2.5 mil could lose jobs
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SAVE Act Moving Forward: Urgent Action Needed
The House Republican leadership has filed a discharge petition on the SAVE Act (the Shuler-Tancredo bill) and they are gathering signatures to force the bill to the House floor for a vote.
The bill would :
- Require more than six million employers to verify the work status of more than 130 million workers within four years, regardless of their status, using a federal database already known to have an over 17 million errors
- Make it easier for the government to put religious and humanitarian workers behind bars for so-called "alien smuggling."
- would throw more resources toward ineffective border and interior enforcement rather than offer a comprehensive solution.
Learn More About the SAVE Act
Write Your Representative and tell them not to sign on to support the SAVE Act
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Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 16:12:45 PM EDT
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From the American Immigration Lawyers Association (thanks, Michael!), a memo announcing the creation of the National Immigrant Bond Fund:  For too long U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have raided workplaces across the country, detaining and separating hard-working immigrants from their children, while leaving their local communities in total disarray.
ICE agents have detained, shackled and pushed men and woman alike through hearings in which these detainees have been deprived adequate legal representation, including an attorney of choice. In some cases ICE has flown detainees thousands of miles from their families to be tried in detention centers on the border. These harsh enforcement actions are causing an economic, constitutional and humanitarian crisis in the United States. Legal experts across the nation agree that the best chance immigrant detainees have to avoid deportation is to post bond immediately and contest their case in the courts. Posting bond sets jurisdiction in the district where the arrest took place, thereby avoiding ICE's rapid transfer of detainees outside the district. Posting bond also increases the detainee's ability to argue his/her case for a stay of deportation before a judge. Lastly detainees able to post bond have better access to community resources and family support.
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Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 09:25:37 AM EDT
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|  .....fill out the questionnaire.
Two of the members from the SanctuarySphere, Kety and Liza, spoke last night at Obama's Platform For Change in New York. Liza reminded us that health care, food, education, housing, safety and work are all human rights. She also asked that the term "illegal immigrant" and "illegal alien" be dropped from the discussion on immigration as it has become a tool of extremists in this country. She asked instead that everyone use the term "undocumented worker." Hearing the audience clap after this statement was quite promising. Kety brought up The Sanctuary and the questionnaire asking that we take a holistic approach immigration problem. To finish she stated quite eloquently: I'm here because that our nation can be something amazing, something beautiful and great, but I think that we the people here - and I think the Democratic Party has a long way to go to actualize it. I think you have the chance now with Obama - so, let's make it happen. Sadly there were more ICE raids this week. This time it was Ohio - Immigration raids Ohio restaurants, arrests 58. State and Local Round-up at Standing FIRM. Tears of Rage, Tears of Hope on the woman chained while giving birth. Also Hartford Considers Restriction to Make Community Safer by prohibiting police officers from inquiring about a person's immigration status. Update: Providence, Rhode Island Raids - How to Help!
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Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 16:26:26 PM EDT
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| (The following is a special report that I created and delivered at the Netroots Nation conference in Austin, Texas on July 18, 2008 as part of an immigration panel discussion.)
The question has long ceased being whether or not, that under this administration, if the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE is turning this nation into an immigration police state - it already has, and we can take their word for it.
In a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune editorial board, Julie Myers, assistant secretary of Homeland Security for ICE, told reporters that tougher immigration enforcement will continue through the end of 2008.
Julie Myers, Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security for ICE .
(Source: ice.gov)
We only have to look at ICE's Fiscal Year 2009 budget factsheet to know their plans extend beyond this year.
Under the heading Key Strategic Issues in FY 2009:, it's printed:
ICE will focus on border security and interior enforcement of immigration laws, transforming the way ICE finds and removes criminal aliens, and its other critical law enforcement responsibilities.
The key phrases are "interior enforcement" and "transforming the way ICE finds and removes criminal aliens."
That same 2009 budget calls for more funds to support the addition of 1,000 new detention beds, over 200 special agents for investigations, and expansion of the 287 (g) program.
In fact, the 287 (g) program, which empowers local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, is one of the more popular programs of the federal government. |
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Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 09:02:04 AM EDT
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Demonstrating that local activism does work a group of from Grassroots Leadership, Southwest Workers Union, No Wall-Big Bend, and PODER were able to convince Congressman Rodriguez, in San Antonio, to change his stance on the SAVE Act.
Advocates Protest the SAVE Act, meet with Congressman Rodriguez at T Don Hutto Blog. Check out the post and accompanying video. Friday, July 11, the group met with Rodriguez to express their concerns about his endorsement, calling on him to participate in a national sign-on letter against the SAVE Act. After arguing the expansion of the border wall and family detention included in the SAVE Act would be detrimental to families, citizens, and newcomers to the U.S., the group convinced Rodriguez to rethink his position. Also read LULAC Calls for Abolition of T. Don Hutto.
