Statement from I Stand With Immigrants Initiative on Immigrant Heritage Month

Today, The I Stand With Immigrants Initiative issued the following statement on Immigrant Heritage Month and the movement to Defend Black Lives

“The I Stand With Immigrants Initiative celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month (IHM) in June by telling the stories of immigrants from across the world, whose lives have contributed to our country and communities. In this moment, we are utilizing our voices to stand with, and listen to, Black organizers – those with U.S. Citizenship, legal immigration status,  and those without – who are demanding justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others. Across this country, Black people are more likely to be stopped, searched, and killed by law enforcement, as well as arrested, jailed, convicted, and sentenced to prison or immigration detention. We stand with them in fighting for accountability from law enforcement and the criminal justice systems that have failed on so many fronts, and which consistently target rather than protect Black people. 

“IHM is already in motion, but we will be showing up more intentionally this month, and urging our partners to do the same, in support of the rallying cry, growing louder and more organized every day, that Black lives must be valued and protected. Because true equality, equity, and justice for all will not be achieved in America until we reckon with the ways the criminal justice system and immigration enforcement system has harmed Black people, Black families, and Black communities, and until we commit to advance the policies and investments that defend Black lives.” 

The I Stand with Immigrants Initiative is powered by FWD.us, whose statement on the killings of Black men and women across the country, and the movement to Defend Black Life can be found here. To follow Immigrant Heritage Month, follow the I Am An Immigrant Campaign on social media: IAAI Facebook, IAAI Instagram, IAAI Twitter.