The #ToImmigrantsWithLove Hashtag Is a Moving Homage to Immigrants That Will Bring You to Tears

As many celebrate Valentine’s Day, 25-year-old Mexican immigrant Felipe Molina will kiss his boyfriend goodbye before heading to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations office in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to Fusion, Molina received a removal notice on Christmas Eve, even though the Fourth Circuit of Appeals is currently reviewing his asylum case. He hopes ICE agents will grant him a stay.
Felipe, like many undocumented immigrants across the country, knows that at any moment he may have to leave behind the life he’s built. Though the undocumented community has lived with the fear of deportation well before Donald Trump assumed the presidency, his recent immigration order – which has expanded the definition of “criminal alien” to encompass a wider range of people – has sparked increased fear and confusion. And while flowers, candy, and other Valentine’s Day staples may not register high on their priorities this year, Define American and Welcome.us have launched a #ToImmigrantsWithLove, a campaign highlighting the importance of the immigrant community.
“#ToImmigrantsWithLove is basically a letter-writing campaign and we’re asking the community to write love letters, essentially, to immigrants in support of them. We’re collecting letters from teachers to their immigrant students, co-workers to their immigrant co-workers, neighbors to neighbors,” Leezia Dhalla, communications associate for Welcome.us, told me in a phone interview. “The whole point is just to talk about how we are standing with immigrants, we’re standing in solidarity with them. We’re supporting them.”
Launching today, the campaign’s backed by public figures like Constance Wu, Russell Simmons, Jose Antonio Vargas, and Cristela Alonzo. To participate, visit ToImmigrantswithLove.com to write your letter before sharing it on social media with the #ToImmigrantsWithLove hashtag. Below, check out some beautiful and uplifting letters lovingly dedicated to the immigrant community:
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My Abuela found love in the USA. My mom found a future for her children in the USA. And because of them my son loves all immigrants! pic.twitter.com/u09E2I8G7W
— Paola Mendoza (@paolamendoza) February 14, 2017
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On #ValentinesDay, I write this letter to the love of my life, @PaolaMendoza, who came to this country at 2 years old. #ToImmigrantsWithLove pic.twitter.com/Fosb4SToXA
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
When Paola first came to America, her family had nothing. Just a few suitcases and a belief that they would survive. #ToImmigrantsWithLove
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
Like so many immigrants who come to the United States, @PaolaMendoza's mother wanted a better life for her kids – she sacrificed everything.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
Not knowing the language, and living in a one room apartment in downtown LA, her mom worked whatever job she could to provide for her kids.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
As immigrants from Colombia 🇨🇴, they settled in Los Angeles, with no family, no safety net, and at one point ended up on the streets.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
It was a fierce determination and sheer resilience of Paola's mother to protect her children and work relentlessly to give them a chance.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
Like so many immigrants who came before, including my ancestors who arrived at Ellis Island with just two suitcases, the goal is the same.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
Paola's mother and my great grandparents just wanted a better life for their kids and would do anything in the world to make that happen.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
Ultimately, Paola's mom learned English + went to college. Paola, her brother + sister all received their Master's Degrees + all have kids!
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
Paola and I teach our son, Mateo Ali, Spanish and go to Colombia every year so he can be proud of where his mama and abuela came from.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
I love that Mateo Ali lives in a country with so many amazing people from so many different countries. This is what makes us great!
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
Thankful for the sacrifices of our immigrant families, it made it possible for @PaolaMendoza and I to meet and be in love for 17 years! ❤️
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
To @PaolaMendoza who continues to uplift the voices of all immigrants through your work and life, I am always inspired by your compassion.
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017
To all immigrants who recently arrived in this country, we love you, we're in awe of your resilience + we support you! #ToImmigrantsWithLove pic.twitter.com/PirwU333Zw
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 14, 2017