If a society can be judged on how it treats the vulnerable, the Trump administration’s aggressive targeting of immigrants threatens the moral character of our country. As I write, ICE agents flood the streets of Minneapolis following the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good on Jan. 7. In Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles and across the country, ordinary citizens are finding diverse ways to stand up for humane treatment of immigrants and against ICE overreach.
If you are reading this, you probably find the administration’s actions against immigrants to be arbitrary and cruel. Many of us descend from immigrants, and we know that most immigrants are hardworking people who cherish this country, as well as its opportunities to work hard and support family and community. Torah admonishes us (36 times!) to love the immigrant as the Holy One does.
Insisting on the dignity of the stranger
Rabbi Shai Held points out that this is not merely a call for us to feel a feeling; it is a challenge to embrace a stance that insists on the dignity of the stranger who resides with us. That stance requires us not only to see the dignity of the stranger, but also to act on what we see (Held, Judaism Is About Love (2024) pp. 43-44, 181-183). How can we live up to the injunction to love the immigrant? Broadly speaking, we can take actions within the categories of advocacy and direct service. The possibilities outlined here are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to inspire you to find ways that you can emulate the Holy One by loving the immigrant.
Advocate alongside local activists
ICE uses ruthless tactics to make immigrants and their allies afraid. The consequences of advocating for immigrants can be unpredictable. Autocrats use fear to smother democracy. As Jews, we know that when ordinary people kowtow to authoritarians, the vulnerable pay the price. That said, people have different risk tolerances, determined by their life circumstances and vulnerabilities. In our synagogue’s immigrant justice work, we respect people’s need to make their own decisions about risk, and we strive to find opportunities for action that fit different risk tolerances. Activism can take many forms, and every contribution matters. We have learned that doing our activism in community raises our collective voice beyond the sum of individual actions. We often say that we inspire each other to take greater action.
‘ICE Watch’
A good step in developing your advocacy is to find activist organizations near you. In Philadelphia, we have a broad ecosystem of grassroots organizations focused on humane treatment of immigrants. Consider joining an “ICE Watch” near you. ICE watch organizations join together to monitor neighborhoods for ICE activity, and then record ICE actions and warn immigrants. ICE watch organizations tend to be informal and often use the secure messaging app “Signal” to communicate and self-organize.
Doing our activism in community raises our collective voice beyond the sum of individual actions. We inspire each other to take greater action.
Know-your-rights training
Immigration advocacy organizations routinely offer “know-your-rights” training that equips you to educate immigrants about their rights. It will also benefit you to understand your own rights in case you encounter law enforcement.
Accompaniment
ICE watch and other local immigration groups often also provide opportunities for “accompaniment.” Since it is understood that immigrants face reduced risk when they are accompanied by a U.S. citizen, you can travel and sit with immigrants as they head to potentially risky venues such as court. Accompaniment can also be a good opportunity to connect with and support an immigrant.
Vigils and protests
Joining vigils and protests can make a public case for welcoming the immigrant. In Philadelphia, our protests range from prayerful interfaith vigils to civil disobedience designed to limit the movement of ICE vehicles. Understand what type of protest you are attending before you head out, know your rights and ensure that the event aligns with your desired risk profile. I have become a regular at an interfaith prayer vigil at Philadelphia’s ICE headquarters, and many folks from our synagogue attend as well. I often carry a hand-written sign that says, “You shall love the immigrant (Deuteronomy 10:19).” Feel free to make your own sign. People often honk in agreement as they drive by.
Use of media can also counter the dehumanization of immigrants. Writing letters to the editor or opinion pieces for your local newspaper gets the word out that immigrants are our valued neighbors. Polls show that increasing numbers of Americans are concerned about ICE overreach, and your letter or article can reinforce that concern.
HIAS is one of the organizations that provides updates on immigration legislation and makes it easy to reach out to federal officials.
Lobbying U.S. Congress
Even in the current Congress, there are opportunities to fight for legislation that treats immigrants humanely and respectfully. HIAS is one of the organizations that provides updates on immigration legislation and makes it easy to reach out to federal officials. Local officials can be in a difficult situation, even if they are inclined to welcome immigrants, since they may be reluctant to be caught in the crosshairs of the administration. Thank officials when they support humane policies and respectfully let them know when they fail to take a principled stand.
Connect locally to provide direct service
Local immigration organizations can be good leads for volunteer opportunities and donations. Local organizations often are looking for legal assistance, translation, transportation and food shopping for those afraid to leave their homes. Our synagogue works with our local HIAS to identify household items and children’s gifts that we can collect. Don’t overlook smaller immigrant-led groups as well. In South Philadelphia, for example, JUNTOS serves and is staffed by our local Latine community. Let local organizations know of any special skills you have, such as legal or language skills. Donating to local groups can also be a great way to have an impact and to reinforce the resiliency of community organizations. Donating and volunteering can build relationships that help fight the isolation and despondency that authoritarian regimes count on for their own success.
Alone, none of us can stop ICE’s overreach. Together, we can build a community rooted in love, inclusion and welcome. Each act of kindness and advocacy brings us closer to a more humane world.
