Terra Firma National

Last week, TFN made history with our first-ever virtual conference! Together, we built connections across TF programs, shared best practices for Medical-Legal Partnerships, and strengthened our national network. Our ice-breaker word cloud says it all: Dedication. Compassion. Collaboration. Thank you to everyone who joined us in learning, connecting, and standing stronger together for the immigrant communities we serve. #TerraFirmaNational #StrongerTogether #MLP #Advocacy #Community

Our co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Alan Shapiro, spoke to The Associated Press about the devastating impact of family detention on immigrant children. Under the first Trump administration, Dr. Shapiro visited family detention centers and noted that “detained children experienced behavioral regression, anger and thoughts of self-harm.” He says, "We also heard about suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts from children in the facility themselves and other significant mental health concerns, including self-harm and eating disorders that were not present prior to detention.” Detaining children is inhumane and harmful. We must fight for policies that protect immigrant youth, not policies that retraumatize them. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/grKeGeAz #EndFamilyDetention #ProtectImmigrantChildren #ImmigrantRights #TerraFirmaNational

Recently, the government froze legal services for unaccompanied children. Thanks to supporters raising their voices, the decision was quickly reversed, but we fear the administration could still try to cut funding for the program—permanently. ??This would force thousands of children, some too young to read or write, to represent themselves alone in court before an immigration judge and against a trained government lawyer. Contact your members of Congress and demand that they take action to defend this life-saving program ?? https://buff.ly/WVtNclG #ProtectKids #EqualJusticeisImmigrantJustice #LegalAccess #NoHumanIsIllegal

Imagine a world where immigrant women and girls have full access to healthcare and legal support—where their voices are heard and their rights are protected. At Terra Firma National, we’re working to make this a reality. We stand with immigrant women, ensuring they get the care and justice they deserve. This #IWD2025, we join the call to #AccelerateAction for gender equality—because every woman deserves a future of health, dignity, and opportunity. #InternationalWomensDay #HealthJustice #ImmigrantRights #GenderEquality

?? TAKE ACTION Wed 3/5! ?? Our communities are under attack, but we have the power to fight back. Here’s how you can help: Contact your representatives and make your voice heard! ?? Text “NYIC” to 52886 or visit https://buff.ly/AXjZKas Together, we can protect essential services, stand up for immigrant rights, and ensure justice for all. Let’s show our leaders that we’re paying attention and demand action! ?? Contact your reps TODAY and stand up for our communities! #NoOnHR32 #NYForAll #ICEOutNYC #ProtectOurCommunities #ImmigrantRights

As Black History Month comes to a close, we uplift the voices of Black immigrants who have shaped movements for justice and equity. At Terra Firma National, we recognize the unique challenges Black immigrant youth face—from racism to immigration barriers—and we remain committed to ensuring access to healthcare, legal aid, and community support. Equity in immigration means fighting for ALL immigrant youth. We stand in solidarity with Black immigrant communities today and every day. #BlackHistoryMonth #HealthJustice #ImmigrantRights #TerraFirmaNational #NoHumainisIllegal

Immigration enforcement in health care settings is a form of discrimination. When fear of deportation keeps people from seeking medical care, it creates dangerous barriers to health and deepens disparities. Health care institutions have an ethical responsibility to protect patients and provide equitable care—no matter their immigration status. Terra Firma National is working with partners to develop policies that guide health centers in responding to immigration enforcement and safeguarding patient rights. Read more from Health Affairs: https://buff.ly/43fBzGj #HealthCareNotBorderControl #ProtectPatients #ImmigrantHealth #HealthJustice

We welcome the news that legal representation services for unaccompanied children have resumed! Thank you to everyone who reached out to Congress, who received over 15,000 letters in less than 48 hours. Though we celebrate this restoration of justice, we continue to anticipate and prepare for future anti-immigrant policies. We encourage you to join us staying updated, informed, and ready to speak up for our communities. #TerraFirmaNational #SupportImmigrantYouth #ProtectKids #EqualJusticeisImmigrantJustice #LegalAccess #NoHumanIsIllegal

The impact of immigration enforcement goes beyond the legal system—it directly affects health. Health care institutions have a responsibility to protect immigrant patients. The Illinois Alliance for Welcoming Healthcare, a project of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, provides a roadmap for institutions to become more immigrant-friendly in their Model Policies and Protocol document. This resource empowers leaders and changemakers to create safer, more inclusive health care environments. Find the full guide here: https://buff.ly/41tGnp1 #HealthCareForAll #ProtectPatients #ImmigrantHealth #HealthJustice #WelcomingHealthcare

In American civics, we learn that a fair legal system requires representation. For immigrant children, having an attorney is critical to a fair day in court. Studies show that immigrant children with attorneys are almost five times more likely to win legal protections than those children forced to represent themselves - in complex administrative law proceedings conducted in a language they do not speak, against trained federal prosecutors. The administration's decisions to slash these protections is an open wound in our system of justice. No child, immigrant or not, should be forced to stand alone in court without legal defense. Please join us in standing against this travesty by contacting your members of Congress today ?? bit.ly/4hHMoFb #TerraFirmaNational #SupportImmigrantYouth #ProtectKids #EqualJusticeisImmigrantJustice #LegalAccess #NoHumanIsIllegal