A Call to Action for Immigration Justice

On a Personal Level:

• Take refuge in the Buddhist teachings of compassion, equanimity, and the basic goodness of all sentient beings. Take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. 
• Become a member of the Buddhist Coalition for Democracy: https://www.buddhistcoalitionfordemocracy.org
• Consider these teachings as part of your practice:
  • https://jackkornfield.com/ep-116-equanimity-and-the-heart-of-compassion/
  • https://sangha.live/dharma-library/compassion-and-equanimity-facing-challenges-in-difficult-times/
  • https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/article/the-nature-of-compassion/
  • https://plumvillage.org/articles/how-equanimity-powers-love
  • https://www.tarabrach.com/spiritual-audacity-the-lions-roar-heart/

On a Sangha level:

• Organize a YouTube watch party of the Buddhist Voices for Immigration Justice town hall Zoom recording and follow up with a discussion about compassionate action.
• Participate in local Buddhist organizations with meditation and discussion groups.
• If local groups aren’t available, participate in a meditation group virtually:
  • BCD Meditation Group: https://www.buddhistcoalitionfordemocracy.org/series/bcd-weekly-meditation-group/
  • IMCW BIPOC Sangha: https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=739
  • IMCW Café con Leche Sangha (Spanish): https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=1212
  • Garrison Institute BIPOC Meditation Sangha: https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/online-communities/bipoc-meditation-sangha/
  • Atlanta Shambhala BIPOC Meditation Group: https://atlanta.shambhala.org/community-relations-committee/people-color-sangha/

On a Community Level:

• Be aware of ICE detention centers that may be in your area: https://www.ice.gov/detention-facilities
• Determine if your local law enforcement and county jails are participating in the detainment of immigrants and/or American citizens.
• Join or coordinate a local group that trains volunteers and publishes reports about ICE detentions in your area.
• Find a group that monitors detention center conditions and organizes visits.
• Participate in local protest rallies for immigration rights.

On a State and National Level:

• VOTE! Participate in local, state and national elections.
• Give voice to your concerns of immigrant rights to candidates running for office.
• Communicate with your elected officials in office about advocacy for immigration rights.
• Volunteer with or donate to immigrant advocacy groups like:
  • National Immigration Project: https://nipnlg.org
  • American Immigration Council: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org
  • National Immigration and Litigation Alliance: https://immigrationlitigation.org
  • Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights: https://www.theyoungcenter.org
  • Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project: https://firrp.org
  • Envision Freedom Fund: https://envisionfreedom.org
  • Detention Watch Network: https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org
  • CASA Maryland: https://wearecasa.org/maryland-2/
  • National Immigration Justice Center: https://immigrantjustice.org
  • Immigrant Defenders Law Center: https://www.immdef.org
  • Immigrant and Legal Resource Center: https://www.ilrc.org
  • National Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org
  • Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES): https://raicestexas.org
  • Legal Aid Justice Center: https://www.justice4all.org
  • Amica Center: https://amicacenter.org