On the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, much work still needs to be done to dismantle racist institutions that target Black people, including Black immigrants. Although former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd, anti-Black racism is still rampant in the criminal legal system. Unless there is deep systemic change, this vicious cycle of racism against Black people will be repeated.
As immigrant rights advocates, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) recognizes that our fights for justice are inextricably tied, not only because there are millions of Black immigrants who call this country home, but also because the different policing institutions in this country – from local police to border patrol to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – are branches of the same system, which is deeply rooted in anti-Black racism.
The ILRC works to underscore these connections and join the efforts of Black movement leaders and Black-led grassroots organizations across the country to find solutions that dismantle these racist institutions. We also will continue to demand that local, state and federal resources are directed toward our communities that ensure Black communities can live safely and thrive.
The ILRC is committed to implementing these commitments of solidarity through the work we do every day.