Defending Our Communities
COSPU's Fight Against Family Separation
Defending Our Communities:
COSPU's Fight Against Family Separation
At COSPU, we are committed to protecting the dignity, rights, and safety of immigrant families in the face of aggressive immigration policies. Under the Trump administration, we have witnessed an increase in ICE raids, unjust deportations, and family separations that have terrorized our communities. COSPU stands firmly against these inhumane policies and works tirelessly to provide resources, advocacy, and direct support to those affected.
How Are We Fighting Back?
Emergency Response Plan
We are developing an Emergency Response Plan in collaboration with community members and partners to help families prepare for potential ICE enforcement actions.
Our plan includes:
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Free Immigration Clinics: Legal assistance and consultations for at-risk individuals.
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Know Your Rights Forums: Educational sessions to inform community members of their legal protections.
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Document Preparation Assistance: Guidance on preparing Power of Attorney, guardianship instructions, and other essential documents to protect families from separation.
Protecting Our Communities from ICE Terror
ICE’s enforcement tactics are designed to instill fear, but COSPU is dedicated to resisting these oppressive measures through:
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Community Defense Training: Workshops on responding to ICE raids and protecting vulnerable neighbors.
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Legal and Emotional Support: Connecting families with legal counsel and mental health resources.
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Rapid Response Network: Mobilizing allies and volunteers to provide immediate assistance during ICE operations.
Advocating for Systemic Change
Beyond direct support, we are actively engaged in policy advocacy. COSPU collaborates with community leaders, elected officials, and government agencies to fight for fair and humane immigration policies. Our goal is to:
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Educate policymakers on the devastating impacts of family separation.
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Push for local policies that limit ICE’s reach within our communities.
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Empower immigrant voices in decision-making spaces.
Stand With Us
COSPU is a grassroots organization dedicated to the principles of equality, human rights, and justice. We will not stand by while our neighbors are targeted, families are torn apart, and racism and bigotry continue to threaten our community. We urge allies, organizations, and community members to join us in this fight.
How You Can Help:
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Volunteer with our emergency response team.
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Donate to support our legal aid and advocacy work.
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Attend a Know Your Rights forum and spread awareness.
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Contact your elected officials and demand policies that protect immigrant families.
Together, we will defend our communities, resist injustice, and fight for a future where all families can live without fear.
COMMUNITY RESEARCH & ACCOUNTABILITY
Immigration Enforcement in Our Community
Research, Transparency & Community Accountability
At COSPU, our advocacy is grounded in immigrant families' lived experiences and supported by research, community engagement, and public accountability.
Our Virginia Immigration Enforcement Report analyzes government records to better understand the scope and patterns of immigration enforcement across the Commonwealth, particularly in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, and surrounding Shenandoah Valley communities.
The report explores enforcement trends, geographic concentrations, detention-related records, demographic information, and classifications used by immigration authorities. It also examines what these records reveal—and what they cannot tell us—about the individuals and families affected.
We believe communities deserve access to the information necessary to ask difficult questions, evaluate government practices, and advocate for greater transparency and accountability. For that reason, COSPU is making its research findings and underlying source data available for public review.
Knowledge strengthens advocacy. Transparency makes accountability possible.