Tucson Protection Network Coalition Joins the National Fast Campaign "Not One More"

(En español sigue abajo)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2013

CONTACT: (939) 579-3534

Protection.Network.Coalition@gmail.com 

Tucson Protection Network Coalition Joins the National Fast Campaign "Not One More"

Tucson, Arizona - As the House of Representatives proceeds to discuss the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill (CIR) and moves forward with militarization policies that will continue to harm border communities, several members of our community will begin a fast from Tuesday July 16th through Saturday July 20th in Tucson, Arizona. The Protection Network Coalition's goal is to highlight how the immigration raids and deportations continue to separate families across the country.

"We fast in solidarity with all of those who are facing deportation proceedings, all of those who have been separated from their families and all of those who have been ripped apart from their communities. We fast to say not one more deportation," declares Eleazar Castellanos, a 46 year-old community leader at the Southside Worker Center and a fasting participant. The group's spiritual fast is one of a series of travelling fasts that have been taking place nationwide. Communities in California, Oregon, New York and Florida have also participated in the national fast. The campaign is expected to end in Washington, D.C. during the last week of July.

The Not One More fast aims to have national and local impact. On a national level, the community members who will be fasting are calling on President Obama to immediately suspend deportations. They are also demanding Congress to pass an immigration reform that is inclusive of all 11 million undocumented people in the United States, and to stop the militarization of the US-Mexico border.

On a local level, the Tucson community demands local law enforcement to stop collaborating with immigration law enforcement. Police and Border Patrol collaboration continues to divide families and terrorize communities in Tucson and across the country on a daily basis.

A Press Conference at Southside Presbyterian Church is scheduled for July 16th at 11:00 AM (at 317 W. 23rd St.) and will be the starting point of the week's activities and events.

For a soon-to-be-released list of daily activities in Tucson July 16-20, go to: www.facebook.com/events/138174623048100/?fref=ts 

More information on the National Fast available at: www.notonemoredeportation.com

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PARA DIFUSION INMEDIATA

8 de Julio de 2013

Contacto: (939) 579-3534

Protection.Network.Coalition@gmail.com 

La Coalición de Redes de Protección de Tucson se une al Ayuno Nacional: Ni Una Deportación Más

Tucson, Arizona - Mientras la Cámara de Representantes continua debatiendo el proyecto de ley de la Reforma Migratoria y avanzan con políticas de militarización anti-migrantes que continuaran dañando y destruyendo nuestra comunidad, varios miembros de la comunidad de Tucson estarán llevando a cabo una jornada de ayuno que comenzara el Martes 16 de Julio y terminara el Sábado 20 de Julio de 2013. El objetivo de la Coalición de Redes de Protección de Tucson es destacar como las redadas de inmigración y las deportaciones continúan destruyendo familias alrededor de los Estados Unidos.

"Ayunamos en solidaridad con todas las personas que se encuentran en proceso de deportación, con todos aquellos que han sido separados/as de sus familias y arrebatados/as de sus comunidades. Ayunamos para decir ni una deportación más," declaró Eleazar Castellanos, líder comunitario del Centro de Trabajadores del Sur de Tucson quien estará ayunando. Dicho ayuno es parte de una jornada nacional que se ha estado llevando a cabo a lo largo de Estados Unidos. Comunidades en California, Oregon, Nueva York y Florida han participado en el ayuno nacional. Se espera que la jornada de ayunos culmine en Washington, D.C. durante la última semana de Julio.

La Coalición de Redes de Protección de Tucson espera que la campaña tenga un impacto nacional y local. A nivel nacional, la comunidad le exige al Presidente Obama un alto inmediato a las deportaciones. A su vez, le hacen un llamado a la Cámara de Representantes que pasen una Reforma Migratoria Comprensiva que incluya a los 11 millones de indocumentados/as en Estados Unidos y que se pare la militarización en la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México.

A nivel local, la comunidad de Tucson le exige a las autoridades locales que paren la colaboración con la Patrulla Fronteriza. La colaboración entre la Policía de Tucson y la Patrulla Fronteriza continúa dividiendo y aterrorizando la comunidad de Tucson a diario.

