The images and audio of Latino kids being separated from their parents, kept in cages and tent cities at the U.S.-Mexico border are breaking everybody's heart. Yes, everybody, because the people who think this is right must not have one. While there is not an easy fix, there are ways we all can help them.
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Despite how callous and inhumane separation of children from their parents is, there are many people who are working hard to help them. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but because they are deeply affected by the situation.
As Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU's immigrants' rights project, told MSNBC's Chris Hayes:"This is the worst thing I've seen in 25-plus years of doing this civil rights work… I am talking to these mothers and they are describing their kids screaming, 'Mommy, Mommy, don't let them take me away!'
Even if the President signs an executive order, as he hinted he may do, the parents and children will still need help for a long time.
Here's how you can do your part.
While Gelernt has firsthand experience, most Americans realized how bad things were thanks to this photo.
Getty photographer John Moore described on his Instagram feed what was happening when he took the image:
"A Honduran asylum seeker, age 2, cries as she and her mother are taken into custody by federal agents near the US-Mexico border. The mother said they had been traveling for a month to reach the United States. They had just crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico and were then transported to a US Customs and Border Protection processing center. The Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy for undocumented immigrants calls for the frequent separation of parents and children while their cases for political asylum are adjudicated, a process that can take months – or years. "
Then came this audio.
The little voices and their pained crying. It's just devastating and it's easy to understand why the U.N. and Amnesty International describe the practice of separating children from their parents as nothing short of torture.
This is the reality for thousands of Latino kids.
There are dozens of organizations fighting for them and the four living First Ladies, including Melania Trump, have asked for this practice to end.
So far the White House is deaf to all the voices asking to make this right. But you, and every citizen, have ways to help.
The easiest way is donating money.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend had this suggestion. They helped raise over $1,000,000 already. Unfortunately, it's not enough.
There is a way to make texting the authorities even easier.
It helps you write a letter with easy prompts and then sends your message to any of your elected officials.
The Department of Justice also needs to hear your opinion.
Both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security are under the White House's authority, but the officials have the President's ear and he needs to hear your voice.
Although none of these are elected officials, they all work for the American people.
Give them a call and tell them how you feel about this situation.
These are specific bills that could help.
When you write or phone your representatives or senators you could refer to them.
The organization Act Blue also makes donating easy.
The money goes to organizations that are helping the kids and their families in different ways.
Remember that America has changed for the better through civic and paceful protests.
You can participate in person or through social media.
Your thumb and mouse can be powerful.
Click and comment on the posts and news articles about this issue. It's a way to keep the topic current.
Talk about it.
Post on your social media, educate your neighboor and pay attention to the news. It's hard, it's painful, but imagine the long-lasting damage these kids will have after this traumatic experience.
Here is a list of many of the organizations helping. They need money, translators and activists.
