Restore Fairness

“Restore Fairness” produced by Breakthrough in association with 26 leading organizations, calls for the U.S. government to bring back due process and fairness to the immigration system. The video features the powerful voices of Congresswomen Zoe Lofgren and Lucille Roybal-Allard, Judges Dana Marks, Bruce Einhorn, civil society leaders Anthony Romero, Donald Kerwin, Karen Narasaki and Mallika Dutt as well as three very compelling personal stories with Jean-Pierre Kamwa, an asylum seeker from Cameroon, June Everett who lost her sister to immigration detention, and Walter Chavez and Ana Galindo, legal permanent residents who were victims of a warrantless home raid. Watch this story and take action to ensure that the U.S. government restores due process and fairness to our immigration system.

Live From Jail

Breakthrough was given rare access behind the walls of an immigrant detention center and met several long time residents who face exile from the U.S. As one named Monica says, “I see when I’ve gone to court… the judge, he seems like he wants to rule in my favor but he can’t because his hands are tied.” Watch their stories and take action to ensure that the U.S. government restores the ability of judges to consider individual circumstances so everyone receives a fair day in court.

Sandra Kenley: Death by Detention

Sandra Kenley, a 52-year-old grandmother, who after living in the U.S. legally for 33 years, was subjected to degrading and grossly inhumane conditions, which led to her untimely death. Her sister June Everett says, “Sandy died trying to do the right thing.  She died because the American system failed her, a system we believed in, a system that needs fixing now.” Watch June tell her sister’s story and take action to ensure that the U.S. government creates legally enforceable detention standards and implements cost effective alternatives to detention.

Betsy DeWitt Acquista: Tearing a Family Apart

Betsy, a U.S. citizen, fell in love with a long-time legal resident from Italy and they started a family.  When her husband was put in immigrant detention, she didn’t realize that soon her life would be turned upside down and he’d be deported back to Italy. Reflecting on her experience, she says “When these laws were initially passed back in 1996 they were passed to protect people… yet the people that are being deported are fathers and mothers.” Watch Betsy’s story and take action to ensure that the U.S. government restores the ability of judges to consider individual circumstances so everyone receives a fair day in court.

Anselm Ifill: Army Man Ordered Deported

Anslem Ifill lived in the U.S. for 25 years—it is his home. So much so that he put his own life at risk to serve the country for eight years with the Army.  Because of this ultimate sacrifice, he can’t believe the unimaginable will happen. He asks, “How can you deport individuals who risk their lives for the very beliefs and freedoms of this country?” Watch Anselm’s story and take action to ensure that the U.S. government restores the ability of judges to consider individual circumstances so everyone receives a fair day in court.

A Surprise Visit

Sarah (name changed) is a legal permanent resident who came to the U.S. when she was 7. At the age of 29, with two young citizen children in her care, she was shocked to hear that she would be exiled for life while her family would be in the states forever.  She says about her case, “I just felt like I was in the twilight zone, this is a bad, bad dream and something has to change.” Watch Sarah’s story and take action to ensure that the U.S. government restores the ability of judges to consider individual circumstances so everyone receives a fair day in court.