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CCJ stands against efforts to remove DACA* protections and endanger 800,000 young adults and their families.

Posted Aug 29, 2017, by Veronica Coptis


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The Center for Coalfield Justice works daily to improve people’s quality of life and keep our families safe and healthy from outside fossil fuel corporations who are exploiting resources and people for private profit. We push against their power towards a healthier environment and a thriving economy where our children will have the best opportunity to succeed. Every parent and community hopes that their children will not face adversity and will have a clear path to grow and thrive into adults — but unfortunately, that is not the case for many children in our communities and across the world.

In threatening to repeal DACA, President Trump is putting over 800,000 brave young adults — young people who are working or going to school, living their lives, and contributing to our country — at risk of deportation. Many of these young people came to the US with parents who, for the sake of their children, fled war torn communities, areas in economic collapse, or places with unsafe environmental conditions. This is their home.  

CCJ members know what it is like when a coal company destroys our home and we are forced to leave.  Such a situation is a tragedy and an injustice for CCJ members, but it doesn’t carry the same threat of displacement into places of political violence and other risks as for our immigrant friends.

The Center for Coalfield Justice stands in solidarity with the immigrant community in supporting the continuation of DACA to ensure that all young people are safe, connected to their families, and have the best opportunity to succeed in their lives.

Call your congressperson today to show your support for DACA.

*DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It is a program created through an executive order by President Obama in June of 2012, to give temporary, renewable, relief from deportation and work authorization to young people who meet certain eligibility criteria.

Author

  • Veronica Coptis

    Veronica Coptis joined the CCJ staff in March 2013 as a Community Organizer and is now serving as the Executive Director. She grew up in western Greene County near the Bailey Mine Complex and currently lives in the eastern part of the county. Before joining the CCJ staff, Veronica served on the Board of Directors for CCJ and organized with Mountain Watershed Association. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology from West Virginia University. She enjoys hiking and geocaching at Ryerson State Park and other areas around Greene County with her husband and daughters. Read more about Veronica in a New Yorker Magazine profile at https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/07/03/the-future-of-coal-country. Contact Veronica at veronica@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.

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