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Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

How To Fight Trump’s Anti-American Agenda on Immigration and Refugees

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Crooked Media

Society & Culture

4.81.1K Ratings

🗓️ 6 February 2025

⏱️ 60 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Trump's immigration crackdown is in full force. Three weeks in, he’s signed 10 executive orders targeting everyone from migrants attempting to cross the border to refugees seeking asylum from their war-torn countries. This week, Stacey Abrams dives deep with two expert guests. Nayna Gupta, Director of Policy at the American Immigration Council, breaks down how immigrants already in the US are being affected, the rise in ICE raids, what a humane immigration system should look like, and how to empower those at risk by knowing our rights. Then, Jeremy Konyndyk, President of Refugees International, explains why America’s stance on asylum and refugees is at the core of who we are as a country and how the world sees us. He debunks viral disinformation about federal aid, discusses the importance of saving USAID and refugee resettlement programs against attack, and shines a light on how polling confirms Americans are in fact welcoming to immigrants. Together, they explain why we should harness a shared vision for our country with immigration as a vital part. Stacey also answers a listener question about how people can form citizen action groups in their local areas. We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show. Learn & Do More: To understand more about undocumented immigration, asylum seekers, refugees, and how to know your rights against ICE, visit organizations dedicated to each issue for further insight. This includes Refugees International’s Advocacy Lab, the American Immigration Council, and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. The National Domestic Workers Alliance also has a helpful guide to know your rights and to prepare yourself. At a time of heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric influencing all members of Congress, it is even more important they know that you support your immigrant friends and neighbors - on both sides of the aisle. Write and call your members of Congress. The Congressional switchboard number is 202-224-3121. Give them your state & zip code and ask to be transferred to your representative and Senators. Please also contact your state and city government to advocate for better policies at the local level. If you want to help refugees resettle in the US, find an organization in your home state that does this work, like a local mutual aid group. Remember, these are families who have left everything behind. You can help with donations or by volunteering your time—whatever you have the capacity for.

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:04.9

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1:07.0

Welcome to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams from Cricket Media. I'm your host, Stacey Abrams.

1:17.4

Today, we are going to turn our focus to immigration. This is a very complicated topic because it contains a variety of complex issues that are often interrelated and intention.

1:30.3

As a nation founded by immigrants, we have long struggled with the fact that we need external labor.

1:36.6

There is the compassion that so many of us hold for those seeking a better life,

1:40.8

and yet there's a fear of those who might bring harm or an animosity towards those

1:46.4

who are considered too different to include.

1:49.7

Politicians in particular approach the topic with trepidation, and many among us conflate

1:55.6

the blaring headlines that are designed to stoke anger or nativism without helping us to understand what exactly

2:04.0

we're talking about. We have a responsibility, though, because we are watching the emergence

2:10.8

of a terrifying jingoism, this despicable response that makes us believe that we are better than, and it uses immigration

2:21.8

as its war cry.

...

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