NDLON Somos Más Youth Committee Gathers in Washington D.C to Stand Up for Their Rights and Future Generations

Washington D.C, May 15 — Wearing trucker hats that read “Somos Mas”, “We are More” and carrying a banner that read “ We live here, We belong here, Nuestros Birthrights” youth leaders from across the country joined hundreds gathered in front of the steps of the Supreme Court yesterday during the Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship. All youth leaders are proud children of Immigrant parents and workers who help build and sustain this Country.

Gisselle Huerta, from Middle Tennessee and  the founder of Hijos de Inmigrantes, also known as Children of Immigrants was one of the youth leaders who traveled to D.C. For her, the fight to protect birthright citizenship is personal, “We are here today to advocate for the protection of birthright citizenship. This is not just a policy issue; it is a matter of basic human dignity and constitutional rights. Efforts to take away birthright citizenship are attacks on our identity, our families, and our future. We refuse to stand by while our rights — and the rights of so many in our communities — are stripped away. We are here to speak out, to stand strong, and to demand justice”

Ashley Ramirez Ocotzi from Atlantic City, NJ with El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City stated, “My presence here is for my family. While I hold the privilege of US citizenship, they do not, making it my responsibility to advocate fiercely, especially now when Immigrants feel so unwelcome despite their profound contributions and love for this nation. As a future attorney and judge, this is just the beginning of ensuring our country upholds its promise of life, liberty, and justice for all, particularly for our Immigrant communities.”

Alexander Mendoza, also from Atlantic City, NJ shared “My reasoning behind coming to D.C is to stand alongside youth like me who have one thing in common – having parents who came to the country undocumented. Our parents came here to establish themselves and give us a better future. As a child of immigrants it’s important to continue the legacy of our parents. Today that means standing up for our rights and the rights of those who will come after us.”

Jasmine Khadem Gonzalez, an Immigrant Rights organizer from Houston, Texas who has been organizing deportation defense in her community stated “In Houston we are defending our communities with Know Your Rights trainings, deportation defense and pressuring our City Council and Mayor to stop the Houston Police Department from collaborating with ICE. I came to D.C to show the Trump Administration that although he may try to separate our families, call us terrorists, or take away our status to try and expand his fascist dictatorship, we are here to stay and resist until our families, our students, and our people are safe.”

After the hearing, youth leaders gathered at the United Methodist Church across the street from the Supreme Court to engage in a strategy session to plan their next steps. It was a powerful and inspiring meeting where leaders were able to update each other on the state of Immigrant Rights in their home States and brainstorm tactics of support and solidarity.

Que vivan los Jóvenes! Long Live the Youth! Solo el Pueblo Salva al Pueblo!