Migrant Rights Working Group

The Migrant Rights Working Group of the Salt Lake Democratic Socialists of America stands in solidarity with all immigrants, their families, and their communities against the violent, dehumanizing, and xenophobic “immigration enforcement” actions committed by the US government and its collaborators.

We call for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), recognizing that their continued existence is incompatible with the flourishing of the working class.

We condemn American Imperialism, identifying its central role in the immiseration of foreign workers, creating the conditions for increased migration. We reject the legitimacy of national borders, the artificial cause of economic competition between migrant and domestically-born workers. With the understanding that the capitalist class utilizes anti-immigration policies and rhetoric to undermine working-class power and unity, we refuse to recognize any person as illegal, regardless of documented status.

We condemn the anti-immigration program of the American state, understanding that its ultimate objective is not the enforcement of its unjust laws, but instead the systematic ethnic cleansing from the United States of those people they consider to belong to undesirable races.

In this moment of reactionary repression, it is imperative that we engage in collective struggle against the abuses of the state. Rejecting solidarity with immigrants and their communities cannot be afforded.

MRWG’s current priorities:

  • Providing training to SLDSA members and the public on best practices to most effectively protect vulnerable populations and our communities against federal immigration enforcement agents
  • Resisting local government complicity with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements with ICE, and the construction and maintenance of immigration detention facilities

Founding Resolution for Migrant Rights:

Prioritize Migrant Rights and Our Freedom of Speech

WHEREAS,

  • We cannot be part of a multi-racial working class movement without ending the exploitation and mistreatment of migrants;
  • The capitalist class and those in power abuse the immigration status of migrants as a method of dividing the working class;
  • Trump has followed through on his campaign threats to target migrants by using deportation as a tool of fear and repression;
  • In addition, Trump has also utilized illegal detention and enforcement tactics against lawful green card holders and students including Mahmoud Khalil, Rümeysa Öztürk, and Mohsen Mahdawi; 
  • Further Trump tactics have weaponized immigration status to target labor organizers and immigrant activists such as Alfredo Juarez Zeferino and Jeannette Vizguerra; 
  • Trump’s administration continues to conduct these stress tests of civil rights that undocumented migrants, permanent residents, and citizens all equally must face as a united front;
  • The First Amendment is the first and foremost tool available to activists, organizers, and community members to dissent against fascist policies;
  • Should basic civil rights such as the freedom of speech be abrogated by the actions of the Trump administration or other branches of government, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and non-profits with adjacent goals would be essentially neutered and/or dissolved;
  • While the chapter has become more diverse in racial and ethnic demographics, a secondary effect of engaging in migrant rights works presents the opportunity for working class BIPOC individuals to join the chapter and gain favor with a base that has been failed by established institutions with power such as the Democratic Party.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

  • Salt Lake DSA will prioritize short and long term goals, actions, and campaigns centered around migrant rights such as but not limited to:
    • Rapid response networks
    • Deportation defense
    • Educational “Know Your Rights” sessions
    • Sanctuary union and sanctuary city policies
    • Abolition of ICE presence and its utilization of local government resources
  • Salt Lake DSA will create a campaign page for the Migrant Rights Working Group (MRWG) in order to highlight our position, strategy, and goals.
  • The MRWG will facilitate an effort with the Communications and Steering Committee (SC) to present our position, strategy and goals to be completed and ready for publication by 15 August 2025.
  • Should the campaign resolution to de-ICE West Valley City pass, or any similar resolution, the MRWG will present materials on our strategic targets for collaboration, and brief the chapter on how this advances our broader movement.
  • The SC will collaborate with all working groups (WGs) to identify constituencies in the area which are important leaders on the issues which we are pursuing as a chapter. Then, SC would identify ways in which freedom of speech as a political issue is sharpening the class contradictions for those groups which we want to organize with.
  • Once the constituencies are identified, all WGs in the chapter will try to bolster those efforts, educating their active members on the ways the WG plans to incorporate the freedom of speech issue more directly into the struggle. Additionally, all WGs will look out for opportunities to intersect multiple constituencies and WGs on the issue, facilitated organizationally through Salt Lake DSA. 
  • Therefore, the Steering Committee or Political Education Working Group (PEWG) will host several Socialist Night School (SNS) events or discussion forums on freedom of speech, the importance of it, how we struggle for it, and ways we can defend it.
  • Salt Lake DSA will culminate this solidarity and political orientation in the genuine interest of building a coalition centered around the defense of freedom of speech.
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