Say NO to Exclusions Based on Immigration Status
Today, the DC Council Committee on Human Services is having a hearing on the permanent Migrant Services and Supports Act. This bill is meant to support migrants bused to DC from Texas and Arizona, but in reality it is a deeply harmful bill that will have broad impacts on the DC immigrant community. Title I of the bill creates an Office of Migrant Services (OMS), under the Department of Human Services (DHS), and defines its function that includes greeting buses, helping people move on to their final destination, and providing temporary shelter and services. However, what is glaringly missing from OMS’ mandate is any long-term support for migrants who choose to settle in DC, thereby feeding into the narrative that Mayor Bowser has used since day one that no one is actually staying in the District.
Title II amends the Homeless Services Reform Act (HSRA) to redefine who is considered a resident by excluding many migrants from accessing homeless services and continuum of care in the District. These two titles together 1) create an alternative “stream of services” for migrants that doesn’t include any long-term housing support or wraparound services and 2) exclude many migrants from accessing homeless services that are available to others. This will impact both asylum-seekers who were bused here from Texas and Arizona and countless immigrants who have lived in DC for years.
The Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network fundamentally opposes excluding people from accessing homeless services and from establishing residency in DC based on immigration status and national origin. You can read more about the bill here.
Tweet at the Members of the Committee on Human Services and tell them not to exclude migrants from accessing homeless services in DC!
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Two days after giving non-citizens the right to vote in DC, @councilofdc is hearing a bill that would ban those very same ppl from accessing homeless services! Say NO to exclusions! @BrianneKNadeau @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @trayonwhite @RobertWhite_DC @tweetelissa #NoSanctuaryInThisCity
The Migrant Services & Supports Act is meant to help migrants being bused here but instead it excludes them from homeless services. Say NO to exclusion based on immigration status! @BrianneKNadeau @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @trayonwhite @RobertWhite_DC @tweetelissa #NoSanctuaryInThisCity
Instead of investing more resources into supporting unhoused folks, @councilofdc are excluding ppl from accessing services based on their immigration status! This is unacceptable. @BrianneKNadeau @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @trayonwhite @RobertWhite_DC @tweetelissa #NoSanctuaryInThisCity
Send an email to the committee members as well using AILA’s quick and easy toolkit!
