(Washington)— Since this year began the Trump administration has torn American families apart, sanctioned violent federal enforcement of our communities, put in place racist immigration bans, dismantled legal pathways for immigration relief, eliminated safety nets for vulnerable community members, expanded massive for-profit detention camps, and condemned anyone who has dared to disagree with them. This ugly, hateful, and racist policy agenda has disrupted the lives of millions of Americans, regardless of status.
The administration hoped these horrific policies would be accepted as normal by the rest of the world to take attention away from skyrocketing health insurance premiums and higher costs for food and other essential items. We at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) remain steadfast in fighting these racist policies and ensuring advocates and communities are prepared for the escalating tactics of immigration enforcement. We have educated immigrant communities about the administration’s attacks with up-to-date legal and policy analysis and resources. We have testified before elected officials demanding an end to collusion between local police and federal enforcement agents. We have been part of courthouse watch teams making sure immigrants showing up for scheduled court hearings were not alone as they faced possible arrest, detention and deportation. We have stood in solidarity with organizations who have been condemned by the administration for speaking out against their xenophobia.
We have seen communities nationwide—Chicago, Charlotte, NC, Washington, DC, San Antonio, Houston, Los Angeles to name a few—create effective rapid response networks to counter vicious attacks by federal enforcement agents, demand an end to 287(g) agreements, and speak out to protect their families, friends, neighbors and colleagues. Most Americans have shown they value humanity and inclusivity over contempt, intolerance and cruelty.
2025 will be remembered as the year the Trump administration tried to manufacture hysteria against immigrants as a smokescreen to put in place policies that enrich themselves and their wealthy backers. 2026 will be remembered as the year Americans demanded and won an end to these abhorrent policies. It is crucial that we not simply push back against the flagrant xenophobia being propagated but instead fiercely advocate for a better, more just framework for immigration; one guided by a commitment to dignity and justice.
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and @the_ILRC on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok. Also follow us on Bluesky @the-ilrc.bsky.social, and on Facebook.