Call for Submissions: Illegal Deportation Shatters Lives

We are seeking nonfiction submissions from individuals whose lives have been forever altered by the loss of someone they loved—family, friend, partner, colleague—due to deportation practices that violated the law, ignored due process, or denied fundamental human rights.

Whether your loved one died after being forcibly removed to a dangerous environment, was separated from their children indefinitely, was denied access to medical care or legal counsel, or simply disappeared into a system without explanation, we believe your story matters and must be heard.

Why Now

Across the United States, mass deportations are being carried out under the guise of legality, but behind those headlines are the very real consequences of unjust action: fractured families, silent trauma, preventable deaths. Many of these removals happen in violation of constitutional protections, international treaties, and even the U.S.'s own immigration laws.

And yet, those most affected are often pushed out of view, their stories untold, their pain unacknowledged.

We want to change that.

What We’re Looking For (Among Other Things)

We are inviting personal essays, testimonies, letters, and narrative nonfiction pieces that explore:

• The loss of a loved one due to deportation;
  

• The emotional, financial, or psychological impact on those left behind;
  

• Barriers to justice, including lack of legal representation, legal recourse, discrimination, or government inaction; and/or
  

• Stories of resilience and remembrance—how you’ve carried on, advocated, or memorialized those lost.

We are especially interested in submissions from:

• Children and spouses of deported individuals;
  

• Community organizers and faith leaders who have witnessed unjust removals; and/or
  

• Colleagues, students, and neighbors—anyone whose life has been touched by this crisis.

Stories can be previously unpublished or personal reflections explicitly written for this call. Anonymous submissions will be considered, provided they are accompanied by appropriate context and protections.

Submission Guidelines

We welcome submissions across all open categories. Please follow the guidelines below to ensure your work is properly considered:

• File Uploads: You may include up to five files with your submission. Accepted formats include Word documents, PDFs, audio recordings, photographs, and video files that support or accompany your written narrative.
  

• Cover Letter: A cover letter is required for all submissions. This should briefly introduce you, explain the context of your piece, and note whether anonymity is requested.
  

• Document Format: Written submissions must be formatted as a Word Document or PDF, using 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and clearly titled.
  

• Deadline: Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis, unless otherwise stated in your specific call.
  

• Anonymity and Privacy: If you request anonymity, we will remove all identifying details and handle your submission with the highest level of confidentiality. Your safety and privacy are a core priority of this project. We adhere to strict ethical editorial standards to protect every contributor.
  

Please carefully review the specific submission requirements for the call you’re responding to before submitting. We look forward to hearing your story and honoring it with the care it deserves.

Your Voice Matters

This is no longer about politics. This is about people, dignity, and the lives that have been stolen and shattered. If you carry a story that has never been or needs to be told, we invite you to share it. Truth becomes most critical in the face of historical erasure, and your truth needs to be heard.

Photos provided courtesy of Jason Leung.

Typos? Not on our watch. This article has been fact-checked and finessed by our eagle-eyed editors. Have more to contribute or see something worth calling out? Let us know.