DC Mayor Vincent Gray signed last week an Executive Order prohibiting local law enforcement authorities from questioning people they encounter about their immigration status. This Order is a good step in responding to the misguided efforts of states like Alabama and Arizona that seek to have their authorities become immigration officers, a duty that has always been carried out by the federal government.
Requiring local officers to enforce immigration law has led to a dramatic erosion of the community-policing law enforcement model, which encourages police to build trust with members of the community. Developing trust is even more important for police when they work with immigrants, who often come to the United States fleeing persecution from authorities and thus arrive with a great fear of them. Laws such as Arizona's SB 1070 only increase fear and crime, as these deter immigrants from calling police. When crimes go unreported, criminals are able to roam with impunity because they know that their deeds will go unpunished and as a result, communities become less safe.
At Ayuda, we see the fears immigrants must overcome to report a crime. We see cases like Teresa's, an immigrant from El Salvador who suffered for 10 years from severe beatings and verbal abuse at the hands of her spouse. When Teresa came to our office, she confessed to being physically abused for many years by her husband, telling our team that he constantly threatened to report her to immigration authorities if she ever denounced him. It was not until he stabbed and nearly killed her that police got involved. However, fear ensured that Teresa would not even be the person who called the police; it was a neighbor who did. After surviving, Ayuda's staff helped Teresa secure a Civil Protection Order and assisted her as she cooperated in the criminal investigation against her abuser. Together, we were able to hold Teresa's abuser accountable. Because of this, Teresa now has the opportunity to lead a violence-free life.
Ayuda's committed and excellent legal and social service staff meets people like Teresa on a daily basis. We hear their cries for help and safety and their fears of authority. Ayuda helps Teresa and others like her by holding their perpetrators accountable and aiding them in securing safe places to live, medical care for their injuries, food, clothing, legal custody for their children and attain legal status in the US. We believe that all persons in our country, regardless of immigration status, deserve justice and protection from harm.
Your investment in Ayuda today could be the difference between life or death for those that suffer from abuse and desperately need an advocate that will stand with them as they seek justice, peace and safety. Your support will ensure that together, we can stand with them and build truly secure communities.
With much thanks and gratefulness,
Jaime Farrant
Executive Director
P.S. I will be speaking this coming Wednesday in a panel about current immigration issues at the Dialogue on Diversity 2011 Colloquium, which will take place from 11:00 am-4 pm at the US Capitol Visitors Center, Congressional Meeting Room North (CVC 268). This event is free and open to the public. If you are interested in attending this important discussion, register at www.dialogueondiversity.org. I look forward to seeing you there!
Source: Auda
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