Washington, D.C. – All across the country, the lives of Black and brown immigrants are being threatened by a rise in hateful and violent anti-immigrant disinformation. In recent weeks especially, the outrageous anti-Black lies that have maliciously repeated about Haitian migrants have led to numerous bomb threats and disruption of life for every community in Springfield, Ohio.
Immigrant youth at United We Dream reject this violent rhetoric at every turn and refuse to allow anti-immigrant extremists spread disinformation about our communities with impunity. In collaboration with Arizona Center for Empowerment (ACE), Voces de la Frontera, and the Haitian Bridge Alliance, United We Dream launched over 35 billboards across five major states where our communities call home to proudly declare: “Immigrants are Welcome Here!” The billboards were unveiled in Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin and Ohio and can be found in both English and Spanish.
To view the billboards, please visit this link. All credit to United We Dream.
Anabel Mendoza, Director of Communications at United We Dream:
“From Texas to Arizona to Ohio, our communities have seen a rise in violent anti-immigrant disinformation that has resulted in threats, violence and deadly policies that put a target on the backs of anyone and everyone who is undocumented. It’s simple: words can either harm or heal. Anti-immigrant disinformation in this country has emboldened vigilante attacks, from the tragic and preventable El Paso massacre five years ago to the Buffalo shooting two years ago and now the recent bomb threats against Haitian communities in Ohio.
Immigrant youth refuse to be bystanders when our communities’ lives are at stake. These billboards are a bold and unapologetic declaration of immigrants’ humanity and a reminder that we have the power to uplift and care for one another, to protect and welcome immigrants, and to reject this hate, regardless of our status.”
Guerline Jozef, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Haitian Bridge Alliance, said:
“The vile anti-Black and anti-immigrant rhetoric aimed at our communities has created dangerous threats to the livelihood of the people in Springfield, Ohio, and across the country. These attacks have encouraged many to call for the deportation of Haitian immigrants and other forms of violence, including bomb threats that have led to schools, public gatherings, and city hall shutting down.
We must look inward and come together and reject this hatred at every turn. Haitian immigrants in Springfield are part of the fabric of this city. We refuse to allow this dehumanizing and violent rhetoric against our communities to become commonplace. Together with United We Dream, we launched these billboards in Ohio to demonstrate what those in Springfield truly believe, from the business community to educational leaders to community members alike – immigrants are welcome here.”
These billboards represent more than just words; they are a public declaration that immigrants are welcome here and essential to Arizona today and to our collective futures. Together, we will continue to uplift the truth, reject hate, and create a state where every individual, regardless of immigration status can thrive.”
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director at Voces de la Frontera:
“We unequivocally condemn the escalation of right-wing rhetoric and violence directed against Haitian immigrants of color that seeks to sow division and hostility among us.
Just like in Springfield, Ohio, harmful lies are also being weaponized in Wisconsin against immigrants to spread harmful misinformation, justify voter suppression tactics, and incite racial profiling and violence.
From our dynamic urban centers to our hardworking rural communities, Wisconsinites know that immigrants are decent, hardworking, and respectful people who come to our state seeking a better life. Their presence enriches our economy, culture, and the prosperity of our communities.
These billboards, a collaboration with United We Dream, are a public message that we will not remain silent against violent and white supremacist rhetoric. We stand united and proud to say: Immigrants are here to stay.”
Cesar Fierros, Director of Communications, Arizona Center for Empowerment:
“Across Arizona and the nation, immigrant communities face relentless attacks from disinformation campaigns fueled by fear and hate. These harmful narratives not only target immigrants but seek to divide communities and undermine the values of inclusion, equality, and unity that we strive to uphold everyday at the Arizona Center for Empowerment. Recent legislation like Prop 314 and echoes of past laws such as SB1070 remind us of the ongoing fight for justice, as harmful rhetoric targeting immigrants continues to rise, often leading to policies that threaten the very fabric of our communities.
At ACE, we stand with all immigrant families, advocating for their dignity, humanity, and the rights that they deserve as vital members of our state. The escalation of anti-immigrant disinformation has no place in our communities. From discriminatory laws to violent rhetoric, we are witnessing how disinformation can shape policies that devastate families, disrupt lives, and harm the social and economic fabric of our state and of the nation.
These billboards represent more than just words; they are a public declaration that immigrants are welcome here and essential to Arizona today and to our collective futures. Together, we will continue to uplift the truth, reject hate, and create a state where every individual, regardless of immigration status can thrive.”
