With rising political oppression in countries like Venezuela thousands of immigrants or caravanning to the United States border seeking political asylum. During 2018 over 800,000 immigrants were apprehended at the U.S southwest border. Many of which have traveled thousands of miles to flee political or religious oppression, gang violence and forced labor. However, the hopes of those seeking political asylum are dampened by a new wave of U.S government policies. Over 76000 Children were apprehend, separated from their families and placed in detention facilities in 2018 by U.S Customs and Border Protection Officers. Where many are still being held without access to their parents.
As President Donald Trump steps-up border security based on the campaign promises on which he built his political career. His immigration reform policy includes massive deportation of illegal immigrants and building a wall. The president has described immigrants as rapists and criminals and referred to their countries as quote shithole countries. His critics say his hateful rhetoric has had deadly consequences in the form of mass shootings like the one at a Walmart in El Paso where a white nationalist targeted Hispanic immigrants. As a result, many immigrants are living in fear. However, there many groups advocating for the rights of immigrants. There are new types of advocate groups known as border abolitionists who believes in a world without borders. One such group are the organizers of The Open Border Conference.
The Open Border Conference is organized by the free migration project which is a Philadelphia based organization that advocates for the free migration of people across international boundaries. The conference is in its second year and is held at The New School in Manhattan. The first Conference was held in Washington D.C. Conference are held to provides an opportunity for advocates and activists to have open discussion about open borders and immigration issues. Open border conferences are one day events held in a different location each year and is by supported donation received from members and attendees. The conference is still in a stage of infancy, so organizers have not yet found a permanent home. Whether or not the conference finds a permanent home, organizers are determined to ensure it continues. In light, of current federal laws that prevents illegal immigrants from getting assistance from citizens Steven believe that groups might be the best way to go. Given that people like Scott Warren Is doing time in prison for helping an immigrant.
Organizers and patrons alike share, one radical view that all borders are inherently unjust. Therefore, the world should be free of borders and people should be allowed to move freely anywhere in the world. Steven Sacco one of the organizers and member of the board of free migration project believes that all borders hurts families and all borders separate children from families. This is why he finds what’s happening to children at the US border so disgusting and refers to it as an act of terrorism. Injustice like these, border abolitionist beliefs can only be addressed by eliminating all borders. To reduce the suffering faced by most immigrants Steven recommends immigrants should all join a group in the United States that advocates for their rights. He believes it is fundamentally important that conferences like The Open Border Conference be held to enhance awareness of immigration problems. While Steven did not divulge the location of the next conference, he did confirm that planning is on its way for the next conference.
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