Una Conferencia de Prensa tendrá lugar en:

La Iglesia Presbiteriana en Southside

el 16 de Julio a las 11:00 AM (en 317 W. 23rd St.)

La misma será el comienzo de las actividades y eventos programadas para la semana del 16 al 20 de Julio.

Para ver el programa de actividades y eventos en Tucson del 16 al 20 de Julio visite nuestra página: www.facebook.com/events/138174623048100/?fref=ts 

Más información sobre el ayuno nacional disponible en: www.notonemoredeportation.com

Make Your Call for Justice: Support the Dream Act

Congress may consider the DREAM Act this week or sometime before the end of its lame duck session. As you may know, this legislation – the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act -- could provide access to legalization to tens of thousands of undocumented immigrant students.

Many more young people could be eligible and benefit long term if the bill is improved before final passage. Please join us in urging Congress to bring DREAM to more youth and students by including access and options tocommunity service, as well as educational opportunities and job training.

We urge you to call your congressional representatives NOW to ask for their support of DREAM. Click to get the contact info for your Representative and Senators.

A just DREAM must include options to community service & education

The current version of the DREAM Act requires applicants to complete high school, demonstrate good moral character and complete at least two years of higher education or U.S. military service.

Please ask your congressional delegation to add community service to the list of criteria for access to this program. This would restore a provision of the original bill and would embrace a broader cross section of students. It would provide more life choices and options for these young people beyond the controversial military service criteria, which could act as a de facto "poverty draft."

And ask representatives to support access of undocumented students to in-state tuition and federal financial aid.

Take a few minutes to call (202) 224-3121 to connect to your representatives’ offices and ask that they support and improve the DREAM Act.

[Click here to see the important message and commentary from our colleagues at the American Friends Service Committee.]

Tens of thousands of young immigrants -- "undocumented and unafraid" -- and their supporters have rallied to support DREAM. Let’s 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.

Alza tus voces: Todas y todos somos Arizona

Día Nacional de Acción contra la SB1070

La Red Nacional Pro Derechos Inmigrantes y Refugiados al lado de Arizona por la justicia y los derechos humanos!

El 29 de mayo, los ojos del mundo estarán sobre Arizona cuando decenas de miles de miembros de las comunidades de Arizona, incluyendo a los pueblos indígenas, jornaleros, sindicatos, pueblos de color, mujeres, gente LGBTQ, trabajadoras y trabjadores, la juventud, estudiantes y de otras partes del país, convergerán en Phoenix para el Día Nacional de Acción contra la SB1070. La SB1070 es la nueva ley anti-inmigrante, de detenciones raciales del estado de Arizona, que permite a la policía interrogar a cualquier persona sobre su condición migratoria, encarcelarla y entregarla a la migra, ICE, para ser deportada.

La Red Nacional Pro Derechos Inmigrantes y Refugiados (NNIRR, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights) y su membresía estarán presentes en Arizona y en acciones de solidaridad alrededor del país el 29 de mayo para estar al lado de los pueblos de Arizona en la lucha para restaurar nuestros derechos y contrarrestar al odio racial.

El 29 de mayo y más allá, la Red Nacional Pro Derechos Inmigrantes y Refugiados hace un llamado a todas y todos sin importar su condición social de exigir la derogación de la ley SB1070 y el fin a la colaboración de la policía local con el control migratorio. Este es un momento nacional significativo para comprometernos a eradicar todas las formas de la discriminación racial y las intolerancias. Nos fortalece y da ánimo ver cómo tantos y diversos grupos y sectores se han unido para oponerse a la SB1070.

Este apoyo amplio es muy necesario para impedir la expansion continua de programas federales de colaboración policiaca en el control migratorio que permiten a leyes como la SB1070 y otras medidas de control migratorio y fronterizo que ponen en peligro la vida, perpetuan los abusos y el odio racial, socavando la salud de las comunidades.

Ya antes del 29 de mayo en Arizona la Red Nacional de Jornaleros con el Movimiento Puente están preparando un boicott nacional de Arizona, especialmente contra compañías y productos cuyos dueños han contribuido fondos que han permitido el florecimiento de leyes y políticas anti-inmigrantes. La Red de Jornaleros y Puente también están planeando una campaña de desafío a la SB1070 que se implementará en julio.

