Facebook campaign to reunite families torn apart by US immigration policy raises millions
'This is such a profound rejection of the cruel policies of this administration'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy on immigration, which has led to parents being separated from their children, has been met with an outpouring of donations to help reunite undocumented families.
More than 100,000 people have donated to the Reunite an immigrant parent with their child campaign on Facebook, helping to raise more than $4 million (£3 million) since it launched on Saturday, 16 June – making it the largest ever single fundraiser on Facebook.
Californian couple Charlotte and Dave Willner set up the campaign after seeing an image of a young child crying at the US-Mexico border.
"We are collectively revulsed at what's happening to immigrant families on our southern border," the Facebook campaign page states.
"In times when we often think that the news can't possibly get worse, it does – we learned last night that 2,000 children (many of them infants and toddlers) have been separated from their parents in just six weeks under President Trump's 'zero tolerance' policy.
Among the high-profile donors to the campaign are Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and company COO Sheryl Sandberg.
The original fundraising target was just $1,500, which would have been used to help reunite the parents with the child in the photo.
All proceeds will go to RAICES, a Texas non-profit that offers legal services to undocumented immigrants and refugees.
"We do not have the words to thank Charlotte and Dave Willner. Thanks is inadequate for the work these funds will make possible. We know it will change lives," RAICES said in a statement on its Facebook page.
"We've been occasionally crying around the office all day when we check the fundraising totals. This is such a profound rejection of the cruel policies of this administration. Take heart."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments