NNIRR's New Year's Resolutions: CELEBRATE, RISE, ORGANIZE

December 2010

Dear Friends,

We promised to DREAM, RISE and ORGANIZE this year, and as 2010 comes to a close we remember unforgettable moments symbolic of that pledge despite the onslaught of political and economic challenges.

We wanted to share the National Network’s New Year’s Resolutions with you and hope you will resolve to join the National Network sustainer program—or make your year end contribution to support our continued efforts in 2011—our 25th anniversary year!

See highlights of our activities in 2010, and what's on the agenda for 2011 by clicking here.

Even in these final weeks of 2010, NNIRR and its members are rallying to stop deportations, pushed for the final passage of the DREAM Act, and stood with colleagues around the world in solidarity with International Migrants Day, December 18!

NNIRR New Year’s Resolution #1:

Fervently defend the rights of all immigrants, regardless of immigration status, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or nationality…by organizing to roll back the system of enforcement and local police collaboration that is stomping on human and civil rights. This includes the fight for legal status for all undocumented. The failure of the DREAM Act to move forward, despite public support and support from members of Congress—is another indication of how tough this battle is, as well as the absolute need to keep legalization central to our agenda!

Resolution #2:

Amplify the message, Migrant Rights are Human Rights! We’re stepping up our communications capacity, collaborating with partners and members to beat back an environment of hostility, racism and xenophobia. With this message we also connect with our colleagues around the world, and together we will continue to uplift this message and raise awareness about the “root causes” of migration and the need for global solutions.

Resolution #3:

Enhance NNIRR as a strategic space for members and allies to build relations, share information and analysis, and converge on plans and actions. We are reminded everyday of one of NNIRR’s core functions—building a diverse and strategic movement for immigrant rights--and we resolve to redouble our efforts to make this convergence happen!

… and there is one more!

Resolution #4:

Celebrate! Despite the grim political developments that have deepened the human rights crisis for immigrants and refugees here and globally, we find it even more important to celebrate our movement, our victories (big and small), our dreams and the National Network’s silver anniversary.

We hope you will join us in following through on these resolutions! We ask that one resolution YOU make is to become a NNIRR sustainer and help to honor our 25th anniversary. Or give a one-time donation—online or through the mail—as a gesture of your commitment to our common pledge.

THANK YOU for your support and solidarity! And please join us in 2011 when we will celebrate, RISE and ORGANIZE.

Peace,

Catherine Tactaquin

Executive Director

P.S. We’re excited to unveil a new and improved NNIRR website in mid-January, so please remember to visit us! Go now to www.nnirr.org to check out our latest report, “Injustice for All: The Rise of the U.S. Immigration Policing Regime,” which includes documentation and stories from the field detailing the growth of the immigration enforcement system. Print copies of the report will be available at the beginning of the year.

Make your Call for Justice -- Support the Dream

As you may know, today the U.S. Senate is set to consider the DREAM Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. We urge you to call your Senator to urge his/her support of DREAM, to provide an opportunity for undocumented students to gain legal immigration status. Moreover, we ask you to urge the Senators to include community service to the list of criteria for access to this program, restoring a provision of the original bill that was designed to embrace a broader cross section of the students who could benefit from this important program.

Please take a few minutes to call (202) 224-3121 to connect to your Senators' offices and ask that they take action to support DREAM, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act.

The DREAM Act -- particularly if it is broadened to include a greater number of immigrant youth and students -- deserves consideration as a "stand alone" bill. But in these weeks leading up to the mid-term elections, it has instead been offered by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) as an amendment to the "must pass" defense appropriations bill. We resent that DREAM is being held hostage by the defense bill. We are very much aware that military conflicts produce millions of refugees and migrants every year, and in fact, many potential DREAM students and their families fled areas of conflict. Whether or not DREAM is included in the Defense Authorization Act, we further support the diversion of defense funds to education and social services.

The vote today will determine if DREAM will move forward at all and it faces stiff opposition. Tens of thousands of young immigrants -- "undocumented and unafraid" -- and their supporters have rallied to support DREAM. We need to send a message to Congress that we stand on the side of justice and in support of immigrant youth and students, for their future, and that of their families.

And whatever the vote on DREAM, we need to continue to work to make it more accessible for young immigrants: broaden access to include community sevice as a criteria; provide more funds for public education and for job training. Make the dream of a brighter future a reality!

Make your call now to 202-224-3121. Ask to speak to each of your Senator's offices.

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Who could benefit from DREAM?

* Just one year old, Daniel came to the U.S. from Mexico with an older sister to reunite with their parents. He is currently a student at the state university. He aspires to go into politics and give back to his community.

* Diana was three when she came to the U.S. She graduated from college with a degree in business and marketing. Since she is undocumented, she currently makes her living by cleaning houses and doing childcare. But she continues to hope for more meaningful employment where she can put her skills to work.

* John was born in Canada, but came to the U.S. when he was two as the child of a Filipino mother and Salvadoran father. He grew up in Oakland, graduating from high school in 2008. An exemplary student, John felt discouraged from applying to college because he would be ineligible for financial assistance due to his undocumented status. Since high school, John has become one of the youth leaders of ASPIRE, a Bay Area support group for undocumented Asian youth.

About the DREAM Act:

A number of different versions of the DREAM Act have been introduced over the past several years. Under the current proposal, upwards of 800,000 young undocumented immigrants could be eligible for conditional relief, and eventual permanent legal status if they meet certain critieria, including:

* Entered the U.S. before the age of 16

* Have lived continuously in the U.S. for the last 5 years

* Have completed high school (graduation/GED) or have been accepted into college

* Are between 12 and 35 years old at time of application

* Meet a "good moral character" standard

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National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

310 8th St. Ste. 303 | Oakland, CA 94607

Tel: 510.465.1984 | fax: 510.465.1885 | http://www.nnirr.org