Undocumented Activists Follow LGBT Tactics
Great piece on how the DREAM movement has brought together different advocacy tactics. [caption id="attachment_1303" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="On hand to exhort the undocumented youths on their walk across the nation is Filipino native Jose Antonio Vargas, a former Washington Post journalist who came out as an undocumented immigrant in 2010."][/caption] On a lovely spring day, Nicholas Gonzalez gathered on the University of California (Berkeley) plaza with four other activists before embarking on their 3,000-mile, eight-month walk across the country to increase awareness a
Sea change for immigration politics
An interesting opinion piece by Politico on the change of immigration politics. [caption id="attachment_1294" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Politicians are finally catching up to demographic reality."][/caption] Not so long ago, conservatives could use anti-immigrant positioning to rally their base and as a political wedge against moderates. Progressives, meanwhile, could promote pro-immigration policies — but couldn’t gain leverage with moderates or against conservatives. So conservatives’ anti-immigrant legislative agenda set the terms of the national debate. But t
It’s More Complicated Than “Legal vs. Illegal”: An Open Letter to Ruben Navarrette
Interesting take by a fellow DREAMer and immigration reform advocate. [caption id="attachment_1283" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Prerna Lal is a third year law student at The George Washington University Law School. She is a board director at Immigration Equality and works as a law clerk for a Washington, D.C. immigration firm Benach Ragland LLP."][/caption] New America Media, Commentary, Prerna Lal, Posted: Jul 10, 2012 Editor's Note: Is the term "illegal immigrant" a slur? Last year New America Media asked the media serving U.S. immigrant communities what term th
Why ‘illegal immigrant’ is a slur
An interesting read on how 'illegal immigrant' is a slur and how the Supreme Court took this into account regarding SB1010 in Arizona. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640" caption="A supporter of Arizona's immigration policy pickets outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington in April."][/caption] Editor's note: Charles Garcia, who has served in the administrations of four presidents, of both parties, is the CEO of Garcia Trujillo, a business focused on the Hispanic market. He was named in the book "Hispanics in the USA: Making History" as one of 14 Hispanic role mod
“Deferred Action” for DREAM Act – Eligible Youth Announced by President Obama
I didn't think this week could get any better! http://eosdesigns.com/amanda/ With barely any time to catch my breath, and barely any time to digest the joy I felt after seeing yesterday's TIME magazine cover, my eyes blinked in disbelief earlier today, as I read Janet Napolitano's announcement on "deferred action" and later watched as President Obama addressed the nation from the White House Rose Garden and announced the new policy. But what does "deferred action" actually mean for undocumented youth? The Center for American Progress' Immigration Team published this explanatory b
WHOA!! Check out this month’s TIME magazine cover story and pic!
I don't even know what to say...except to tell you that I interviewed Jose Antonio Vargas for the documentary...and he was a GREAT interview! how can i get money quick And since a picture is worth a thousand words, consider this part and parcel of my 1,045 word essay:
Pennsylvania DREAMers Making a Difference
A Daily Pennsylvanian article reports on the march for immigrant rights, joined by activists from the DreamActivist Pa. chapter, that took place in Philadelphia yesterday. From the article: "Rep. Tony Payton (D-Phila.) of the 179th Legislative District who introduced the Pennsylvania DREAM Act — which would offer undocumented high-school graduates in-state tuition for Pennsylvania state colleges under specific conditions — also made an appearance at the event. “We organized this event to call out President Obama for not owning up to his word and continuing to deport indivi
Great NPR Series on Latinos
Hi all...just wanted to let you know about a great series on NPR (click on the pic to go to the series): 2 Languages, Many Voices: Latinos In The U.S. payday short term loan Hope you enjoy!
Are the States Moving the Feds to Action on Immigration Reform?
Shortly after the DREAM Act was historically passed by the House in December of last year (but stalled in the Senate) I wrote about this phenomenon. I was then of a mind that it would only present problems (which it has) but later (August, 2011) amended my opinion to the following: ...there may be a silver lining in this cloud: I am hoping that the pressure being created at the State level, will increase pressure on Congress and the Administration to do something at the Federal level. In the weeks subsequent to that post, there seems to be general agreement that the states are actin
Second Half of California DREAM Act Jumps Major Hurdle
The LA Times reports today that AB 131 (the other half of the California DREAM Act) has jumped a major hurdle and has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. This means that the bill is one step closer to becoming law in the state of California, to which Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) said that he "expected the bill to pass the Senate and Assembly next week and land on the governor's desk soon after." If AB 131 passes, as Assemblyman Cedillo predicts, undocumented students in California will have access to Cal Grants as well as other forms of public financial aid t