La Coalición de Derechos Humanos (DH), trabajando con comunidades fronterizas y no-fronterizas, iniciará su quinta anual “Marcha sobre el Sendero de las y los Migrantes” – una caminata de 75 millas desde Sásabe, Sonora hasta Tucson, Arizona para expresar solidaridad con migrantes mujeres, niñas y niños, ancianos y hombres que han caminado por este sendero y perdido sus vidas. El trabajo de DH contra la militarización EEUU del control migratorio y de comunidades fronterizas es un llamado profundo de ligar nuestras comunidades a través del país para desmilitarizar la frontera y defender el derecho a la vida, la libertad y la salud de todas y todos.

Más allá del 29 de mayo, la Red Nacional NNIRR continuará urgiendo a la Administración de Obama que:

• Tome todos los pasos necesarios para impedir la implementación de la SB1070. Obama tiene que denunciar el clima de odio racial e investigar y castigar a todas y todos los oficiales estatales, munipales y locales que están violando los derechos civiles de comunidades enteras;

• Replegar y poner fin a los programas del 287(g), Comunidades Seguras y todas las formas de programas de colaboración policiaca en el control migratorio

• Suspender todas las detenciones y las deportaciones e investigar los abusos cometidos contra inmigrantes en la frontera y en el interior del país.

• Desmilitarizar el control migratorio y las comunidades fronterizas y poner alto al despliegue de tropes de la Guardia Nacional. En lugar, el gobierno de EEUU debe emitir suficientes visas y proveer opciones para que las familias puedan reunificarse y vivir, trabajar, orar, estudiar y recrearse con sus derechos integralmente protegidos. El gobierno federal tiene que invertir en la creacion de comunidades sostenibles y promover políticas de comercio justo que proveerán estabilidad y desarrollo;

• Busque en serio reformas migratorias basadas en la justicia social que proveen legalización integral que defiende los derechos civiles y laborales de todas las personas.

¡Todas y todos somos Arizona | We are all Arizona!

We Don't Want Just Any Immigration Reform

Renee Saucedo
March 31, 2010

Last week, we witnessed the powerful marches of immigrant communities in Washington D.C., and in other cities, in support of "immigration reform." These righteous protests allowed those impacted by unfair immigration laws to remind lawmakers of what they are demanding: legalization for themselves and their families.

But some of the groups that organized the march in Washington, led by beltway advocates like the National Immigration Forum and the National Council of La Raza, are supporting policies beyond legalization, which actually harm immigrant communities. Reform Immigration For America, or "RIFA," the coalition spearheading a national immigration reform campaign, recently came out in support of the conservative, Senate proposal, authored by Senators Lindsey Graham (Republican-SC) and Chuck Schumer (Democrat-NY). In a recent email, RIFA celebrated President Obama's support for this "bi-partisan blueprint for reform" and mentioned the rally in San Francisco as further support for a "bi-partisan bill."

It is horrifying that immigrant rights groups would support a proposal that would have devastating impacts on immigrants. Among other things, the Graham-Schumer plan proposes an intensification of raids, detentions, deportations and militarism of the US-Mexico border. Over 350,000 undocumented migrants were incarcerated last year in private detention centers. This number will rise under the bi-partisan plan.

Graham-Schumer also propose creating a biometric national identity card that everyone, including US citizens, must carry to prove authorization to work. This means that people working without papers will be fired and even imprisoned. And they propose to expand guest worker programs that have been documented numerously to be highly exploitative. It will be harder for immigrant workers to defend their rights, organize unions and raise wages.

In the area of legalization, the Graham-Schumer proposal involves "going to the back of the line of prospective immigrants to earn the opportunity to work toward lawful permanent residence." It offers no real alternative to the current system and makes it almost impossible for most to legalize their status.

As the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) states, "(the bi-partisan blueprint) sets a low bar for the debate, placing harsh and failed enforcement strategies at its heart in hopes of drawing conservative support, regardless of the human rights consequences of such policies." (Press Release dated March 20, 2010). The "bi-partisan blueprint" outlined by Democrats and Republicans in Congress, and supported by President Obama, is a horrible starting point for legalization.

