As our communities protest police brutality and systematic racism, undocumented immigrants are hesitant to join.
Not because they don't agree, or want the racism to continue, but because they are afraid of being deported.
For an undocumented immigrant, or even someone under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an arrest can mean deportation and family separation.
By joining the protests, they would be putting their entire lives in America on the line.
Especially now, after the Customs and Border Protection announced they would be sending officials to assist in confronting the protests.
But we can't let them scare us into silence.
If you are scared of joining the protests in fear of ICE or CBP, there are other ways to show your support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
You can post on social media, donate to bail efforts for people arrested at protests, make face masks for protesters to stay safe from COVID-19, and support black-owned businesses.
You can even watch this video on YouTube.
It is an hour-long video compilation of music, art, and poetry from black creators, and the ad revenue is being directly donated to BLM-related organizations.
There are many ways to help support this movement without leaving your home or putting your immigration status at risk.
So even if you are afraid of going to these protests, don't let that stop you from supporting this cause.
Don't let the police, CBP, or ICE silence you.
You are needed in this fight against racism too.
