Frontline Solidarity Training: Immigrant Rights are Worker Rights

This Tuesday, MALC Community Service Liaison Julissa Velazquez attended the AFL-CIO’s Frontline Solidarity Training where Labor representatives and allies from across the country convened to discuss immigration issues and what to expect with the incoming administration. Currently, there are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., many of which are our union brothers, sisters, and siblings. The Trump administration has already vowed to deport millions of undocumented and naturalized immigrants, tearing apart families and destroying our workforce, so we must start preparing for whatever they throw at us. 

The training made things abundantly clear: immigrant rights are workers' rights, and the only thing that will get us through this administration is a fighting spirit and fierce solidarity. His outlandish and unlawful threats will not make us back down.

We, in organized labor, are not only in solidarity with the immigrant rights movement; we are a key component of it. If we hope to continue strengthening the Labor movement, we must acknowledge our part in the immigrant rights movement. Integrating immigrants into our union workplaces is part of our history and will be part of our future.

Here are some ways we can help defend and protect your union siblings:

• Know your rights and educate others on theirs! Whether or not you have documents, you do have rights, so make sure you exercise them.
• Add language in your Collective Bargaining Agreement limiting I-9 self-audits, E-Verify, and law enforcement collaboration.
• Clearly demarcate private and public space in your workplace. ICE cannot enter a private area without a JUDICIAL warrant (unless allowed inside).
• Document (video/audio recording, notetaking, etc.) any encounters with DHS/ICE officers. In case someone is detained, evidence can be thrown out if there is a record of a violation of rights. 

There is so much work to do, but if we hope to defend and advance rights for our immigrant union siblings, we must be ready to put in the hours to do that work. 

Looking for somewhere to start? Contact Julissa at julissa@milwaukeelabor.org to learn how you can protect and defend your union siblings.