By: Malaak Sulieman
(CLEVELAND, OH – 5/29/25) – On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in response to the recent attacks held against immigrant workers by the ICE raids, the criminalization of free speech, and the weaponization of immigration status, Neoworker Center hosted a solidarity session with CAIR-Ohio Executive Director-Faten Odeh, along with Director of Major Gifts, National Domestic Workers Alliance-Larisse Mondok, and Ohio Worker Center organizer- Ricardo Morales Vivero at Happy Dog in order to examine how federal attacks are being used to divide workforces. Along with teaching about how immigrant workers and allies are fighting back and resisting these attacks.
During the session Odeh spoke about the effects of how these attacks have contributed to a climate of fear and vulnerability among Muslim and immigrant communities in the workplace.
“To take our right to free speech is difficult for the government to do…so they are using immigrants as examples, to silence us, to make us feel the fear…we are telling citizens they need to step up and keep on exercising our free speech. If we stop exercising our rights, we’re not going to have any.”
Mondok spoke about his position at the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and some of the most significant national trends that she is seeing in terms of renewed attacks or pressures on immigrant workers, particularly those in domestic work.
Northeast Ohio Worker Center | Supporting Workers Rights in Ohio
Vivero explained why operating at the intersection of labor and immigration is so important and what role community organizations play in helping workers fight back along with what more could be done to support these efforts.
“A lot of workers can be surprisingly brave when it comes to risk-taking and that makes sense when you understand this motives for coming here [United States].”- Ricardo Morales Vivero
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-OH Executive Director, Cleveland & Northern Ohio, Faten Odeh (216) 440-2247, fodeh@cair.com