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One family laid off its nanny but wondered if she would video chat with the children for free. Across the country, undocumented household workers are being cast out with little help.
COVID-19 has destroyed the livelihoods of many in our community. But whereas those with status can rely on unemployment benefits, medicare, and any forthcoming federally funded COVID-19 relief programs to get them through this crisis, our undocumented community members can only get help from us.
Justice. Belonging. Humanity. Courage. Solidarity.
Grounded in these values that drive our mission, GCIR condemns racism and racial terror. We condemn the racism and racial terror that have oppressed and brutalized African Americans for more than 400 years.
As an organization dedicated to advancing justice and equity for all, we at GCIR are appalled at the insurrection, violence, and rioting we witnessed earlier this week, which were direct consequences of the divisive rhetoric and oppressive policies promulgated by Trump and his enablers over the past four years.
With the shift in our nation’s presidential administration and promise of tougher enforcement, organizations across the state of Florida are mobilizing and organizing to defend immigrant and other marginalized communities. Florida has been among the battleground states in the fight for immigrant rights with recent passage of SB 1718 and other harmful policies aimed to curb migration into Florida and stoke fear within communities.
All of us at GCIR grieve for the lives lost in Christchurch, New Zealand, and stand in support of their families and Muslim communities across the world. We see you, we mourn with you, and our hearts are breaking along with yours.
Find all program-related materials for GCIR's webinar "Beyond the Border: How Receiving Cities are Welcoming Asylum Seekers" here, including the session recording and transcription of the meeting.
In her second quarterly message of 2022, GCIR president Marissa Tirona shares some of the highlights of GCIR’s recent work, including GCIR’s national convening in Houston in May, grantmaking and learning through the California Dignity for Families Fund, developing a theory of change though the strategic planning process, and partnering with Upwardly Global to advance the economic power of immigrant and refugee women of color.
As we recognize National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, many of the essential workers who put food on our tables, keep us healthy, and care for our loved ones continue to be at risk of exploitation. Many foreign-born essential workers, particularly those on temporary worker visas or those lacking work authorization, are victims of wage theft or survivors of human trafficking with few options for leaving those abusive circumstances. Perpetrators traffic individuals into agriculture, restaurant, factory, construction, domestic, and other work, industries in which enforcement of labor protections needs vast improvement.
Building on the legacy of Queer and Trans elders and pioneers, LGBTQ immigrant and refugee leaders continue to lead the fight for societal transformation. For years, these leaders have advocated for increased funding to support LGBTQ immigrant communities, particularly to address lack of access to medical care and asylum and detention issues (including sexual assault). A 2017 Congressional inquiry found that LGBTQ immigrants are 97 times more likely to be sexually victimized than non-LGBTQ people while in ICE custody. However, LGTBQ immigrant issues continue to receive less funding when compared to overall dollar amounts invested in LGBTQ communities.