At Smart Borders we have Something there is that doesn't love a Wall, Part 6. This post tells of the walls in Belfast erected to keep Irish-Catholics and British-Protestants separated. These walls have increased to more than 40 today, covering over 13 miles and segregating much of this once-thriving city. Alternately built of steel, iron, and brick, these walls stretch up to 25-feet high and prohibit the movement of people from the Irish-Catholic parts of town to the British-Protestant sections. |
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Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 19:22:42 PM EDT
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If you're watching any of the national cable news networks, you're bound to know that south Texas is bracing for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Dolly. The Brownsville Herald reports that the Port Isabel Detention Center, operated by ICE, is preparing for a full evacuation.
Marc J. Moore, a San Antonio-based field director for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Detention and Removal Operation, said the Port Isabel Detention Center has gone through various kinds of evacuation drills since February. None of the individual detainees were involved in the evacuation trials, Moore said.
Staff at the facility, which can house 1,200 adult men and women detainees, has been talking with detainees about the possible evacuation.
"We want to make sure the detainees know what's going on," Moore said. "Some haven't been in a hurricane or even an evacuation situation."
This is the same "detention center" (read high-security prison) that the Texas Civil Rights Review reported four female detainees suffering miscarriages due to lack of adequate medical care, in addition to a rat infestation. With the possible evacuation of migrant workers being held there due to the storm, it's important to keep a close watch on the their condition and continue to call for full accountability when human rights are violated. |
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Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 11:20:41 AM EDT
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This past weekend, two Roma girls drowned on an Italian beach. As the Independent reports:
It was the sort of tragedy that could happen on any beach. But what happened next has stunned Italy. The bodies of the two girls were laid on the sand; their sister and cousin were taken away by the police to identify and contact the parents. Some pious soul donated a couple of towels to preserve the most basic decencies. Then beach life resumed.
The indifference was taken as shocking proof that many Italians no longer have human feelings for the Roma, even though the communities have lived side by side for generations.
"This was the other terrible thing," says Mr Esposito, "besides the fact of the girls drowning: the normality. The way people continued to sunbathe, for three hours, just metres away from the bodies. They could have gone to a different beach. It's not possible that you can watch two young people die then carry on as if nothing happened. It showed a terrible lack of sensitivity and respect."
The attitudes of ordinary Italians towards the Roma, never warm, have been chilling for years, aggravated by sensational news coverage of crimes allegedly committed by Gypsies, and a widespread confusion of Roma with ordinary, non-Roma Romanians, who continue to arrive. The Berlusconi government has launched a high-profile campaign against the community, spearheaded by the programme announced by the Interior Minister, Roberto Marroni, to fingerprint the entire Roma population.
What struck me about this story, other than the shockingly callous response of the beach-goers, was that it sound all too familiar. In our own country, we stand by as an entire population of migrants is de-humanized and criminalized. On the US-Mexican boder, there have been 117 deaths so far this year. The bodies pile up, while Americans turn a blind eye.
The word "illegal" has become not an adjective for a beaureaucratic process of gaining status, but rather an entire race of people who have been deemed less than worthy of humanity, kindness and compassion.
People die and we continue to sunbathe. |
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 22:16:54 PM EDT
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When it comes to reporting the individual stories of what happened to the 400 people caught up in the biggest worksite raid in the nation, Postville, Iowa, words are just not enough.Yet not enough video, which is stronger than words can ever be, has been produced to show the hardships left in the wake of Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) action.So when a new video arises that shows in greater detail what the women and children, who have been left behind in this tragedy, are going through, it's worth seeing over and over until we realize there has to be a better way.
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 15:29:53 PM EDT
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 Welcome to any readers of today's Washington Post article on Netroots Nation that may have found their way to The Sanctuary. Four of the Editorial Team members were able to attend the blogger convention in Austin, where we had the opportunity to network, present, and have some good 'ole Tejano fun.
The mission of this site says in part that "we believe that immigration is a vital part of maintaining a healthy and vibrant America, and has set this nation apart from all others since its inception." Speaking for myself, I've found the lack of the human rights aspect of reform in conversations to be appalling and unacceptable. That's why it brings me a Texas-sized smile to see outlets like the Washington Post, CNN and the Wall Street Journal take notice of our message, as well as our call for some clarity from the candidates on their policy stances.
Millions of families in the United States will be directly affected by the decisions of the next administration, which is why we, their advocates, seek substance to the platforms of the campaigns. The hardliners like to pretend that it's a no-brainer to start mass deportations since the current immigration system is so perfect, but the reality is that families are being ripped apart with children having to fend for themselves, human rights are being violated in the massive prison-for-profit industry that has seen an infusion of money, and border policy has created a DMZ-type zone in the desert southwest with growing numbers of border-crosser deaths still rising.
A ton of hard work is being done across the U.S. to remind the country of its immigrant roots and the need to respect the rights of all human beings regardless of citizenship status, and we hope that The Sanctuary will be an aide to better organizing and information-sharing among advocates - professional and those in the streets simply being.
