Upholding Human Rights: Condemn Family Separation and Detention, Act Now - July 2018

Drafted by the People of Color Commission, approved by the National Action Committee

In the most strident terms possible, the Socialist Party condemns the reprehensible separation of families at the United States border by the Trump Administration.

This blatant violation of human rights, justified by a xenophobic, far-right immigration policy, flies in the face of human compassion as well as all ethical and moral standards. The United States government’s lack of basic humanity is evidenced by the fact that the separation of families has been compared to Nazi concentration camps and the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War Two.
We demand the immediate reunification of all children stolen from their families through this inhumane policy.
We demand that the United States Congress immediately enact legislation to reverse and permanently criminalize this family separation policy.
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We demand the complete demilitarization of borders and equal citizenship rights for all people.

While the act of separating families has ended, the legalized abuse inflicted upon undocumented families has not. As was the case under the Bush and Obama administrations, undocumented people can still be held in detention for months without the right to due processand without basic amenities like safe food and hygiene facilities. This policy includes families with children.

President Trump has defined these actions as a “zero tolerance” policy. In response, we declare and reaffirm our zero tolerance towards this country’s inhumane treatment of immigrants and the hatred, oppression, and lies peddled by President Trump and his administration.

Fighting to keep families together is crucial but we cannot stop there in the fight for freedom from capitalism. In that spirit, we encourage you to join the Socialist Party’s efforts to organize against ICE and the Trump Administration.

Statement from the People of Color Commission on the Unequivocal Support of Immigrant Rights

[Adopted by Commission on March 3, 2017 and by the National Action Committee on May 15, 2017 ]

Following the recent reported uptick in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids against the immigrant community and in particular the Latino immigrant community the People of Color Commission of the Socialist Party USA reiterates our Party’s steadfast commitment in support of people of color.

The Socialist Party USA recognizes the intimate link between racism and capitalism and demands the elimination of all forms of discrimination in housing, jobs, education, health care, immigration, etc. We are committed to the creation of a pluralistic society that defends and promotes a multicultural/multiethnic presence in both the public and private spheres. The Socialist Party is committed to the eradication of racism.

Owing to our uncompromising support of people of color regardless of their US documented status, the Socialist Party strongly condemns the ICE raids that have been taking place and are currently taking place in the United States.

Our country continues to profit from the labor of immigrants, from the high tech sphere of Silicon Valley to the agricultural fields across America. The reality of the immigrant community in the labor force is one of long hours with below minimum wage pay or wage theft, no benefits, no health insurance and yet they contribute to the wealth of our communities.

The Socialist Party is committed to the rights of communities of color regardless of an individual’s birthplace, religions, education, socio-economic class or documented status.

The Socialist Party will work collectively with grassroots groups, nonprofits and civil right law organizations to ensure that the undocumented community's rights are not violated, that deportations stop immediately and that a clear path to full citizenship is granted to people who live and work in the United States, a path that does not require military service.

The Socialist Party defends the rights of all immigrants to an education, health care and full civil and legal rights and call for the following:

• Defend the rights of all immigrants to education, health care, and full civil and legal rights.
• An unconditional amnesty program for all undocumented people.
• An end to the privatization of prisons and detention centers.
• Support of refugees and aiding them in relocation, providing assistance, etc.
• Providing asylum to those who need it.
• Full citizenship upon demonstration of residency for six months.
• Oppose the militarization of the United States/Mexican border, and an increase in the service budget instead of the "military" budget of the INS.
• Oppose the imposition of any fees on those receiving amnesty.
• Call for an end to the use of "secret evidence" in deportation hearings, a ban on all immigration detentions and military tribunals, and full due process and habeus corpus rights in U.S. courts for all non-citizens on U.S. territory or in U.S. custody.
• Demand an end to police raids in areas where immigrants congregate. End to the privatization of detention centers.

The war on immigrants must end now.

Forward in struggle,

The People of Color Commission of the Socialist Party USA

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