Hurricane Milton Impacts and Beyond

Challenging Injustice, Advancing Human Rights

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee advances human rights through grassroots collaborations.

End Migrant Child Detention: Week of Action, June 9-16

Join UUSC and allies in taking action to end the detention of migrant children in the United States.

As of July 1, the U.S. government is holding more than 2,000 migrant children in detention in Homestead, Florida – a direct legacy of the administration’s family separation policy, which tore thousands of kids from their parents and warehoused them in Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) facilities across the country.

By targeting these kids’ relatives and adult sponsors and sharing their data with immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has made it almost impossible for many children to be released. Also, by labeling Homestead an “emergency influx” facility, the administration has sidestepped licensing requirements that would ordinarily protect children.

You can take action to end this child detention travesty now.

UUSC, in coalition with the Unitarian Universalist Association, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, the American Friends Service Committee, and others, organized a Week of Action to close Homestead and end child detention.  We also invite you to take these two actions below:

1.) Call your Members of Congress

We are asking Congress to show leadership in the face of this human rights emergency. Call your Representatives and Senators and share with them the following message:

Hello, my name is [First, Last], and I’m a constituent living in [City, State]. I’m calling because I’m deeply concerned that our government is holding children in detention in Homestead, Florida. I ask you to end this unjust practice by supporting the Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act (H.R.1069/ S.397), which would end the use of emergency influx facilities, and the Families, Not Facilities Act (H.R.2217/ S.388), which would prevent the administration from interfering with family reunifications by targeting the sponsors of unaccompanied minors.

2.) Facebook Show of Solidarity: Profile Frame

We’ve made a UUSC-branded Facebook profile frame to call for an end to Migrant Child Detention. Show your solidarity and support by following the steps below:

  1. Go to www.facebook.com/profilepicframes.
  2. Search for our frame by typing “UUSC” in the search bar.
  3. Select the UUSC frame, adjust your photo as needed, and click Use as Profile Picture.

Events During June 9-16 Week of Action:

Join us for on-the-ground actions in Washington, D.C. and Homestead, Florida during the week of action:

Sunday, June 9, Washington, D.C.: Where Are the Children?

Time: 10:00 am to 5:45 pm

National Mall, between 12th and 14th Street

Washington, DC 20001

Wednesday, June 12, Washington, D.C.: March for Hope 

Time: 2:00 pm

100 Maryland Ave NE

Washington, DC 20002

We’ll be gathering at the United Methodist building (100 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002) at 1 PM for art and sign-making, following by a press conference and a march to the Department of Health and Human Services, where we’ll be delivering the signatures of the thousands of people who have signed the petition to close Homestead and end child detention.

Saturday, June 15, Miami, Florida: American Friends Service Committee & Allies Session

3 – 6 PM: Training/Strategy Session and Community Building

6 – 8 PM: Solidarity Dinner, Action Briefing, and Sign-making

8 – 9 PM: Interfaith Service/Havdalah

Sunday, June 16, Homestead, Florida: March to End Child Detention

Hosted by AFSC and partners

Time: 2:00-5:00 pm

920 Bougainville Blvd.

Homestead, FL 33039

Learn more about Homestead and related issues