Thanks for visiting, and we hope you'll consider becoming a member and contributing to this pro-migrant sanctuary on the web.
paz |
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 17:09:30 PM EDT
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Nativist Groups would have you believe that the U.S. Border is teeming with Mexicans waiting to cross over to the United States. Not so, says the highly respected Gallup Organization. The poll indicates that the overwhelming majority of Mexicans have no desire to emigrate, much less emigrate permanently to the U.S. The recently conducted Gallup poll found that when asked, "Ideally, given the opportunity, would you like to move permanently to another country, or would you prefer to continue living in this country?" only 21% of Mexicans responded affirmatively. Of this percentage only 46% indicated that they would like to emigrate to the United States. (The majority indicated a preference for Spain.) Given the cross-border familial ties between Mexico and the U.S., this is a remarkably small amount of Mexicans indicating a desire to emigrate to their northern neighbor. |
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Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 13:37:09 PM EDT
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( - promoted by Duke)
 Recently both leading presidential candidates have increased their outreach to Latino voters with appearances at various events sponsored by prominent Latino organizations. Not surprisingly, the topics of immigration and immigration reform have played a central role in this outreach effort.
As an issue where both candidates feel they exhibit some strength with Latino voters, they have both attempted to utilize this perceived strength to make inroads into what most believe will be a crucial voting block this coming November.
But what we have received from both candidates thus far are vague promises and pleasant platitudes about "A Nation of Immigrants."
This is a complex issue, and as the history of failed efforts at reform clearly shows, it will take more than quotes from Emma Lazarus to solve the problems with our failed current immigration system.
As our mission states, one of the chief goals of The Sanctuary is "the enactment of meaningful immigration reform that is practical, rational, fair and most of all humane."...and in order to enact such legislation, tough questions must be answered and problems dealt with.
Last month the Editorial Board of The Sanctuary requested both campaigns to take up this issue in a truly meaningful way and begin at answer those tough questions. We put together a survey addressing many of the specifics of the issue that have been long ignored by both the media and the candidates, and asked both campaigns to kindly get back to us.
We are still awaiting their responses.
We have currently re-sent the survey to both camps in hopes a receiving a timely response.
Additionally, we will be reaching out to third party candidates to contrast their stances on these issues so crucial to this entire "nation of immigrants."
View survey after the fold |
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Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 08:05:33 AM EDT
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The Pinky Show, lo-tech hand-drawn educational TV show, tackles immigration. In this show, Pinky asks Daisy for his take on what's really going on. Added bonus: Daisy tells us how to solve the whole problem in 5 minutes.
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Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:59:32 AM EDT
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| I am reading through the American Legion's report on "illegal" immigration and one thing struck me as particularly disturbing. It was their use of the acronym OTM. Though you may have seen it before you may not realize to the American Legion it means Other Than Mexican. Doing a little research I cannot find a similar acronym used for any other nationality. There's no Other Than Canadian, Other Than Russian and no Other Than American. What's more somebody took the time to add the new meaning of this acronym to the free online dictionary. Where is the humanity in chaining a woman, by both wrists, while she labored in agony? at Anti-BVBL. Also read The Flip Side of the Sign: Thumbs Up, Down or the Finger? about a man who drives around day labor sites toting a sign stating "deport them all." Nice. Obama's Listening to America Program at a Blog For Arizona. Hopefully this won't get in the way of Obama's Answering The Sanctuary's Questions Initiative. Satire of the Stupid at Zuky. Check out the hilarious cartoon in response to the New Yorker's recent cover. Most of the criticism I've seen directed at the image has construed the problem as being that only urbane cosmopolitan sophisticates will get it, with commenters hastening to add, "Oh of course I get it, but what about the ignorant yokels? Remember the philistines!" But that's really not how I see it. Because to me, those who claim to get this image are the unsophisticates who lack the cultural and artistic literacy to understand the proper meaning of the word "satire". It's not the same as "sarcasm". That's why we have two different words. |
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Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:13:23 AM EDT
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| First please check out Nezua's knock-out piece at The Unapologetic Mexican in The Conquest and Theft of América, Pt. 13. This piece uses the recent anti-immigrant law passed in Rhode Island, and subsequent raid, to illustrate the terrible treatment of people that are not immigrants - they're Indians. Here's a story about one of the migrants in Tuesday's Rhode Island raids who was detained, but later released, Sandra Diaz of Guatemala. The article, from the Providence Journal, is titled 'I am afraid … that they will deport me.' As we all know, you just don't hear selfish reasons for migrants risking so much to be here. In this article Sandra states: "When I first came to this country, I came with a visa and I didn't think of staying," she said. "But my husband is very sick with kidney problems, and I was able to get work here cleaning, so I can send him money [in Guatemala]." In yesterday's SanctuarySphere post I wrote that the ProAmerican rally, held in Morristown, NJ, last year is where I got my first taste of the anti-migrant insanity. It was at that point that I decided to start American Humanity. It was painfully disgusting what I saw there. My post on this day can be found here in A Change Of Heart - One Year After the ProAmerica Rally. |
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