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When it comes to crime and migration, all sorts of politicians have justified mass detention and incarceration in the name of confronting a dangerous crisis. But what’s real and what’s fear mongering, and how can reformers counter the rhetoric to advance alternatives? In this episode, Laura Flanders and co-host Amir Khafagy speak with Silky Shah, Executive Director of Detention Watch Network, about her new book is “UNBUILD WALLS: Why Immigrant Justice Needs Abolition”, and Aron Thorn, Senior Attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project’s Beyond Borders Program about the road ahead. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star program and the state-based deportation process proposed in his state’s Senate Bill SB4 could set the tone for the country. Activists can do their best to call out abuses, but what is really needed is an entirely new approach. What difference would an abolitionist lens make?

“I find it very troubling that we have economies that are solely dependent on the exploitation of immigrant labor. This country depends on the exploitation of immigrant labor, yet you’re seeing all these draconian measures, especially in places like Texas and now New York . . .” – Amir Khafagy

“There’s been some minor reforms here and there . . . I don’t want to dismiss that, but none of it’s been at the scale that it needs to be. There needs to be a real investment that doesn’t just let the Republicans dictate the debate . . .” – Silky Shah

“It’s fascinating to see my colleagues in New York grappling with some of the same really difficult questions that border Texans have grappled with for a really long time. What does it look like to give meaningful support to folks who are coming here and seeking a better life?” – Aron Thorn

Guests

• Silky Shah: Director, Detention Watch Network; Author, Unbuild Walls
• Aron Thorn: Senior Attorney, Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), Beyond Borders Program
• Amir Khafagy: Journalist, Report for America Member, Documented

Recommended books:

 “Unbuild Walls: Why Immigrant Justice Needs Abolition” by Silky Shah, Get the Book 

(*Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. The LF Show is an affiliate of  bookshop.org and will receive a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)

Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:

•  New Yorkers Welcome Migrants: What’s it Take to Make Sanctuary Real? Watch / Listen-Podcast 

•  Militarization & Uvalde: The Context Media Coverage Omits, Watch / Listen-Podcast 

•  Saket Soni: How Trafficked Workers Pulled Off “The Great Escape,” Watch / Listen-Podcast 

Related Articles and Resources:

•  Know Your Rights Under Texas’ Deportation Scheme SB4, ACLU-Texas, Learn More Here

•  Aron Thorn on Texas Border Standoff, CounterSpin, February 4, 2024, Listen / Download

•  Most people think the U.S. crime rate is rising.  They’re wrong.  by Ken Dilanian, NBC News, December 16, 2023, Read Here

Featured ‘Music in the Middle’ of the Podcast:

RUMTUM remix of “Mirage” by Captain Planet courtesy of Bastard Jazz Records, Listen & Learn More

Related Episodes, Articles, Uncut Conversations and More

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