceless, and make a difference in someone’s life. We will adapt to the changes, we will not let uncertainties discourage us, and we will continue fighting for justice.

Vanessa Baez: 

As a St. Thomas University student, I would like to represent the values and ethics we have learned throughout our legal training. My hope is to provide those who see this country as cold and hostile towards immigrants, a glimmer of hope that some are willing to lend a helping hand. I am of the belief that everyone has a fundamental right to keep their family together, and I know as students we will fight to have justice of that right recognized for immigrants. Every human deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. For many of us this is the beginning of a career long battle for justice in human rights. May we be love, and most importantly spread love through our work.

This post was originally published at "STU Karnes Project", a blog coordinated by Donna Nasimov. (https://stukarnes.wordpress.com)