Kids Forward stands with immigrant communities. As an antiracist organization, we remain committed to our mission to advocate for every child and family. We condemn all forms of violence against children and families, including the forceful separation of families. This is not about politics, but about honoring human dignity and respect. Amanda Martinez, Senior Policy Analyst at Kids Forward, shares her perspective.

I am a proud daughter of immigrant parents that carries their strength, resilience, and sacrifices. This is personal because my parents left their home country of Mexico and left behind their families in pursuit of a better life. A dream that transformed me into the person I am today and the reason I am an advocate for immigrant rights. 

Over the past couple months we have watched the Trump administration abuse their power through executive orders and unjust actions targeting immigrant families. ICE raids across the country are kidnapping immigrants and ripping apart families without due process. As a result, thousands of people in Los Angeles filled the streets to resist the actions of this administration. Across Wisconsin, advocates are organizing Know Your Right trainings, providing legal support, assisting with basic needs, and informing immigrants about updates to federal immigration policy.

Racist practices and policies continue to infiltrate our government and systems. Due to racial profiling and anti-immigrant hate that our own government officials have pushed against immigrants, ICE raids are directly targeting Black, Indigenous, and Latine communities. 

It has been horrifying watching the actions of the Trump administration fueled by anti-immigrant hate. It is a shame to witness immigrant children and families get persecuted and deported (for decades) throughout the country and in our own state of Wisconsin. 

Unless you are Indigenous to the United States, we are all a product of migration. This includes recognizing the forced migration of enslaved Africans and refugees forced to flee violence and persecution worldwide. 

We owe it to our parents, our families, our ancestors, and our communities to keep fighting for the world they envisioned. Here are a few ways you can advocate for immigrant communities: 

• If you are a community organization, now more than ever is the time to stay committed to your mission of serving children and families by standing in solidarity with immigrant communities. 
• If you are an educator, you can propose for your school district to become a “safe zone.” The National Education Association has developed a sample resolution and district policy that can be used as a template or guidance for local school districts to create their own Safe Zones resolutions.  
• If you are a community leader, use your influence to advocate in the spaces you hold power.
• If you are a state decision maker, you can fight to block anti-immigration legislation, including recently introduced legislation that would force law enforcement to cooperate with federal deportation efforts, and show your support for pro-immigrant policies at the state level.