In response to Congress passing a massive domestic policy bill, Tahirih’s Director of Public Policy Casey Carter Swegman, sent the following message to supporters:
While the votes were close, I’m deeply disappointed to share that the House has passed the reconciliation bill and sent it to the President’s desk for signature. Despite powerful opposition from advocates, communities, members of Congress, and you. Regardless of the outcome, I hope you know that your voice matters and will continue to make a difference.
This law delivers devastating blows to every community across our country, and the impacts will be acutely felt by immigrant survivors of gender-based violence and their children.
As CEO Archi Pyati stated, “This law will make it harder for immigrant survivors to access the lifelines they need to rebuild their lives. It slashes access to food stamps and health care for those fleeing violence and exploitation, imposes new financial penalties on people seeking safety, and pours billions into detention and deportation—tearing families apart and trapping survivors in cycles of fear and abuse. Shockingly, it even strips protections from children, allowing for indefinite ‘family detention.’ All the while, it expands tax breaks for the wealthiest among us. These are profoundly misguided priorities that will force immigrant survivors and their children further into the shadows and cause lasting harm to the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Let us be clear: we are not giving up.
