At 11, I Advocated for My Dad; Now I Advocate for All Immigrants
By Jennefer Canales-Pelaez, Texas Policy Attorney & Strategist
At 11 years old, I walked up the White House path with sweaty palms and a pounding heart, clenching a yellow envelope and hope close to me. Although the purpose of my school’s visit to meet with then First Lady Laura Bush was educational, I was determined to seize the opportunity to advocate in support of a beloved community member facing deportation — my father. The stars aligned that day as my peers chose me to present Mrs. Bush with a gift on behalf of our school. I also handed her the yellow envelope which held my father’s name and case information. I pleaded for her to see my father’s humanity and my unwavering hope to keep my family together after years of separation. I implored the First Lady to share my father’s name, his story, and my family’s love for him with her husband to see if anything could be done to help my dad.
That was the first time I went to Washington to advocate for people affected by our deeply flawed immigration system. My second visit came in November, this time as a 32-year-old Policy Attorney & Strategist with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) where I was joined by my team, partner organizations and impacted community members. Our goal was to denounce Operation Lone Star (OLS), a racist and unconstitutional enforcement operation devised by Texas Governor Gregg Abbott that targets Black and Brown migrants for arrest, jail, and deportation. We held a news conference, advocated with Congressional representatives to join us in defeating this scheme, and continued to demand the Biden Administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) #cuttheties with OLS.
Since its inception in March 2021, over 6,000 migrants and people of color have been apprehended and charged with “trespassing” even with mounting evidence that Texas law enforcement agencies are fabricating these charges. Despite a Texas District Judge ruling OLS unconstitutional, the discriminatory arrest practices continue as migrants are placed in state prisons and deprived of due process.
I thought about my visit to the White House 21 years ago when I led a group of seven in our first meeting with staff members for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Our group consisted of two impacted individuals (one who was a part of the Segovia 11), two individuals whose family members survived the Japanese detention camps, and three advocates, including myself.
We asked the staff members what they knew about OLS and one replied that is was “something happening at the border to fight drug trafficking.” I then began educating the staff about this racist operation, how taxpayer dollars are funding it as Texans continue to suffer from a lack of healthcare, education, a reliable power grid and affordable housing.
What was most powerful were the testimonies and expertise about OLS from our group. Melvin, one of the Segovia 11, detailed the human rights violations he endured and witnessed while detained in Segovia under OLS. Priscilla, a border town resident, shared how she has seen her community shattered by the increased militarization of the Texas border. Monti spoke about the collusion between Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS). Weaving our stories and voices together, our group successfully completed our mission to uplift the lives of those who have endured atrocities caused by OLS and to demand an immediate end to this illicit scheme.
As we walked out of the building one of the staffers called me and said Rep. Jackson Lee wanted to meet with us later that day! Before our meeting started, I encouraged Melvin to share his story and let the Congresswoman hear about everything he endured and witnessed. I assured Melvin that if anyone can do something, it was the Congresswoman as she is a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee.
During our conversation, Rep. Jackson Lee heard Melvin detail the abuses he survived and the torture he saw his fellow detainees endure. Melvin bravely worked through his pain as he was speaking and shared that the food they were served was rotten and that they were treated worse than animals. Melvin also stated that in order to not lose his humanity, he sang out loud to his companions every night he was detained.
As a former direct service attorney who represented children and adults seeking asylum, I was trained never to let my clients see me cry since the process is not about me. I had to be strong while my clients shared their stories of pain and survival. However, all that training faded when Melvin and Priscilla shared their stories and I allowed myself to cry. Rep. Jackson Lee saw the impact OLS has had on every Texan, so when she is advocating for us she remembers our faces and our stories.
OLS affects all migrants and people of color who are systematically targeted and treated as disposable humans because they had the courage to seek refuge and a better life. OLS is not protecting Texans. It’s hurting us. But OLS should not be seen as just a Texas problem. This program is meant to be replicated and repeated. It sets a dangerous precedent that will enable and embolden others to do the same.
Rep. Jackson Lee promised to follow up with us on how we can help end OLS. I hope more of her colleagues will take the time to listen to their constituents who have been severely harmed by anti-immigrant policies and laws. President Biden and his administration has two more years to make good on campaign promises and we demand they do more on behalf of all immigrants. Cutting off all federal funds to OLS would be a great way to kick off 2023.
