ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE WHITE NATIONALIST-INSPIRED MASSACRE, REPLACEMENT THEORY HAS ONLY GONE MORE MAINSTREAM
This week marked two years since a racist gunman motivated by white nationalist and antisemitic “replacement” and “invasion” conspiracy theories gunned down ten Black Americans in Buffalo. Their names were Ruth Whitfield, Roberta Drury, Aaron Salter, Heyward Patterson, Pearl Young, Geraldine Talley, Katherine “Kat” Massey, Celestine Chaney, Margus Morrison, and Andre Mackneil. Despite the horrific loss of cherished neighbors, this white nationalist conspiracy theory has been fully embraced by the Republican Party, including by officials at the highest levels. The GOP’s adoption of this conspiratorial rhetoric is detailed in a new AV report, which notes lawmakers employing this language hundreds of times in this current session of Congress alone. This isn’t just a slap in the face to loved ones still mourning in Buffalo; it’s also actively risking yet another deadly attack on our communities. “As we mark two years since the racist massacre in Buffalo, the tragedy didn’t spell the end of the mainstreaming of dangerous white nationalist replacement theory that inspired the attack. Unfortunately, the reverse is true,” said AV Senior Research Director Zachary Mueller. “As we remember our ten fellow Americans who died in Buffalo two years ago, the message machine that is spreading these white nationalist lies is at full volume and amplifies the risk that another well-armed constituent will take these fears seriously and act upon them.” Read more here.
REPUBLICANS AND THE NON-EXISTENT PROBLEM OF NON-CITIZEN VOTING
In her weekly column, America’s Voice consultant Maribel Hastings begins with a basic fact: alleged widespread voting by non-citizens is a virtually non-existent issue. “Those who do face severe penalties including fines, prison (or both), inadmissibility, and even deportation.” Yet Republicans led by Donald Trump have seized on the bogus claim that non-citizens are voting in federal elections to lay the groundwork to question the results of the presidential election in case they lose to Joe Biden on November 5th, Hastings writes. “That is particularly ironic because in 2020, those who wanted to steal the election were Trump and his entourage, even leading a bloody assault on the federal Capitol on January 6, 2021, to impede the certification of Biden’s legitimate win. As the saying goes, a thief thinks everyone steals, and the same Republicans who wanted to steal the 2020 election are now accusing non-citizens of voting in a fraudulent manner.” Hastings notes that Republicans are also employing white nationalist rhetoric and claiming that Democrats are using so-called “open borders” to replace white Americans. “It is the Republican normalization of white supremacy,” Hastings concludes. “And non-citizens are, once again, their favorite scapegoat.” Her column was also published in several outlets, including La Opinión, Radio Bilingüe, and La Tribuna Hispana. Read her column in English here and in Spanish here.
RELIEF FOR LONG-SETTLED IMMIGRANTS BENEFITS U.S. CITIZEN KIDS TOO
Should the Biden administration use its authority under law to expand work permits and deportation protections to a larger number of long-settled immigrants, this relief will improve the lives of nearly 1.3 million U.S. citizen children, who could see greater financial security, new educational opportunities, and improved physical and mental well-being, FWD.us said in recent research. Marco, a Salvadoran Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holder, said his protections allowed him to purchase a home and support his four children, all American citizens. One of his children now works as a specialized mechanic for Southwest Airlines and credits his dad’s protections for the family’s success. “The biggest thing I’ve had in my life is that I have a wonderful family that has given me financial stability,” the 22-year-old said in the report. “I was able to go to school, and because of their TPS, I knew that my parents were safe and would be there to pick me up from school when I was little. This was a huge thing growing up.” Expanding TPS would also be a massive boon to local and national economies. Hundreds of thousands of TPS-eligible individuals are already working in industries facing key labor shortages, FWD.us said in earlier research. Most importantly, relief would help keep families together. It makes economic sense, and it’s also the right thing to do. Read more here.
FOR 1,400 KIDS, THE NIGHTMARE OF FAMILY SEPARATION CONTINUES
This month marks four years since the Trump administration publicly announced that it would be its official policy to tear babies and children from the arms of asylum-seeking parents. But for many families, this nightmare continues. Despite the Biden administration’s continued reunification efforts, 1,400 kids remain separated due to the Trump administration’s cruelty and callousness. Click here to hear and share their stories and recommit to continue fighting for justice for these families.
ESSENTIAL WORKERS SHOULDN’T HAVE TO DIE TO HAVE THEIR WORK RECOGNIZED
Eight Florida farmworkers were killed following a catastrophic collision near Dunnellon this week. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the deceased was among 53 farmworkers who were off to start the day’s work at a family-owned peanut and watermelon farm when their bus was struck by a truck that had suddenly crossed into the center line, causing it to crash into a fence and tree before rolling over. Six of the deceased have been identified. Their names were Evarado Ventura Hernández, Cristian Salazar Villeda, Alfredo Tovar Sánchez, Isaías Miranda Pascal, José Heriberto Fraga Acosta, and Manuel Pérez Ríos. The crash harkens to the March catastrophe that took the lives of another group of Latino workers when a freighter lost power and pummeled into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six immigrant laborers who were easing commutes for all drivers by repairing potholes. Their deaths reminded all of us of the critical roles that millions of immigrants play across the nation. But they shouldn’t have to die to have their work recognized. Their essential work should be respected every day. That includes coming to their side during difficult times. The Farmworker Association of Florida has organized a GoFundMe to aid survivors and families. “Farmworkers tend to be forgotten, but it’s important not to forget farmworkers, especially during such difficult times,” the organization said. Click here to donate and read more about the critical labor of essential immigrant workers.
DEPORTATION FLIGHTS TO HAITI MUST STOP NOW
On Thursday, just days ahead of Haiti Flag Day and during Haiti Heritage Month, the Biden administration deported over 100 Haitians back to dangerous conditions. Haiti is currently facing a severe humanitarian, political, and security crisis. Medical care, food, water, and other essential resources are in short supply throughout the country due to insecurity and violence, mainly caused by gang conflicts. In a press conference on May 8th, Guerline Jozef, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, said, “It’s urgent for President Biden to re-designate and extend TPS for Haiti … Additionally, the Biden administration must immediately cease the deportation of Haitian nationals. Sending people to a country plagued by insecurity and humanitarian crises is unconscionable.” In response to the administration’s second deportation flight to Haiti this week, America’s Voice Executive Director Vanessa Cárdenas said, “Sending Haitians back amidst political turmoil and increased gang attacks will worsen human suffering. We support the calls from community members and organizations like the Haitian Bridge Alliance and others in urging President Biden to provide protections for Haitian families and immediately stop cruel deportation.” Read more here.
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