Texas organization launches campaign to educate immigrants on their rights

SUNLAND PARK, NM - OCTOBER 03: A cloud pases over the U.S.-Mexico border fence on October 4, 2016 in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Workers are upgrading the chain-link fence in the area to combat smugglers and undocumented immigrant crossings in the area on the outskirts of El Paso, Texas. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (2016 Getty Images)

El Paso, Texas – A human rights organization has launched a campaign providing guidance to Texas residents who are concerned by the changes on immigration enforcement announced by President-elect Donald Trump during his campaign.

Starting Dec. 1st, the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) will hold 100 community forums as part of its “Protect Our Families and Rights” campaign, aimed at educating immigrants on their constitutionals rights and how to prepare for possible raids.

The forums will take place from now until the inauguration of Trump in mid-January.

The effort is part of a multi-layered campaign that the group hopes will prevent immigration rights abuses. BNHR is the organization that hosts #HugsNotWalls events.

“Border residents like us have the advantage of seeing the world through multiple lenses,” said El Paso County Commissioner David Stout at a press conference to announce the campaign.

Stout continued, “Our vision is one that seeks to integrate, invigorate and elevate those in our communities who strive to improve their lives and the lives of their children, despite race, ethnicity, religion, economic status, immigration status, or any other characteristic.”

Many members of the Latino community have expressed concern about massive deportations, especially those that will separate immediate family members.

“This is certainly not the time to parse words: immigrants throughout the United States and Texas will be the targets of our elected national and state lawmakers,” said Stout.

But Republicans in the area and Trump himself have insisted that the focus will be to deport criminals.

Adolpho Telles, the Republican Chairman for El Paso County, used the analogy of a jail.

“American citizens who break the law and go to jail are separated from their families,” he said. “Why should it be any different for non-citizens who break the law?”

Telles said law-abiding residents, even many illegal law-abiding residents, should not have such a fear of a Trump presidency.

BNHR’s campaign includes a “March for Inclusion, Dignity, and Rights” on Dec. 10 and #HugsNotWalls 3 on Jan. 28.

In the spring of 2017 they plan to send a delegation to Washington D.C. in support of a bipartisan enforcement reform.