Time for Action: #EndFamilySeparation

Recently, we've discussed the Trump administration's new policy of separating families entering the U.S., either illegally or in search of asylum, and given a brief explanation of the rank barbarism of the policy for the ethically challenged.

Here, we make an effort to present solutions.

One obvious solution is to pledge to campaign and vote for Democrats in November. And while that is a necessary course of action, it is hardly sufficient. For one thing, the Democrats' record on immigration issues isn't all that great, so simply marking the line marked 'D' won't guarantee results. We need to push Democrats, both incumbents and challengers, to adopt pro-immigrant policies. For another, the election is still more than 5 months away, which means that a Democratic Congress is at least 7 months away, and even then they'll only be able to check Trump's abuses (hopefully) rather than enacting their own legislation.

Families are being torn apart NOW. We can't wait that long to act.

I'm certainly not the best resource for this kind of information, but here's my best shot:

1. Contact your legislators, whether they are Republicans, Democrats, or Zoroastrians. As noted above, not all Democrats are good on immigration policy; they need to be pushed. As for Republicans, their death-grip embrace of Trump is all poll-driven. If they receive enough constituent calls (especially from Republican constituents), they'll turn around. Plus given the current push to force a DACA vote in the House, we shouldn't assume that all Republicans are as bad on immigration as Trump.
2. Donate time, money, or both to groups fighting the administration's policy, or fighting for immigrants' rights. There are many such organizations, so choosing just one can be a bit overwhelming. The ACLU has a long and distinguished history of winning victories for civil rights of all kinds, and they're on the case here. The same is true of the Southern Poverty Law Center. For organizations specifically focused on immigration, I believe that the Informed Immigrant is a solid site, which hosts a search engine you can use to find local organizations where you can donate. (UPDATE: The following organizations have been recommended since this post originally went up: Innovation Law Lab, the CARA Pro Bono Project, the Florence Immigration and Refugee Rights Project, and the Texas Civil Rights Project.  My donation went to this last organization, because it is highly rated by Charity Navigator, and because a wonderful woman named Kendyl Hanks (@HanksKendyl) has promised to match donations made to TCRP if you DM her your confirmation.  Her offer may have expired by the time you read this).
3. Two other organizations which seem good --- but caveat emptor, I've spent literally minutes researching them --- are The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights and The National Immigrant Justice Center.
4. Democrats in my local congressional district have some other suggestions, as does politicalcharge.org.
5. MoveOn is organizing a national day of action on June 30.  Check for an event in your area.  If there isn't one, come back later to see if someone organized one --- or organize one yourself!

Finally --- this is a horrific situation, and there's no question Trump, Sessions, ICE and CBP all bear responsibility for it. But this isn't and shouldn't become a political cudgel. For one thing, Obama's hands are far from clean when it comes to immoral immigration policy. For another, this is a national disgrace which requires a unified, national response. And we can't work together to end the injustices of the immigration system --- all of them, whether it's Obama or Trump who's responsible --- if we insist on pointing fingers at each other.

This atrocity is the defining issue of our time. The way we respond as a nation will define America for the next generation.