Episode 16

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Published on:

7th May 2025

First El Salvador, Now Libya

Take Action

If this concerns you, take action with those in this situation showing courage. Here's how you can make sure your elected officials and the public hear from you — and can't say they didn't know.

📧 Email Template

Subject: Stop Forced Transfers to Libya - Take Action Now

Dear [Representative/Senator/Official's Name],

I am writing as your constituent about the Trump administration's attempt to send migrants to Libya, a country experiencing civil war and humanitarian crisis. This is unacceptable and I expect you to act.

Let's be clear about what this is: These migrants are not Libyan nationals. Sending people from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Mexico to a dangerous third country they have no connection to isn't deportation — it's forced exile. Our own State Department warns Americans against all travel to Libya due to terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

The administration tried to bypass a federal court order by using military planes for this transfer. Without journalists exposing this plan and legal advocates filing emergency motions, these people would now be in Libya's detention facilities, which our government describes as "harsh and life-threatening."

As my representative, I expect you to:

- Publicly condemn these forced transfers to dangerous third countries

- Use your legislative and oversight powers to prevent such actions

- Ensure our immigration enforcement respects court orders and basic human rights

I am not asking for comprehensive immigration reform or open borders. I am demanding that our government follow its own laws and court orders, and not deliberately place people in harm's way.

I will be following this issue closely and expect a response outlining your specific position and actions. This will influence my voting decisions in future elections.

Not in my name,

[Your Name]


☎️ Phone Script

Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I'm a constituent from [Your City/Town]. I'm calling about the Trump administration's attempt to forcibly transfer migrants to Libya.

I'm deeply concerned that the administration tried to send people from countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Mexico to Libya - a country experiencing civil war where our own State Department warns Americans not to travel due to terrorism and armed conflict.

This isn't deportation - it's exile to a dangerous third country, and it violates federal court orders. It was only stopped because journalists exposed it and legal advocates took emergency action.

I expect [Representative/Senator's Name] to publicly condemn these transfers, use their oversight powers to prevent similar actions, and ensure our immigration enforcement follows the law and respects human rights.

This issue is important to me as a voter. Could you please tell me what specific actions [Representative/Senator's Name] is taking on this matter?

Thank you for your time.


📣 Sample Social Media Post

⚠️ Trump admin just tried to send migrants to war-torn Libya. This isn't deportation—it's force exile. Courts blocked it this time. What about next time? Call your reps NOW. Not in our name. #StopForcedExile #RefugeesWelcome #ProtectAsylumSeekers

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6ff5b8f4-51c8-49fe-9bf6-7e15a3aa0d39/


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Let everyone see protecting is an American right, and you are showing everyone what democracy looks like.

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Sources

CBS News. (2025, May 6). Trump administration may soon deport migrants to Libya, U.S. officials say. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-administration-may-soon-deport-migrants-to-libya/

CNN. (2025, April 30). Trump administration weighs sending migrants to Libya and Rwanda, sources say. https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/30/politics/migrants-libya-rwanda-trump

CNN. (2025, May 7). Federal judge says Libya deportation flight could violate prior court order. https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/07/politics/trump-immigrants-libya-transport

KENS5. (2025, May 7). Report: Trump administration plans to send migrants to Libya on flight from San Antonio. https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/trump-administration-migrants-libya-flight-san-antonio/273-332ae685-f55e-403f-a367-33fb30e15179

Migration Policy Institute. (2025, April 30). In First 100 Days, Trump 2.0 Has Dramatically Reshaped the U.S. Immigration System, but Is Not Meeting Mass Deportation Aims. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/trump-2-immigration-first-100-days

Newsweek. (2025, May 6). Donald Trump Planning to Send Migrants to Libya: What We Know. https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-planning-send-migrants-libya-reports-2068901

NPR. (2025, May 7). Trump administration plans to deport migrants to Libya. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/07/nx-s1-5389739/libya-immigration-crackdown-trump-deportations

Reuters. (2025, April 8). Trump plans to fine migrants $998 a day for failing to leave after deportation order. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-plans-fine-migrants-998-day-failing-leave-after-deportation-order-2025-04-08/

Reuters. (2025, May 7). Swiftly deporting migrants to Libya would violate court order, US judge rules. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-may-soon-deport-migrants-libya-military-flight-sources-say-2025-05-07/

Snyder, T. (2017). On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. Tim Duggan Books.

Snyder, T. (2024, January 6). On Tyranny. Thinking about...

Snyder, T. (2025, March 30). Twenty Lessons, read by John Lithgow. Thinking about...

Washington Post. (2025, May 7). Judge warns Trump administration against Libya deportations. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/07/libya-trump-migrants-plane-deportations/

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About the Podcast

Bigger Than Me Democracy Project
Where headlines meet history—and we stand united.
Bigger Than Me is a rapid-response audio blog from the Bigger Than Me Democracy Project.

Hosted by Bonnie Ross, this blog helps listeners make sense of the moments that don’t just make news — they challenge democratic norms. Each episode breaks down what happened, why it matters, and how it fits into the authoritarian playbook described in On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.

Here are the 20 lessons we return to again and again:
1. Do not obey in advance.
Authoritarianism thrives when people preemptively conform. Refuse to teach power what it can get away with.

2. Defend institutions.
Institutions don’t protect themselves. Pick one you care about — a court, a library, a newsroom — and take its side.

3. Beware the one-party state.
Support multiparty democracy and fair elections while you still can. Vote in every election. Consider running for office.

4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.
Symbols matter. Hate spreads when we get used to seeing it. Don’t look away. Don’t let it stand.

5. Remember professional ethics.
When leaders set bad examples, ethical commitments matter more. Rule of law needs defenders in every field.

6. Be wary of paramilitaries.
When the men with guns claim to protect the nation, watch who they march with. The merging of unofficial militias and official forces signals real danger.

7. Be reflective if you must be armed.
If you serve in uniform, be ready to say no when something isn't right.

8. Stand out.
The moment you do, others will follow. Nothing breaks the spell of the status quo like someone brave enough to go first.

9. Be kind to our language.
Avoid political clichés and empty slogans. Speak clearly. Read deeply. Think for yourself.

10. Believe in truth.
If nothing is true, power wins. Reality matters. Truth is the foundation of freedom.

11. Investigate.
Don’t just consume headlines. Subscribe to trustworthy journalism. Learn how propaganda works.

12. Make eye contact and small talk.
It’s more than polite — it’s civic glue. In times of fear and distrust, human connection is resistance.

13. Practice corporeal politics.
Get off the screen. Show up in person. Join others in physical, public acts of civic life.

14. Establish a private life.
Protect your digital life. Keep some conversations offline. Tyrants exploit what they learn about you.

15. Contribute to good causes.
Support organizations that reflect your values. Help sustain civil society with your time and money.

16. Learn from peers in other countries.
Authoritarianism is a global trend. Stay connected beyond borders. Have a passport. Use it.

17. Listen for dangerous words.
“Emergency.” “Terrorism.” “Extremism.” Authoritarians exploit these words to justify taking power.

18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
Crises are used to break democracy. Don’t trade freedom for false promises of safety.

19. Be a patriot.
Model the kind of America you want future generations to inherit.

20. Be as courageous as you can.
No one wants to be a hero. But if we’re not willing to risk for freedom, we all risk losing it.

About your host

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Bonnie Ross