Ravi and Amy in Orient, NY in early October 2020. Credit: Loris Guzzetta
Dear Community,
As this challenging year draws to a close, we write to share a message of hope with you, our family and community.
The last time we wrote to you directly, we included our hope that we’d have a new president-elect. Well, here we are, a few months later, and in fact that hope has been achieved. We will have a new president, and some of the devastating stressors that we have all lived under for the last four years may be alleviated. At the same time, Ravi’s case is far from resolved, but we continue to hold out our hopes that with all of your support, the threat of deportation will be lifted and we’ll be able to live our lives at peace.
We also share a bit of good news: Ravi has a stay of deportation because of our First Amendment lawsuit against ICE retaliation, and his check-in that was scheduled for tomorrow, December 18, has been moved to May 13, 2021. We are grateful for this reprieve, and of course for all of your accompaniment in this very long process.
We know the fight is long over, and the harm to our communities runs deep. ICE has targeted, surveilled and retaliated against so many immigrant rights activists, instances of retaliation which are documented here. But through it all, we know that together we will win this and we will move toward justice and fairness for everyone.
Our very best wishes to each and every one of you.
NEW MAP EXPOSES OVER ONE THOUSAND INCIDENTS OF GOVERNMENT RETALIATION AND SURVEILLANCE AGAINST IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ACTIVISTS
In response to widespread efforts to silence immigrant communities, the NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic and New Sanctuary Coalition Launch #ProtectImmigrantVoices Campaign
For immediate release
November 1, 2020 — The New York University School of Law Immigrant Rights Clinic (IRC) and New Sanctuary Coalition (NSC) announce the launch of the Immigrant Rights Voices website and the #ProtectImmigrantVoices campaign. The Immigrant Rights Voices website features an interactive map documenting over a thousand instances of retaliation against immigrant rights defenders by numerous federal government agencies and highlights the personal accounts of immigrant rights leaders who have been arrested, jailed, surveilled, and deported for their activism. By abusing its immense power in an attempt to stamp out dissenting voices in immigrant communities, the government is flagrantly trampling on our First Amendment right to speak truth to power. In response, IRC and NSC, in collaboration with numerous organizations and individuals directly impacted by retaliation, have launched the #ProtectImmigrantVoicescampaign to highlight this widespread pattern of retaliation and demand an end to these practices.
Timed to launch on the eve of the election and coinciding with a feature in The Intercept, the #ProtectImmigrantVoices campaign makes the case for why it is more critical than ever to protect the rights of immigrants to speak freely and organize collectively. By exposing the government’s playbook of threats, retaliation, and intimidation, and highlighting the continued resistance and resilience of those targeted, we send a clear message: immigrant rights activists and immigrant communities will not be silenced.
.@ICEgov and others are engaged in a widespread campaign to silence immigrants. Arrests, deportations, raids, and surveillance—all part of a plan to deny activists their constitutional right to free speech. #ProtectImmigrantVoices immigrantrightsvoices.org
Over 1K instances of retaliation against immigrant rights activists. @DHSgov @ICEgov @CBP @theJusticeDept and other agencies chilling immigrant speech in our communities. Map at immigrantrightsvoices.org. #ProtectImmigrantVoices
Immigrant rights defenders have exposed an inhumane immigration system. @ICEgov @CBP @the JusticeDept and others have tried to silence them 1000+ times. Their voices have never been more important. immigrantrightsvoices.org #ProtectImmigrantVoices
Additional sample posts are available via our social media toolkit here. Graphics are available for download here.
Contacts:
Chiraayu Gosrani NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic Email P: 919-801-8569
Eleuthera Sa NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic Email P: 646-269-3011
En Español:
NUEVO MAPA EXPONE MÁS DE MIL INCIDENTES DE REPRESALIAS Y VIGILANCIA DEL GOBIERNO CONTRA ACTIVISTAS DE DERECHOS DE INMIGRANTES
En respuesta a los esfuerzos generalizados para silenciar a las comunidades de inmigrantes, la Clínica de Derechos de los Inmigrantes de la NYU y la Coalición Nuevo Santuario lanzan la campaña #ProtectImmigrantVoices
Para publicación inmediata –
1 de noviembre 2020 — La Clínica de Derechos de los Inmigrantes de la NYU (IRC) y la Coalición Nuevo Santuario (NSC) anuncian el lanzamiento del sitio web Immigrant Rights Voices y la campaña #ProtectImmigrantVoices. El sitio web Immigrant Rights Voices presenta un mapa interactivo que documenta más de mil casos de represalias contra los defensores de los derechos de los inmigrantes por parte de numerosas agencias del gobierno federal y destaca los relatos personales de los líderes de los derechos de los inmigrantes que han sido arrestados, encarcelados, vigilados y deportados por su activismo. Al abusar de su inmenso poder en un intento de silenciar las voces disidentes en las comunidades de inmigrantes, el gobierno está pisoteando flagrantemente nuestro derecho de la Primera Enmienda a decir la verdad al poder. En respuesta, IRC y NSC, en colaboración con numerosas organizaciones e individuos directamente afectados por represalias, lanzaron la campaña #ProtectImmigrantVoices para resaltar este patrón generalizado de represalias y exigir el fin de estas prácticas.
Programada para ser lanzada en vísperas de las elecciones y coincidiendo con un artículo de The Intercept, la campaña #ProtectImmigrantVoices explica por qué es más crítico que nunca proteger los derechos de los inmigrantes a hablar libremente y organizarse colectivamente. Al exponer cómo el gobierno hace amenazas, represalias e intimidación, y al resaltar la resistencia continua y la capacidad de recuperación, enviamos un mensaje claro: los activistas de derechos de los inmigrantes y las comunidades de inmigrantes no serán silenciados.
