19 JUN 2023

Immigration Hub Statement in Honor of Juneteenth

WASHINGTON – Juneteenth marks the 1865 liberation of 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, who remained imprisoned by Confederate soldiers more than two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday is often referred to as the nation’s “second Independence Day,” or “Emancipation Day.”

For many Black Americans, Juneteenth is a day to celebrate family, friends, and community; at the same time, the day is a reminder for all Americans to reflect on the pervasive institutional inequities that disproportionately harm Black Americans–including the Black immigrant and refugee populations in the nation, which have grown 475% over the last 40 years. As stated by the NAACP, Leadership Conference, and other civil rights organizations: “Immigration is one of the key civil rights issues of our time.”

The Immigration Hub issued the following statement commemorating Juneteenth:

“On Juneteenth, we celebrate the resiliency of Black Americans and the Black community's relentless pursuit of freedom, equality, and justice. We acknowledge and thank the many Black advocates, activists, and leaders that have worked and sacrificed in this pursuit. Unfortunately, the legacy of slavery and racism continue to permeate our society and result in disparate outcomes for Black communities, serving as a powerful reminder that white supremacy has been entrenched in our nation from the very beginning and persists today in our public policies and institutions–even and especially in our immigration system.

“We know that our immigration system reflects the nation’s broader racial inequities. Black immigrants disproportionately face deportation, criminalization, punishment, and stigma–both by law enforcement and the general public–often leaving them on the chopping block of most viable policy solutions. 

“Powerful forces are trying to erase history by banning books and passing laws that restrict voting rights and target the most vulnerable. We are witnessing a disturbing rise in acts of racism and hate across the country and leaders of a major political party openly peddling in white supremacist ideology. In the face of this, we must be intentional about building momentum toward an actively anti-racist immigration system. One in which neither the color of your skin, nor your citizenship status or country of origin, have any bearing on your ability to seek a safe and dignified life. There is no one solution to achieve racial justice, rather it is an active and ongoing pursuit that must remain at the center of our advocacy work.

“At the Immigration Hub, we are focused on advancing an equitable and just policy agenda that not only includes Black immigrants and their families, but that actively centers their experiences and needs. Black immigrants are essential to the fabric of this nation and they should never have to stand alone. We all must stay committed to centering Black voices and basing our policy goals not on political will, but on the principles of liberty and justice for all. We urge Congress and the Biden administration to deliver on the priorities of Black advocates and communities, including ensuring humane immigration and asylum systems that allow Black and brown immigrants and refugees to seek protections without unjust barriers and fear of punitive measures.”

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.