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#D9immigrants: Black Fraternity/Sorority Members Speak Out in Response to Trump’s Immigration Policy

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Published in 2017

In response to the Supreme Court allowing parts of President Donald Trump’s travel ban to go into effect, we at Watch The Yard have relaunched the #D9immigrants campaign that we started earlier this year after the initial ban went into effect.

On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed parts of what many are calling the “Muslim Ban” that was created by Trump earlier this year to go into effect. The travel ban, now blocks citizens of six majority-Muslim countries from entering the US in what Trump is calling “a clear victory for our national security.”

“As President, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm,” Trump stated. “I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive.”

In response to this administration’s discriminatory policies toward immigrants and refugees, we at Watch The Yard started the #D9Immigrants campaign as a way to put a critical a spotlight on how the Trump administration is currently treating immigrants. We encouraged our audience to send us their immigration stories and received an amazing outpour of powerful responses from members from across the country.

Read their stories. Share in solidarity.  Immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants #WatchTheYard

"My sister and I, both Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are first generation Somali-Americans whose parents immigrated to the US seeking opportunity and a better life for their children. We are all too familiar with islamophobia and xenophobia growing up in post-9/11 America and navigating the election of Donald Trump. Proud of being both Black and Muslim we stand strong against campaigns of hate and thank you for joining us in solidarity." – @farah_og @iamasleeey (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"My parents immigrated to the United States to give my family opportunities that we couldn’t have had if we grew up in Senegal. Like so many people that I know, the sacrificies that my parents have made have paved the way for so many of us to resist bigotry and hate in all of its many hidden forms. I am a Black Muslim woman, an Ivy League graduate, and a proud woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Watch The Yard your support truly doesn’t go unnoticed. We stand together." – @Yamajoee (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"My family immigrated from Guinea 14 years ago. My parents gave up their lives & careers to give my siblings & I a chance at a better of life in a country they were unfamiliar w/ culturally & socially. Putting us through school while working jobs they didnt want to have, but they pushed through them. They've sacrificed so much for my siblings & I. Through all this they have taught me the importance of determination, the value of education & persistance. Today, I stand as a First generation COLLEGE GRAD, a proud MUSLIM, and a woman of DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC. Thank you so much for your support." – @she_so_aissy (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"Being Mexican in this country isn't easy. My parents have raised me to see above the hate and to embrace my culture because you can't control how others feel you can simply control how they make you feel. And I've chosen to live care free and full of 🌮 tacos. This picture is to show Mexicans aren't just criminals we are people who work hard and graduate college. I did it for my parents who crossed the border so I could live a better life." – @Goldenigniter1(@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants) #SigmaGammaRho

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"My mom left my old sister and I in Jamaica when I was 3 months old. She was originally supposed to be in America for three months but overstayed her visa. The next time I saw my mom I was 12 years old. People often ask me if I was angry that she left me at such a young age for such a long time but I knew that it was just as hard for her as it was for me. I graduated valedictorian of my high school and I am a first generation college graduate. I aim to be successful in everything that I do to show her that her struggles were not in vain." – @Latoya_amoya (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"I'm a first generation US citizen born to a Sudanese Muslim mother. My mother who was raised in Egypt and Libya (another banned nation) did not have access to equal opportunities because her Sudanese passport. She immigrated to the States when she was 21. Today I thank her and my family for their sacrifices in immigrating to a new country, learning the language and providing me with access to endless opportunities. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc." – @Dr_sunshine_smiles(@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"At the age of 15, my mom and I left our home country of Jamaica in pursuit of a better life. My mother has been working tirelessly with no days off to make ends meet. It's because of the sacrifices that she has been making( and that of our family back home) that allows me to be where I am today. I received my college degree as a first generation Ivy League graduate and my citizenship in 2016 by God's grace. I know where I come from and I'm proud to be an immigrant woman✊🏾" – @shay61093 (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"The daughter of two Haitian immigrants, my parents came to America over 20 years ago for more opportunity and a better life. Growing up in a Haitian household I learned the true meaning of hard work and dedication. I am a first generation college student and first generation greek. No one should be shamed for who they are. I am proud of my language. I am proud of my culture. I am proud to be a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. And I am proud to be a Haitian American." – @cadetshai (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"I was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated with my family to the United States when I was five years old. The sacrifices my parents have made to get me to where I am today are innumerable. In May 2018 I will be the first in my family to graduate college, specifically from the #1 liberal arts college in the south, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies. I am the example for my 14 year old brother and 8 year old nephew, and I owe that all to my parents." -@Rosalia___ (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"In 1968, my great grandmother came to this country from Peru. She came alone on a visa to visit but her plan was to stay in the United States to escape terrorism and poverty. She was in this country illegally for 18 years but during that time she worked three jobs (still payed taxes) and saved enough money to bring my mother, grandmother and two aunts to this country. This post is to show immigrants come to this country with dreams to escape the terrible conditions in their country." – @buenonobueno_ (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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"My parents moved here from the Democratic Republic of Congo to study in America but remained once war and political instability broke out. After a looong application process in which my siblings and I were born, they finally received their American citizenship. As a child, this was a story I was very reluctant to tell; that my parents weren't citizens. But over time I grew not only to accept it, but to celebrate it. When I graduated from Dartmouth College, I opted to wear the Abacost, a suit designed after Congolese independence specifically created to symbolize a break from our colonial past. And walking down that stage seeing the tears in my parents eyes was the proudest moment of my life." – @jon.tre.3 (@WatchTheYard is doing a project to highlight D9 immigrants/ refugees and put a critical a spotlight on how the US is currently treating immigrants. The purpose of this is to highlight that immigrants are OUR brothers and sisters. #D9Immigrants)

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Share this on Facebook if you stand in solidarity with immigrants and refugees.

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