Hashtag de la campaña: #ProtectImmigrantVoices // #ProtegeVocesInmigrantes
Tweets de muestra
.@ICEgov y otros están involucrados en una campaña para silenciar a los inmigrantes. Arrestos, deportaciones, redadas y vigilancia: todo es parte de un plan para negar a los activistas sus derechos constitucionales. #ProtectImmigrantVoices immigrantrightsvoices.org
Más de mil casos de represalias contra activistas por los derechos de los inmigrantes. @DHSgov @ICEgov @CBP @theJusticeDept y otras agencias enfrían el discurso de los inmigrantes en nuestras comunidades. Mapa: immigrantrightsvoices.org. #ProtectImmigrantVoices
Los defensores de los derechos de los inmigrantes han expuesto un sistema de inmigración inhumano. @ICEgov @CBP @TheJusticeDept y otros han tratado de silenciarlos más de 1000 veces. Sus voces nunca han sido más importantes. Immigrantrightsvoices.org #ProtectImmigrantVoices
Publicaciones de muestra adicionales están disponibles a través de nuestro kit de herramientas de redes sociales aquí. Los gráficos están disponibles para descargar aquí.
Contactos:
Chiraayu Gosrani NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic Email P: 919-801-8569
Eleuthera Sa NYU Immigrant Rights Clinic Email P: 646-269-3011
New York, NY — In response to the targeting of immigrant rights activists by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, numerous faith leaders, religious institutions, elected officials, civic organizations, and legal scholars have filed legal briefs with a federal appeals court in Ragbir v. Homan to condemn the government’s violation of the First Amendment.
These amicus curiae (“friend of court”) briefs support plaintiffs Ravi Ragbir, the New Sanctuary Coalition, CASA, Detention Watch Network, the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and the New York Immigration Coalition.
The lawsuit before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction restraining the government from taking further action to effectuate a deportation order against Mr. Ragbir, the Executive Director of the New Sanctuary Coalition and an outspoken advocate for immigrants’ and human rights.
There remains a case pending before the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York, which also seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction restraining the government from selectively enforcing immigration laws against individuals based on protected political speech.
Oral argument in the case has been set in the Second Circuit, located at 40 Foley Square, for October 29, 2018. Plaintiffs encourage members of the community to attend. For more information and updates, please visit istandwithravi.org.
Ravi had been scheduled to report to ICE on September 7th. His report date has been postponed until October 12th at 10:00 a.m. Please mark this date on your calendars.
In the meantime, we are continuing to fight against ICE’s cruel and unjust practices. In the lawsuit challenging ICE’s retaliation against Ravi and other activists, Ravi and several immigrant rights organizations filed their opening brief to the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit arguing why the federal court should restrain ICE from retaliatory enforcement against Ravi for engaging in political speech critical to American democracy.
We anticipate that a hearing in this case will be scheduled in the near future, and will update you accordingly.
While we continue our fight in the courts, we know that it is the power of community support that will keep Ravi here and shed light on the injustice of ICE’s efforts to detain and deport people in darkness.
We urge you to stay vigilant, and will be in touch shortly with upcoming actions to support Ravi and others.
In the meantime, please also save the date for the New Sanctuary Gala, to be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018. Get your tickets here.
On Thursday, May 3, faith communities and immigrant rights advocates in cities across the country, including Boulder, Milwaukee, New York and Savannah, will take part in the first annual National Jericho Walk*, a silent, peaceful, interfaith prayerful walk held in communities to show solidarity with immigrants facing deportation and detention. The walk draws inspiration from the Battle of Jericho, in which the community marched around the city of Jericho seven times, causing its walls to fall.
The National Jericho Walk, organized by New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City, is part of an effort to show solidarity with immigrants rights leaders who have been targeted for speaking out against the injustices and inhumanity of our broken immigration system and who call for an immigration law and policy that respect the dignity of all immigrants.
The peaceful walk and prayer vigils held in support of a federal lawsuit brought by renowned immigrant rights leader Ravi Ragbir and several immigrant rights organizations that challenges the government’s effort to silence those voices calling out the injustices of the immigration system. The plaintiffs in Ragbir v. Homan seek, among other things, a court order restraining the government from selectively enforcing immigration laws against individuals based on protected political speech.
WHEN: 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 3
WHERE: New York Immigration Court, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York
WHAT: National Jericho Walk, a silent, interfaith prayerful vigil and walk around the New York Immigration Court.
The Rev. Kaji Douša is Senior Minister of Park Avenue Christian Church offered the following at the “Justice for Ravi” rally at Rutgers Law School:
Once upon a time, I was neutral on immigration.
Quite frankly, I hid behind “the law” to excuse my inaction.
My friend Ravi Ragbir, taught me – and, leading the Sanctuary movement, all of New York City – to rethink my position on “the law”.
After all, as Ravi gently reminded me and so many others, THE LAW – as originally conceived in these lands – wanted me to understand myself to be a fraction of a human.
On Thursday, May 3, faith communities and immigrant rights advocates in cities across the country, including Boulder, Milwaukee, New York and Savannah, will take part in the first annual National Jericho Walk*, a silent, peaceful, interfaith prayerful walk held in communities to show solidarity with immigrants facing deportation and detention. The walk draws inspiration from the Battle of Jericho, in which the community marched around the city of Jericho seven times, causing its walls to fall.
The Rev. Kaji Douša is Senior Minister of Park Avenue Christian Church offered the following at the 
Support Ravi Ragbir 