More than 80 Undocumented Trans and Queer People Will Descend on ICE Headquarters Operation “Break the Cage” to Expose ICE’s Human Rights Violations Against the Undocumented LGBTQ Community
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Wednesday, May 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET, the largest gathering of undocumented Queer and Trans people will rally in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Carlos Padilla, the Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project’s Coordinator said: “With more than 80 countries around the world criminalizing same-sex sexual acts, and many more countries who offer no institutionalized government protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, many like myself, have made and continue to make the difficult survival decision to leave our home countries and come to the United States."
“Detention and deportation is bad for everyone, specially for our LGBTQ communities. Yet, the Department of Homeland Security and those departments whom they oversee which includes Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE) & U.S. Customs And Border Protection have failed to adequately protect our vulnerable communities and have further placed trauma and violence under their administration. Which is why on May 27, we break the cage.”
What: Operation “Break the Cage”
Uplift 3 stories of current cases of trans woman in immigration detention and center the action with stories of trans women who have experience immigration detention.
Speakers:
Marichuy Leal Gamino - Ex Detainee of Eloy Detention Center
Catalina Velasquez - QUIP Advisory Council
Lourdes Ashley Hunter - National Director of Trans Women of Color Collective
Ruby Corado - Executive Director of Casa Ruby
Who: United We Dream, Casa Ruby, & Trans Women of Color Collective
Where: U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement - 500 12th St. SW, Washington, D.C.
When: Wednesday May 27, 12:00 p.m. EST
Visuals: Chains, coffins, cages, posters, chanting, butterflies
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United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation, a powerful nonpartisan network made up of 55 affiliate organizations in 26 states. UWD organizes and advocates for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status. We seek to address the inequities and obstacles faced by immigrant youth and believe that by empowering immigrant youth, we can advance the cause of the entire community—justice for all immigrants.
You can find more about UWD online at www.unitedwedream.org