Women's delegation travels to Georgia in support of national resistance to anti-immigration laws

Debates on immigration reform have penetrated political spaces heightening the concern on both sides about who has the right or privilege to live in this country and under what circumstances.  Xenophobic scrutiny under the pretext of economic security and employment have shifted the debate in some states concentrating on the unfair targeting of immigrants who are struggling to feed, clothe and support their families.  At the heart of this debate and those who suffer the most are women and children.


We’ve seen on multiple planes the ways in which dangerous and unfair conservative reasoning targets immigrant families on the margins and strategically leaves them out of the socio-political debate as if they are not experts in their own migration.  This was no more apparent than in Arizona’s controversial and costly anti-immigration SB10 law.

Earlier this year the Georgia legislature approved HB 87, a copycat anti-immigration law similar to that of Arizona’s SB 1070. Among other things, these laws state that immigrants must be “eligible” to work in the U.S and encourage police to use accusatory tactics to investigate the immigration status of certain people.

Today a delegation of women leaders from over two-dozen human rights organizations traveled to Georgia to support growing national resistance for the anti-immigrant laws. They will hear the real stories of women and children who are disproportionately affected by this discriminatory legislation and whose livelihoods are on the line.

These anti-immigration laws increase racial profiling with local police, separate parents from their U.S. born children, increase imprisonment and create economic burdens to the states among other things.

We stand in solidarity with the delegation and with all Strong Families, women and children. We must take quick and strategic action to prevent these destructive and discriminatory laws from sprouting in other states. Strong Families who have come to this country seeking a better life for themselves are having their human rights violated under the pretext of immigration reform.  Our women and children’s lives are at risk and we must stand up for justice so that all families can live and thrive.

Tomorrow morning, in front of the Georgia State Capitol, this delegation will host a press conference to talk openly about these discriminatory laws. If you’re in the Atlanta area, please find time to support the resistance against laws that are strategically harming women, children and families. Please also take the time to share this with your friends, family and community by clicking the share button below.