From the Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund:

The Trump administration’s attacks on diversity programs and immigrants have reached a new level with the General Services Administration introducing a new rule that would require all nonprofits, Tribes, and service providers to sign onto and abide by the administration’s proposed illegal restrictions.

Trump issued an executive order early in his second term banning federal agencies from implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives meant to address generational inequities in our society. But this new proposed rule takes that even further, opening up nonprofits and other entities to legal harassment by the federal government.

And it’s not just an attack on DEI. Trump is seeking to criminalize any assistance to immigrants and seeks to label groups that oppose his agenda as domestic terrorists.

Throughout U.S. history, Native peoples and Tribes have faced attacks for our beliefs and ceremonies, and have had our land, human rights, and sovereignty trampled on by the federal government. We have seen and fought back against these kinds of attacks before. But this time it is different.

Right now, there is a federal comment period, and we need to show a growing movement that will never be silenced or intimidated. Click below to submit your official comment opposing Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-immigrant attack on nonprofits, Tribes, and service providers.

Submit your comment

Under attack are the organizations that are the backbone of urban and rural communities and reservations that provide essential services, including housing, economic development, environmental protection, health, education, food sovereignty, disaster recovery, and grassroots advocacy.

Under the proposed changes, applicants and recipients of federal financial assistance would be required to sign new certifications under penalty of criminal and civil law. But, because the administration’s requirements are so vague, many organizations will choose not to utilize federal funding in order to avoid the anticipated legal harassment. Health, educational, and social disparities will grow, deepening the divides between communities.

Nonprofits wrongfully accused of violating these orders would have to spend enormous amounts of time and money defending themselves in audits, investigations, and court.

These proposed changes will accelerate the politically driven attacks on the health and well-being of all of our communities. Tribes, Native communities, immigrants, and communities of color will become the first to face accusations. We have already witnessed the politically motivated attacks on Medicaid and child care in Minnesota and the Somali community.

Take action now. Submit your official comment to the General Services Administration and urge them to reject this proposed rule change that is an attack on nonprofits, Tribes, and service providers.

In Minnesota, the actions of the people proved our Native traditional ways are a path to resist the attempts to divide us: community care and protection. Serving Native peoples, immigrants, and communities of color is not domestic terrorism. Together, let’s raise our voices and fight back.

Hawwih (thank you) for supporting organizations that are critical to the health and well-being of our communities.

Judith LeBlanc (Caddo)
Executive Director