ICE Raids, Military Force on American Soil, and the Fight for Justice in America

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Last week, ICE stormed through Los Angeles, raiding Home Depots, warehouses, and schools in a cruel, targeted crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Those raids sparked a wave of protests as thousands of Angelenos marched through downtown, denouncing the Trump administration’s unjust actions. What began as largely peaceful demonstrations escalated after Trump defied both the California governor and LA mayor by deploying the National Guard and the Marines to the city. It was a deliberate show of force and a warning to other blue states: this is what happens when you resist. But LA didn’t back down. Over the weekend, Angelenos joined millions of other demonstrators in every state for the No King’s protests, while Trump held an underwhelming military parade on the streets of Washington DC. It’s a stark contrast in a moment when we must continue to stand up to the onslaught anti-Democratic power grabs and strongman tactics. This week, Stacey sits down with MSNBC's senior Washington correspondent and co-host of MSNBC's the Weekend, Eugene Daniels and Immigrant Defenders Law Center (IMMDEF) attorney Yliana Johansen-Méndez to help us unpack what's happening right now and prepare for what's coming next.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Learn & Do More:

1. Be Curious: To better understand the current national debate around immigration, our June Assembly Required reading recommendation is “The End of Asylum” by Philip G. Schrag, Andrew I. Schoenholtz, and Jaya Ramji-Nogales. These leading immigration law experts trace the evolution of the U.S. asylum system and expose how the Trump administration dismantled America’s long-standing role as a refuge for the persecuted. And as Eugene mentioned, watch your local news, subscribe to your local paper, and stay plugged into what's happening in your own community. To learn more about how you can support local journalism, visit the American Journalism Project at www.theajp.org.
2. Solve Problems: As the rule of law continues to erode, it’s more important than ever to support those on the front lines—legal aid organizations, researchers, and advocates serving immigrant communities. Find out how you can get involved and make a difference in your own area. If you're in Southern California, connect with our guest Yliana’s organization, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, at www.immdef.org.
3. Do Good: Protest works—but not everyone can take to the streets. Start where you are and use what you have. If you're on social media, amplify the voices and stories of those directly impacted by the Trump administration’s campaign of fear. If you’re able to volunteer, find a local organization supporting immigrants and get involved. If you would like to contribute directly to a detained immigrants bond fund, you can visit Clue Justice at https://www.cluejustice.org/support-the-detained-immigrant-bond-fund/ Every action counts.