Many respectable advocates argue that, while Graham-Schumer may not be the ticket, we should support less onerous proposals such as the Luis Gutierrez bill, introduced by the Illinois Congressman in the House of Representatives. "It's best to get at least residency for some, even if this means accepting provisions which would lead to further criminalization and exploitation for others," they say. "It's the best we're going to get." They make a strategy argument rather than a political or ideological one.

However, Luis Gutierrez's bill, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009, offers benefits to some, but criminalizes the vast majority of undocumented immigrants. While it eliminates the program encouraging collaboration between local law enforcement and Immigration, provides an avenue for undocumented youth to apply for residency, and improves the oversight in the current detention system, it does little in the area of legalization. The Gutierrez bill creates a new "conditional non-immigrant visa status" (CNIS) and those who qualify could apply, with no guarantee, for residency. The only real difference between this proposal and the current system is that applicants' biometrics would be registered with the Department of Homeland Security and they would have to wait at least 6 years to gain their residency. Most undocumented immigrants I've spoken to about this proposal do not consider it to be beneficial.

Even if the Gutierrez bill was favorable in the area of legalization, it still does more damage than it does good. Among other things, it increases border militarization and enforcement, raids, and deportations, instead of addressing the economic and social issues that fuel migration across the border. The bill also mandates the use of an "Employment Verification System (E-Verify), requiring all employers to fire employees whose names do not match their Social Security numbers. Finally , the bill creates a Commission with an anti-worker character, since its stated goal is to pursue "employment-based immigration policies that promote economic growth and competitiveness, while minimizing job displacement, wage depression, and unauthorized unemployment." The establishment of this commission is the first step towards setting up an expanded guest worker program.

Of course, the human rights implications of both the Graham-Schumer and Gutierrez proposals are deadly and catastrophic. Under both, more families will be separated, more people will suffer and die while attempting to cross the US-Mexico border. More workers will be exploited and discriminated against. Employers will still be able to exploit cheap immigrant labor while temporary workers would be barred from many of the benefits and rights of US citizenship, as well as from many of the labor protections guaranteed under US laws. And undocumented migration to the US will continue to conveniently mischarcterized as a "criminal," or "illegal," issue, rather than as a consequence of economic trade agreements and political repression which displaces millions. Employers want to keep it this way to ensure their supply of cheap, vulnerable, exploitable labor.

No immigrant, labor, or human rights organization can in good conscience rationalize the support of the Graham Schumer or Gutierrez proposals.

Instead, we must hold steadfast to what immigrant communities really want and deserve:

• Immediate legalization for the millions of undocumented and a reasonable legalization process for future immigrants;
• An end to the criminalization of immigrants, workplace enforcement, and raids;
• The repeal of Employer Sanctions;
• The Expansion of Family Visas to end the backlogs in family reunification;
• An end to the detention and deportation system;
• The end of border militarization and protection of human rights of border communities;
• An end to guest worker programs;
• The protection and expansion of civil rights, labor rights and due process for immigrants.

We must continue to organize around just immigration policies in terms of labor mobility and human rights, not as an issue of national security and enforcement.

In 1986, Employers Sanctions was traded in exchange for legalization for some. This proved to be disastrous in the long run for millions of workers who cannot get work legally, or who are discriminated against by employers.

Why are we chopping off our bargaining power away so early in the game? Why don't we demand everything that we want from the start, knowing that we will probably have to compromise on some things as the process moves forward? I don't understand why advocates believe we must begin negotiations with the lowest common denominator.

I believe that we should never fight for the rights of some at the expense of others. Legalization for some will be an empty victory if at the same time most undocumented immigrants are facing higher exploitation, suffering, and even deaths.

We must continue to support immigrant communities in their struggle to obtain a fair legalization law. We must not allow certain advocacy organizations to negotiate away rights on their behalf. By organizing, marching, etc. we must continue to demand just immigration laws and to work towards ending policies which criminalize and exploit members of our community. In the long run, the immigrant rights movement will be stronger for it.

