Panelists plead for immigrants’ rights
Educate local officials about human rights, speakers at forum urge
A forum designed to address immigrant rights in Pittsburgh carried a simple message: Treat immigration rights as a human rights issue.
The gathering on Monday night at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Downtown, drew about 40 people. Organizers said they believe educating city and county officials on issues that affect immigrants is key to that effort.
Jackie Smith, representing the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance, said one of its goals is to help make residents aware of their rights.
Ms. Smith, a University of Pittsburgh sociology professor, referred to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. One of the articles of that document, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, states “everyone has the right to life and
to live in freedom and safety.”
“You don’t forfeit your rights when you cross a border,” said Ms. Smith, whose shirt read “Build Bridges, Not Walls.”
Pittsburgh is contributing to a report to the U. N. on human rights in the United States. Denver, Colo., Providence, R. I., and Washington, D. C., are among the other cities joining the Universal Periodic Review cities project. The human rights record of the United States currently is under review by the U. N., Ms. Smith said.
Representatives of Just Harvest, Casa San Jose and the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition also were part of the panel. Criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies emerged as a common thread among panelists.
“Immigrants pay more into the system than they will ever receive,” said Helen Gerhardt, an organizer for Just Harvest.
Laura Perkins, emergency response organizer for Casa San Jose, said 43% of immigration judges have been appointed by President Donald Trump. On a vocational and housing level, immigrants often must deal with bosses and landlords who take advantage of them.
Kim Dinh, a Vietnamese immigrant who spoke on behalf of the immigration and citizenship coalition, said it is important that the people of Pittsburgh provide input on the immigration issue.
When the panel finished, those in attendance broke into groups to discuss specific issues on the local level. Among them were human rights concerns experienced in the region and prioritizing potential improvements for migrants and refugees.