08/07/2025
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice
Responding to the Growing Number of Detentions
The administration has stepped up its arrests of undocumented people (as well as legal residents and citizens caught up in the nationwide dragnets). Ultimately, they will try to deport many of these people. The fear is a real factor for Houses of Worship, see "'This is domestic terror': Shaken by ICE raids, pastors rethink ministries" (RNS).
In the interim, many thousands end up in detention centers (nearly 60,000 in ICE custody earlier this summer). They have attempted to handle this new workload by reopening closed centers, collaborating with local sheriffs to utilize jail space, and establishing new facilities at military bases. Multiple news stories have documented the unhealthy and inhumane conditions at these centers, with the notorious new camp in the Florida swamplands getting much attention (NYT).
The administration is also looking to engage the National Guard, to assist in these efforts. If what is happening in Virginia, under Governor Glen Youngkin (R), is any indication of the strategy, that will be through logistics and administrative support. In effect freeing up ICE to focus on field activity and allocate more agency person hours to execute federal detention and deportations.
They also seems to be steering personnel from other agencies into the work at ICE, FEMA Employees Reassigned to ICE (American Prospect).
That is why Detention Watch Network (DWN) -- of which UUSJ is a member -- calls this a "multi-layered detention expansion plan," and has moved, with allies, to relaunch the Communities Not Cages campaign (see below), with goals to:
Stop detention expansion: Supporting local anti-expansion efforts and advocating for less funding for ICE detention.
Shrink the detention system: Shutting Down Detention Centers
Uplift communities: Calling for investment in local communities and passing local anti-expansion legislation.
In addition, the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, of which UUSJ is an active participant, is arranging meetings with key members of Congress, encouraging them to visit detention centers in their districts and draw media attention to these issues. The UUSJ Immigration Action Team (IAT) assisted in preparing background information on the detention crisis for these visits.
IAT materials on detention
Aug 7th
From Outrage to Action: Making Your Voice Heard During Recess
The recent reconciliation bill was a devastating blow, but we are not powerless and this August is one of the most important windows for action on refugee matters.
During the recess, your members will be home: holding public events, and meeting with constituents.
Join CWS to learn how to find out when your members are in your district, and speak out.
Turn your outrage into action. RSVP now.
Speakers include:
Danilo Zak, Director of Policy
Yathrip Abdelgadir, Refugee Community Organizer
Thea Holcomb, Policy Associate
Stop the Centers
Relaunching Communities Not Cages
Detention Watch Network (DWN) has relaunched the Communities Not Cages campaign. It is renewing its call to shut down Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers and stop the expansion and construction of new facilities. Take their action in support now.
In support of the relaunch, UUSJ joined DWN members and organizational cosponsors across the country (you can become a cosponsor here!).
The campaign will amplify local organizing to end ICE detention and highlight the dangers of the Trump administration’s multi-layered detention expansion plan.
Due Process
Sensitive Spaces
Stop Roundups
Protect DACA
Communicating Migrant Needs to Congress and the Administration
This summer, UUSJ and its Immigration Action Team supported immigrant led and interfaith allies in numerous multi organizational letters to decision makers and press releases on such issues as:
Criticizing the many harmful and immoral effects of the budget package, the so called “One Big Beautiful Bill”, following multiple Congressional meetings in June prior to its passage to raise these issues in person;
Urging the State Department to continue processing immigration cases of Afghan allies attempting to rejoin families and friends in the US or to extend current temporary protections for those already in the country;
Supporting the renewal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for those who fled conflict and destruction in Syria.
We are also gearing up to reengage on the Afghan Adjustment issues, now that the House version has been reintroduced and the Senate is moving its take on the matter.
advocacy list
donate
witness list
Fierce Action Now Awaits Federal Agencies and Employees, by Kennith Mitchell
The July 9th, 2025, NY Times front page story announced the historic post-session US Supreme court decision, overturning the lower court decision, upholding the president’s request for the downgrading and restructuring of federal agencies including 11 (-1) cabinet departments and 19 (-1) independent and regulatory agencies, and allows for mass firing of associated federal career service employees. (SCOTUSblog). This monumental decision, rendered without oral arguments, was ratified 8-1, with only Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting in a vibrant rebuttal. Although this decision is temporary, it allows the Trump administration to move forward with an already paved plan for reformulating how the central government would operate, Project 25, “A Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise” authored by the Heritage Foundation. (More on Project 2025: a synopsis by Democracy Forward, a crowd-sourced tracker, or the Authoritarian Playbook by Protect Democracy.)
Ken's full Commentary
Join a training to get skilled up in noncooperation and learn to train others. This is a hot topic now as more people agree we are seeing American authoritarianism.
Demand is expected to outpace supply, so act fast; Freedom Trainers, organizers behind One Million Rising, are among the best at teaching this skill set.
Chicago, IL, August 15 - 17
TBA, TN, August 17 - 20
Seattle, WA, September 12 - 14
New York, NY, November 7 - 10
Aug 13th
What Now? (Final Session). One Million Rising is a powerful national response to the increasing threat of authoritarianism.
The goal is to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of noncooperation, as well as the basics of organizing and campaigns. This is how we build people power that can’t be ignored.
Review this video to catch up.
UUSJ is partnering with the ACLU and Rise for Freedom to bring you in-person activist education trainings locally. Venue restrictions limit space, so sign up quickly to reserve your spot. Check if the following events are accessible to you:
Trenton, NJ, August 16th
Charlotte, NC, August 23rd
Pittsburgh, PA, September 6th
Grand Rapids, MI, Sept. 20th
Dayton, OH, October 18th
Support JVVRAA
Tell both House & Senate: Restore our Voting Rights - Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
The Senate has reintroduced its version of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA), joining the House (H.R. 14). UUSJ has endorsed both bills. Tell your members of Congress to support the JLVRAA of 2025.
The JLVRAA is essential.
Some politicians are trying to roll back voting rights because they fear the power of our voices, so please also take UUSJ's action to stop the SAVE Act.
60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
Yesterday, on August 6, 2025 we marked 60 years since the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was signed into law.
Widely considered the crown jewel of the civil rights movement and the most potentially impactful civil rights law, the VRA continues to reflect the promise of an inclusive, multiracial democracy that works for all, regardless of race, background or zipcode. This was the season of change when the U.S. actually became a modern democracy.
You can still join the pressure campaign with Hashtags:
