This piece is part of Rebel Well: a Starter Survival Guide to a Trumped America for Teens and Emerging Adults.
FOR THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
During the first Trump Administration, the president signed a series of executive orders targeting Muslims and refugees, and we can expect more of the same. Meanwhile, many members of the Jewish community are facing a rise in antisemitic harassment. And there’s an increase in “Christian nationalism,” a rightwing extremist movement that believes the United States should be a Christian (and white) nation with laws to reflect their religious ideology. These threats come from a place of hatred, and the civil rights and social justice communities are already hard at work fighting them via every possible avenue.
Set up a plan for what to do if you need to go underground — hopefully you won’t ever need it, but it will help you locate resources and genuine supporters in the community even if you only wind up using them for emotional or other less dire support. Start looking now for interfaith groupsexternal link, opens in a new tab, which often have a strong social justice bent, and get involved with their work, building support along the way.
Find your people: Whether you live in a big city or a small town, find your people, starting with the local synagogue, mosque, temple, meeting, or other religious gathering. If there isn’t a youth or young adult group, start one. If there is, join it. If it’s bad, make it better. Your faith community may also offer smaller, more dedicated groups for people of all ages talking about various issues that can provide you with more intimacy. Develop networks in your community so you have backup if you have problems at home or at school. If you have a small or unsupportive faith community, online groups can provide a space for talking about issues of importance and seeking help, including space for those who are thinking about leaving the faith.
National advocacy groups such as the Council on Islamic-American Relationsexternal link, opens in a new tab, Bend the Arcexternal link, opens in a new tab, IfNotNowexternal link, opens in a new tab, Sikhs for Justiceexternal link, opens in a new tab, Hindu American Foundationexternal link, opens in a new tab, Friends Committeeexternal link, opens in a new tab, and more are committed to tracking and acting on hateful acts, while the Southern Poverty Law Centerexternal link, opens in a new tab and American Civil Liberties Unionexternal link, opens in a new tab are interested in your civil rights as a person of faith. Both state and federal law include a range of faith-related provisions that specifically outlaw against discrimination in housing, employment, education, and more. These laws are unlikely to face repeal in the near future, but it is also important to be aware that they are more likely to be used to protect evangelical Christians than people of other Christian sects or religious faiths.
Look out for each other. If you see attacks on people who belong to a faith different than yours — or any faith, for atheists, agnostics, and others who don’t follow religious traditions — speak up. Be especially alert for dogwhistles. Dogwhistles are hateful speech wrapped up in coded turns of phrase that not everyone immediately recognizes, but still reinforce stereotypes. For example, people may make comments characterizing Muslims as terrorists, or suggesting that all terrorists are Muslim. Likewise, you may hear comments about Jewish people “controlling the banks” (or Hollywood), referring to conspiracy theories about a secret and powerful collective of Jewish people (who, to be clear, do not exist).
FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNDOCUMENTED CITIZENS
With aggressive crackdowns on immigration promised by the administration and some states, undocumented people risk government action and harassment from people emboldened by institutionalized racism; we are already seeing government agencies engaging in kidnapping and human trafficking of immigrants in several states in express violation of the law, with several legal cases challenging these illegal and inhumane removals. We know this is a scary time and also a rapidly-changing one made chaotic by a fast-moving administration and conflict in the courts.
If you have protected status under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivalsexternal link, opens in a new tab: Talk to an immigration attorney or resource group RIGHT NOW about how to handle the situation. You may lose legal protections, and your presence on the DACA list could make you a target. If you have not filed for DACA, immigrant rights groups are advising against doing so now.
Develop a safety plan now: Find three local and trustworthy people to stay with, and keep their contact information with you at all times. Have a getaway bag that includes basic necessities for several days along with all of your most important documents, along with readily available cash for emergencies.
Connect with local agencies and organizations that are available to help you, also in advance — keep their numbers handy and if you have a relationship with a staffer there, list that person’s name as your advocate if you have an encounter with law enforcement. This can include churches, some of which are offering sanctuary for immigrants. In the long term, these groups can help you explore options for protecting your immigration status. The Immigration Advocates Network maintains a nationwide database of legal aid options for immigrantsexternal link, opens in a new tab.
You may be entitled to special immigration protections if you are the victim of a crime. This includes cases where people are engaged in illegal practices and threatening you with deportation in an attempt to silence you. This is known as a U Visa, and you can find current information on U Visasexternal link, opens in a new tab and other humanitarian visa programs such as Temporary Protected Statusexternal link, opens in a new tab for immigrants from certain nations via US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
If you have to cross the border, take care. We are seeing some reports of immigrants challenged, detained, and questioned at the border, regardless of their visa status, and you may face a situation where you are unable to re-enter the United States after leaving. You may want to consider locking down your phoneexternal link, opens in a new tab, laptop, and other gear when crossing the border and should definitely have a plan for what you will do if a device is seized. (For example, keep phone numbers written down!)
all of rebel well: front page • why we made this guide • for everyone • healthcare • relationships & sex • conflict resolution • for those suffering harassment online, at school or at work • for those in abusive/controlling relationships, or who are homeless, transient or in the foster system • for those who are trans or LGBQ • for those who are of color • for those who experience religious intolerance or who are undocumented citizens • for those who are disabled • for those interacting with the justice system • for those engaging in active protest • when everything seems terrible or nowhere feels safe • how to help each other & improve this godawful mess • resources and helplines
