The 100 days interim DHS memo announcement on January 20, 2021 comes after years or tireless work of the undocumented community. It comes after countless undocumented people sharing their experiences to make the case for no more deportations. The memo as it stands will ensure a review of past prosecutorial discretion memos and provides interim guidelines that place under priority for enforcement individuals who are labeled as terrorists, recent arrivals, and folks who are being released from prison and have an aggravated felony conviction. Lastly, the memo provides a pause on deportations. While the memo provides some relief, we must not let our guard down. This is after all a temporary order, which makes the 100 days a critical time to push for the Biden Administration to implement long term relief.
The review of past prosecutorial discretions memos is an important action. This is a process that must center the voices of those impacted by enforcement actions. We must continue to challenge the exclusion of individuals with criminal records from relief and protection. We cannot go back to the prosecutorial discretion memos brought to us by the Obama administration that only furthered the narrative of good immigrants versus bad immigrants. We strongly believe that no one is disposable and that enforcement guidelines that prioritize folks with criminal records, terrorism accusations, and recent arrivals only serves the purpose of continuing the targeting and criminalization of members of our immigrant community. While the pause of deportations is a welcomed action, we must not forget that this does not mean a halt of enforcement. This does not mean a pause on raids and arrests. This also does not speak at all to the individuals currently in ICE detention.
The next 100 days are critical and will set the tone for what's to come in the next four years of the Biden administration. As OCAD, we are committed to demands that bring us closer to liberation for the immigrant community, demands that continue to bring change from the bottom up:
- The immediate release of those under ICE detention and the closure of these detention centers and ICE contracts.
- Bring home those who have been deported, including immigrant activists and organizers whom DHS targeted and deported because they engaged in protest, reported abuse, and other civil rights activity.
- Defund the ICE and CBP budget, nearly $26 billion, that allows them to execute harmful enforcement actions against our immigrant communities. This money should instead be invested in efforts that keep our communities safe, such as housing, education, and healthcare.
We know that radical change doesn’t come from the president’s office or any other politician. We need to continue to organize and demand for more actions that bring justice and safety to our communities. We must also make it clear that we are watching and ready to hold elected officials accountable. We are what we need!
Freedom or Prison Zine
This zine was created by the people closest to the issue – directly impacted communities and grassroots community organizers.
Practices for Our Heart, Body, and Soul
In this zine, you will find some practices for anxiety and some recipes for delicious teas for when your body and heart don't feel well.
ICE’s Ability to Detain Immigrants Through Mass Raids and Traffic Stops Would Be Significantly Limited Under Preliminarily Approved Court Settlement
Biden and Mayorkas Usher in…. A Continuation of Nationalism, White Supremacy, Xenophobia, and Black and brown Policing
We are hiring a digital organizer!
Want to join the OCAD team? We are currently looking for a Digital Organizer to join our team
Movement Did This; Our Next Targets Are Clear.
As an undocumented-led collective in the city of Chicago, we will take a moment to breathe and cherish this moment as we prepare to continue the ongoing radical grassroots organizing happening throughout the city. Trump is on his way out of office. However, we know that the same racist and inhumane structures of this capitalist empire are still up and running.
Supreme Court Rules DACA Program Can Continue, Yet Some DACA Recipients Have Already Been Deported
For us at OCAD this moment is a reminder that the struggle for dignity and justice is far from over.
Chicago COVID-19 FOIA Project with Just Futures Law
We joined Just Futures Law in the #COVID19Project to find out more about how our data is being collected and shared across private companies and city agencies.
COVID19 Support for Undocumented Families
There are 11 million undocumented immigrants who aren’t eligible for a stimulus check. Please see how you can support below
Taller de Criminalización
Este taller de criminalización es un recurso preparado por Comunidades Organizadas contra las Deportaciones (OCAD) y el Centro para la Nueva Comunidad (CNC). La clave para luchar contra el sentimiento anti-inmigrante es comprender que no se trata de delincuencia, sino de la criminalización.
Erase the Chicago Gang Database
We advocate for the elimination of the use of detention centers and deportations, surveillance mechanisms, and “reforms” that exclude the most criminalized amongst us. One way we are doing this is by advocating for the elimination of the City of Chicago’s gang database.
Mohammed's Victory
Mohamed is a Palestinian undocumented immigrant who was flagged by the FBI for having “terrorist affiliations”. Mohamed was in a detention center for over a year and couldn’t be deported because he was considered “stateless” given his Palestinian nationality.
Genoveva's Victory
Genoveva’s case is one of OCAD’s first victories. OCAD supported her in filing a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (something that takes a lot of courage). As a result, Genoveva got her U visa approved, is with her family and continues to fight for others.
Wilmer's Victory
Wilmer Catalan had been residing in the US for over 10 years and, in March of 2017, ICE agents unlawfully entered his home without a criminal warrant or consent. ICE had conducted a raid based on false information obtained from the Chicago Police Department indicating Wilmer belonged to a street gang.
.svg){kind=small}
