Immigration court doesn't guarantee a lawyer – but we can.

Friend –

Children in handcuffs. Federal agents shooting people in our streets. Inhumane abuse in government custody. Immigrant families facing the United States legal system alone. These are the horrific scenes we've witnessed in Minneapolis and across the country for months – and they're the reason we cannot afford inaction. If you're asking yourself what you can do at this moment, here is one concrete way to act:

Take action today by supporting the Defending Our Neighbors Fund – a historic initiative funding the on-the-ground organizations that directly provide legal services for immigrant families. <[link removed] > (Please note: this link takes you to a third-party website, defendingourneighbors.org)

What is unfolding in Minneapolis is not an isolated incident: For months now, communities across the country have been terrorized by federal agents during abusive immigration raids and deportations without due process.

That's why this initiative is so important. The Defending Our Neighbors Fund responds to these attacks head-on to protect our immigrant neighbors and loved ones. We know people facing deportation who have a lawyer are more likely to stay with their families than those who don't. Yet in immigration court, there is no guaranteed right to counsel. Nearly 60% of people facing deportation are forced to represent themselves. Even children can be required to appear in court alone.

With your support, the Defending Our Neighbors Fund...

* Ensures that experienced, trusted organizations have the resources to show up for families facing detention and deportation right now – in Minnesota and across the country

* Supports nonprofit bail funds, including the Midwest Immigration Bond Fund and the Prairielands Freedom Fund, so our immigrant neighbors eligible for release can be reunited with their families and communities

* Has already sent more than $13 million to legal service providers nationwide since its launch, connecting countless families with legal representation

As President Trump's crackdown intensifies, the need is even more urgent. Please, help guarantee that immigrant families have the legal support they need by donating to the Defending Our Neighbors Fund today. <[link removed] > (Please note: this link takes you to a third-party website, defendingourneighbors.org)

The Fund won't fix a cruel and broken immigration system on its own. But it does something critical: It gives families a fighting chance and tells them they're not alone.

For more on the Defending Our Neighbors Fund, and to learn how you can support access to legal representation today, check out this new blog. <[link removed]> (Please note: this link takes you to a third-party website, defendingourneighbors.org)

In solidarity,

The ACLU Team

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