Renee Saucedo is the Community Empowerment Coordinator at La Raza Centro Legal, in San Francisco. Her email address is renee@lrcl.org

NNIRR: Immigration Blueprint Reveals Challenges for Immigration Fairness

For Immediate Release
March 20, 2010

Immigration Blueprint Reveals Challenges for Immigration Fairness
Hard Work, Commitment Needed to End Trauma of Current Policies, Ensure Human Rights

For more information, contact:
Catherine Tactaquin 510.459.4457 (mobile)
510.465.1984 ext. 302 (office)

OAKLAND, CA: The "blueprint" for immigration reform recently released by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) points to a difficult road ahead for decent, fair immigration reform. The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is very concerned that the provisions described by the senators would extend and deepen harsh enforcement practices that have caused trauma and separation for immigration families, fostered racial profiling and led to tragic deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border of migrants seeking a better life.

Surely, the thousands of people who will rally in Washington tomorrow and in local areas in the coming days want immigration legislation that treats immigrants fairly, that recognizes their dignity and rights. Unfortunately, the blueprint outlined by the senators and praised by President Obama is not an outline for bold and enlightened legislation. As a "starting point" for real congressional engagement, it sets a low bar for the debate, placing harsh and failed enforcement strategies at its heart in hopes of drawing conservative support, regardless of the human rights consequences of such policies.

While still vague and without many details, the blueprint emphasizes increases in worksite and border enforcement as an apparent trade off for a "tough but fair" legalization program. It promises green cards for the "best and the brightest" -- more of the "brain drain" scenario -- and refers to so-called "circular migration" as a rationale to provide temporary worker visas to lower-skilled immigrants to work in the U.S. These workers would presumably save their earnings, send remittances home, and then return to their home countries. This is a recipe for disaster, and merely sets up the prospect of more exploited migrant workers with fewer rights, including workers with little access to green cards and who could eventually become undocumented.

The senators acknowledged that Americans support legal immigration, but did not mention changes needed in our core legal immigration program. Instead, they mention that in "20 years" Americans "will embrace more welcoming immigration policies" after the tide of undocumented has apparently been contained. We hope this does not mean that they are not prepared to support important changes to the current legal immigration program, emphasizing family unity, as part of the immigration package.

It's bad enough that the "tough but fair" legalization program they describe would further criminalize the undocumented and would create unnecessary barriers to eligible applicants.

When President Barack Obama took office in January 2008, we sent him an Open Letter joined by thousands of community members, rights advocates and allies in faith, labor and civil rights communities. We urged the new President to commit to principles of human rights. We asked him to end the raids, detentions and deportations that have caused so much hardship in our communities as a prerequisite to a genuine commitment to provide the undocumented with access to legal status.

We continue to urge the Administration and members of Congress to focus on core reforms:

• Suspend detentions and deportations while humanitarian policy alternatives are in place, and to reinstate due process;
• Support legalization without the onerous hurdles of past proposals that will limit applications;
• Uphold family reunification as a core principle of immigration policy, and expand and expedite legal immigration;
• End guestworker programs -- provide access to green cards;
• End the criminalization of immigrants, by repealing employer sanctions, and stopping the militarization of the border and local police collaboration programs;
• Strengthen labor law enforcement for all workers, regardless of citizenship or immigration status;
• Ensure immigrant access to services.

Immigration is not just a domestic policy issue; it is tied to policies that create displacement and forced migration. In committing to tackle immigration reform this time around, policymakers also need to ensure that U.S. foreign and economic policies promote global sustainable economic development and environments, job creation, and peace, so that migration is an option and not a last resort for economic survival.

Despite the President's and the senators' promises to move forward on immigration reform, we have no illusions about the difficult road ahead. But there is an important step that can be taken now. We urge the Administration to act swiftly to support immigrant community participation in this critical Census 2010. Suspend immigration enforcement activities so that immigrants, many fearful and unaware of the Census, are encouraged to complete and return their Census forms. This also affects their lives and the lives of us all over the next 10 years. (Read our letter to President Obama and DHS Secretary Napolitano on enforcement and the census here.)

____________________________________________________

National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Red Nacional Pro Derechos Inmigrantes y Refugiados
310 8th Street Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94607
Tel (510) 465-1984
Fax (510) 465-1885
www.nnirr.org

Share NNIRR's latest human rights report, click here Guilty by Immigration Status