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Image from “Stop Separating Immigrant Families Press Conference and Rally Chicago Illinois 6-5-18 1943,” Charles Edward Miller

To our CRE community,

As an organization that has been working to promote equity and drive social change for almost four decades, CRE stands with all of our client organizations that are serving immigrant, refugee, and marginalized communities. It is their continuous advocacy and collective voices that moved the President to sign an Executive Order that allows families to be detained together at the border.

But this Executive Order is not enough. It does nothing for the 2,300 children who have already been separated from their parents, and it will lead to families being detained together indefinitely, breaking the federal settlement that states children can only be detained for 20 days.

The separation of children from their families enacts a cycle of intergenerational trauma that hurts all of us— including those who witness, sanction and carry out these actions. And while this is painful for everyone, we know policies like these impact families of color with deeper and more devastating implications. It is inhumane. And it is unjust.

Sadly, this is not a new American story. As we fight this latest atrocity from the administration in Washington, we note that the separation of families of color has been long-standing policy – from slavery to World War II internment camps to modern day mass incarceration of adults and children of color – and reaffirm our commitment to correct this injustice.

We are inspired and motivated by our clients who lead with courage and compassion in the face of these atrocities – and will continue to support them in their ongoing work to protect and advance our collective humanity.

We stand with you in solidarity and action.

Katie Leonberger,
President and CEO of Community Resource Exchange