Climate justice = migrant justice
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Paov,
I’m writing to forward an email from our friend Syed Hussan — executive director at Migrant Workers Alliance for Change and a member of Migrant Rights Network — who has an urgent message about the closure of Roxham Road and the extension of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA).
Our struggle for climate justice is deeply connected to the struggle for migrant justice. Wildfires, floods, drought and other climate disasters are forcing more and more people to leave their home countries. We cannot let fear and hate guide how we respond when those who’ve done the least to cause this crisis need our help.
But with the expanded STCA, both the US and Canada have legislated a policy of turning away migrants. Now is the moment for all of us in the movement for climate justice to speak up. So please take a few minutes to read Hussan’s email and add your name to the petition being delivered tomorrow for Refugee Rights Day.
In solidarity,
Chris
Dear allies,
Eight migrant... bodies were pulled out of the St. Lawrence last week, two of them infants. I feel devastated even though I have been expecting the deaths since the federal government announced the extension of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) and the closing of Roxham Road, an unofficial port of entry that has been the only hope for thousands of migrants over the years.1
This last week was already a week of heartbreak as stunned migrants, who have left everything behind, were turned back to the US when they arrived at the Canadian border. Many have nowhere to go back to. They face discrimination, imprisonment and violence at the hands of the US’s torturous immigration system.2
In his announcement of the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), Prime Minister Trueau spoke of “keeping people safe."3 The truth is, migrants, including refugees, are being forced to use even more treacherous roads to avoid detection as anyone caught in Canada can be turned back without due process for the first 14 days.
But I had hoped that the deaths would not start so soon.
On Tuesday, April 4, Refugee Rights Day, a group of us will deliver thousands of petition signatures to the Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendocino in Toronto, condemning the closure of Roxham Road through the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement — a law that, contrary to its name, does nothing to keep refugees and migrants safe, a decision that is already killing us. Will you sign the petition and help demonstrate massive public opposition to the legislated refusal of asylum seekers, and call for the end of the Safe Third Country Agreement to ensure safety for migrants?
Migrants are forced to move because of economic uncertainty, persecution, war and violence often caused by climate degradation. Others are escaping floods and wildfires.4,5 Many of us are racialized and low-waged people. Migrants need more safe and dignified ways to move, or to stay in our communities, not less.
In expanding the STCA, Prime Minister Trudeau wants to shut out racialized migrants and refugees, leaving them on the US side of the border, hoping that they are out of sight, and out of mind for most Canadians. We will not allow this to happen.
The eight people who died last week were leaving Canada for the US, probably because like hundreds of thousands of migrants they don’t have access to equal rights here. We must call for permanent resident status for all migrants in the country so that no one else is forced to put their lives in danger.
Whether we move to escape climate impacts or to build a different life, we are simply seeking safety and dignity. Our fight is to live, and for equality. Migrant justice is climate, racial and economic justice.
I hope you’ll speak up and take action with us against the deadly expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement and for justice and dignity for all. Sign the petition now and join our movement.
With gratitude,
Hussan on behalf of the Migrant Rights Network
Sources:
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