Photos by Patricia Williams
January 28, 2023: “If we’re one of the strongest nations in the world, we should have the resources to receive people who are fleeing persecution… But for the last three decades, the U.S. has spent billions of dollars setting up a militarized southern border that focuses on detaining and punishing people“, said Vicki Gaubeca, Associate Director of U.S. Immigration and Border Policy at HRW. Vicki’s description of the history of racist, punitive policies along the U.S. southern border shocked STFers at the 2023 Winter Leadership Workshop.
Sharing tangible advocacy steps to address our inhumane immigration system, HRW’s U.S. Border Researcher Ari Sawyer explained: “We’re opposing all deterrence policies that are blocking asylum at the U.S. southern border. Having you take a petition to your representatives explaining what we want to change will be a big help.”
In breakout groups, attendees discussed human rights violated by U.S. border policies and identified ways to educate and engage their school communities in the Human Rights on the Southern Border campaign.
Visit STF’s Human Rights on the Southern Border Toolkit to get educated and find out how you can join the fight today!
