Providence, Central Falls sue Jeff Sessions and Justice Department
The cities of Providence and Central Falls—and in a separate suit, the state of Rhode Island—are taking the Department of Justice and US Attorney General Jeff Sessions to court over its manipulation of federal grant funds to support the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration agenda. The grant in dispute is the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice […]
Cicilline describes life inside, and politics behind, tender age detention centers
“It’s horrific,” said Congressman David Cicilline. “It’s barbaric.” The Rhode Island Democrat was describing what he saw after visiting immigration detention centers on the Texas/Mexico border this weekend where President Donald Trump’s family separation policy is playing out as a moral and political crisis before America’s and the world’s eyes. “It is horrifying to see […]
Reed, Whitehouse counter forced separation of undocumented families
Sen. Jack Reed and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse renounced the Trump administration’s separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border during a meeting of immigration advocates, community leaders, and pediatricians at Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island on Monday. Both senators have announced their support for the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by California Senator Dianne […]
Henrietta White-Holder, Linda Finn Receive Red Bandana Awards
The Red Bandana Fund is pleased to announce two local advocates, Henrietta White-Holder and Linda Finn, as the 2018 recipients of the Red Bandana Award! The Award, the sixth annual, honors individuals and groups whose work embodies the spirit and work of Richard Walton, a longtime Rhode Island activist who died in 2012. The awards […]
South Kingstown passes Immigrant Protection Ordinance
Rebuking the Trump Administration’s increase in immigration enforcement, the South Kingstown Town Council passed last night what it calls the Immigrant Protection Ordinance. The new law, approved on a 3 to 2 vote, prevents local police officers from enforcing federal immigration rules, unless so ordered by a federal judge. “My family,” Council Vice President Abel Collins […]
How should immigration allies respond to the end of DACA?
I am not an immigrant, but like almost all of us in this country today, I am descended from immigrants. My ancestors are from Eastern Europe. Some came here fleeing pogroms and conscription into the Czar’s army, while others merely came here for better economic opportunity. I am Jewish, but like the majority of Jews […]
How immigrants affect Rhode Island’s economy
Do you want to deport the 26,666 undocumented workers living in Rhode Island? Hope you’ve got a plan to cover the $17.9 million state and local tax vacuum it would create, in addition to another $25 million in federal taxes. The New American Economy, an immigration advocacy group started by Michael Bloomberg, released state and […]
On March 25, let’s rally for love instead of Trump
We need some organizing for a peace rally. A counter to their rally, which they have every right to hold. We also have a right to say that we do not support or agree with our president’s new policies and the turn backwards this country has taken in the past 30 odd days.
Indivisible RI asks Raimondo to clarify her commitment to undocumented RIers
Governor Gina Raimondo has been clear, said Gabe Amo, her director of public engagement. She will protect every Rhode Islander, including the undocumented, and fight the Trump Administration if it tries to withhold federal funds for doing so, Amo said. But at least 25 people representing Indivisible Rhode Island disagree. They say Raimondo had one […]
With Trump’s travel ban in limbo, 13 refugees are on their way to Rhode Island
Refugees from Iraq, Syria and Somalia should be arriving in Rhode Island between today and next Friday, thanks to a Seattle judge’s stay on President Donald Trump’s immigration executive order. Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island spokeswoman Jessica Barry said a total of 13 “people who had been previously approved to arrive for resettlement, but […]
Reed, Whitehouse praise judiciary, Seattle judge for halting Trump travel ban
A single judge in Seattle can prevent even the President of the United States from violating the Constitution. That’s what happened this weekend when federal District Court Judge James Robart put a stay on the so-called “travel ban” executive order on Friday. The decision won Robart and the judiciary praise from Rhode Island senators Jack […]
Trump immigration EO kept a Syrian, Somali refugees from Rhode Island today
A family fleeing war-torn Somalia was expected to arrive in Rhode Island today. A young man from Syria was supposed to come last week, but a one week change in travel plans has made all the difference. Dorcas International, the organization that resettles refugees in Rhode Island, had apartments rented and ready to go for […]
Kilmartin and 16 other AGs rebuke Trump’s immigration executive order
Attorney General Peter Kilmartin is one of 17 from across the country to already officially rebuke President Donald Trump for his executive order concerning immigrants and refugees from Middle Eastern countries. “Religious liberty has always been, and always will be, a bedrock principle of our country and no president can change that truth,” says a […]
GOP Mayor Fung chides Trump’s immigration executive order
Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, a Republican, opposes President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting immigrants and refugees from Middle Eastern countries, saying it was poorly vetted and contains concerning “unintended consequences.” “I do support a fair and thorough vetting process for immigrants to get to America legally,” Fung said in a statement. “But, I am concerned […]
SCOTUS precedent limits Trump from stripping sanctuaries of federal funds
There’s a legitimate fear that Rhode Island could lose federal funding if President Donald Trump decides to take this draconian action in his broad battle against immigrants and illegal immigration. After all, the New York Times considers Rhode Island to be a sort of sanctuary state and Mayor Jorge Elorza has pledged to govern like […]
The deportation force in our own backyard
In a press release, Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson stated that the Sheriff’s Office will work to “protect the safety of our citizens and legal residents.” In reality, the 287(g) partnership entails a diversion of resources from law enforcement, litigation, and fear in immigrant communities.
URI students plan walkout and gathering for Tuesday at 11am
University of Rhode Island (URI) students have planned a mass walkout and gathering at the campus Quad for Tuesday, November 15th at 11am. Organizers state that “…this is not a protest, but an expression of solidarity with marginalized voices on campus and in the community at large. We have extended the invitation to join us […]
Immigrants and allies march for licenses this weekend
The Coalition for Safer Rhodes is organizing a march that aims to send a clear message to the General Assembly — that they must act to ensure that our roads and communities are safe by ensuring that all immigrants, regardless of their immigration status, are able to earn a driver’s license. In order to send […]
Fact-checking Trump’s return to nativism
Donald Trump gave his long-awaited address on immigration in Phoenix, Arizona shortly after his surprise meeting with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico on August 31. Earlier in the week, Trump had signaled a policy change on immigration, with Trump initially softening his tone on deportations – only to return to his nativist self a few […]
Safer Rhodes Coalition visits Mattiello’s parish advocating for driver’s licenses
Undocumented labor, faith and the student community called on parishioners of the parish and Speaker Mattiello to recognize the need for limited licenses for the undocumented community, and the need for the General Assembly to pass H7610.
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