Friday, December 29, 2017

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Some Democrats Join Deportation Caucus


"Senate Dems threw undocumented youth under the bus AGAIN. There are enough votes now to extended government funding to January 19th with some Dem votes. In the meantime, more and more Dreamers are losing their protection," reports Erika Andiola, undocumented American and Political Director of Our Revolution.

Who is responsible? The Deportation Caucus: 
  • Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN)
  • Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
  • Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
  • Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)
  • Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)
  • Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-MO)
  • Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
  • Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) 
  • Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)
  • Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
  • Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)
  • Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NV)
  • Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) 
  • Sen. Chris Coons (D-CT)
January 19th may be the last opportunity to force the DREAM Act before March 5, when all DACA protections expire. Shame on the Democrats who caved, but we'll remember what they failed to do and we'll keep on fighting.
And, of course, the entire Republican majority,

To the organizers, the activists, the supporters who fought back, thank you a thousand times.

To the Dreamers whose futures hang in uncertainty, we are are with you. The struggle continues.
In solidarity,

Brandon Rey Ramirez
DSA Immigrants’ Rights Committee Co-Chair

Los Angeles


Duane Campbell
DSA national Immigrants’ Rights Committee Co-Chair
Sacramento 

Congress Does Not Pass Dream Act !


After thousands of undocumented youth mobilized in D.C., and
After the American public rallied in support across the country, and
After 7 brave DACA holders, myself included, spent 6 days in jail, on a hunger strike, and risked deportation,
Congress has failed to pass a clean Dream Act this year, effectively voting to deport us.
Tonight, Senator Schumer led the Senate Democrats to vote on a spending bill to fund the government without a Dream Act -- even after promising time and time again that he would “protect Dreamers” and attach the Dream Act to any legislation [1]. Senator Schumer and the Democrats failed to uphold their commitments, even though this was the best opportunity to do so. They say they are with us, but once again -- we are being asked to wait.
Our community has been waiting over 20 years. Politician after politician promises us protection to win our votes, and we continue to put all of our hope in them, and time and time again -- at the last minute -- they tell us we must wait. But we are saying Ya Basta! Enough is enough!
Over the next few days and months, you will hear all sorts of excuses for this failure -- that there is a chance for something to pass in January. But January will become February, and then February will become March. 

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Republicans discuss a "Deal" on DACA

SENATORS EYE DACA DEAL IN JANUARY: "Top senators and White House officials are laying the groundwork for a major immigration deal in January to resolve the fate of young undocumented immigrants whose legal protections were put in limbo by President Donald Trump," write POLITICO's Seung Min Kim, Heather Caygle and Elana Schor. 
"At a Tuesday afternoon meeting with nearly a dozen senators deeply involved in immigration policy, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly pledged that the administration will soon present a list of border security and other policy changes it wants as part of a broader deal on so-called Dreamers, according to people who attended the meeting," POLITICO reports. "The plan could come in a matter of days, senators said."
"About a half-dozen senators have been negotiating a bipartisan package prompted by Trump's decision to kill the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an Obama-era executive action that granted work permits to nearly 800,000 undocumented immigrants who came here as minors," the trio report. "Yet the senators could not fully flesh out a deal before they knew what Trump was willing to sign."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday dismissed the idea that the Senate could grapple with DACA-related legislation before the end of the year. Congress needs to pass a spending bill by Friday to avoid a government shutdown. "No, we'll not be doing DACA ... this week," McConnell said. "That's a matter to be discussed next year. The president has given us until March to address that issue. We have plenty of time to do it." DACA enrollment will begin to expire in large numbers by March, according to the timeline crafted by the Trump administration. 
The prospect of a January bargain could give lawmakers cover if they opt to ignore DACA for now. But it isn't certain Democrats will go along. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer "put Republicans on notice Tuesday that they shouldn't count on Democratic votes for a short-term funding package that includes just some of Democrats' priorities - such as children's health insurance - while leaving immigration for next year." More from POLITICO's Kim, Caygle and Schor here.
From Politico

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

DACA Set back

DACA ON THE BACK BURNER: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell enumerated a list Monday of "important tasks" he hopes to tackle this week, and the DACA program didn't make the cut, POLITICO's Sarah Ferris reports. Congress needs to pass a spending bill by Friday to avoid a government shutdown, and some Democrats hoped to use the must-pass legislation as the vehicle for a DACA fix. But President Donald Trump told Republican senators last month that he didn't want to deal with so-called "Dreamers" in a spending bill, and the message apparently got through. On Monday, McConnell cited the need to fund children's healthcare, to shore up natural disaster recovery, and to stabilize Obamacare insurance exchanges, among other matters, but he steered clear of immigration.
Even without DACA, it's not certain the two sides will strike a deal, Ferris reports. "Shortly after McConnell spoke on Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused him and House Speaker Paul Ryan of canceling the latest round of talks to fund the government past Friday night - suggesting a rocky week ahead," writes Ferris. The Senate leaders, along with their counterparts in the House, have been meeting for weeks to discuss a two-year spending measure that would raise spending caps for defense and domestic programs. "That agreement, which sources have said is within reach, would likely include some of these long-simmering issues on McConnell's to-do list," writes Ferris. 
Democrats have backed away from threatening a shutdown over DACA, but they haven't abandoned efforts to pass a bill this year. "Schumer said Monday that he is still pushing for a separate immigration deal to be attached, providing protections for so-called Dreamers coupled with additional border security," Ferris reports. "Several liberal Democrats have threatened to vote against a funding bill without a fix for the young undocumented immigrants, even as House Republicans have demanded that it be separate from spending talks." 
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Monday that a DACA deal wouldn't be part of a spending bill, but that the issue wouldn't be abandoned. "We really do believe that [DACA] is something that can be solved and there's ongoing discussions to try to come up with that," he told reporters, adding that it was "unrealistic" to think they could have tackled the issue along with taxes and other spending priorities. More from POLITICO here.
From Politico 

Sunday, December 17, 2017

International Day of Migrant - Dec 18

On December 18, the international community recognizes and celebrates the rights of migrants around the world. This year, 2017, marks the 27th anniversary of the UN's International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (commonly referred to as the Migrant Worker’s Convention or Migrant Rights Convention). It was approved by the UN General Assembly on Dec. 18, 1990.
Let's honor International Migrants Day with a call to action to lift up and respect human rights of all migrants, and to commit to challenge and end all forms of racism and xenophobia. 2016 was a horrific year in terms of the increased flow of migrants "in vulnerable situations" and the rise of hateful, anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions. We continue to call for the recognition and respect and human rights at international borders, and urge an immediate end to the detention of migrant children and families. 
You can see more information on the issue of border justice here. Go here to learn more about the international initiative to recognize human rights at international borders.
The Convention affirms the human rights of all migrants, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, and recognizes that migrants are men, women, children, and families – not just economic commodities. In 2003, the Convention "entered into force"; today, 51 countries have ratified or acceded to the Convention.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Right Now : DACA Recipients Risk Arrest in Washington, D.C.


Right now, I am one of 7 DACA recipients risking arrest on Capitol Hill demanding that Congress pass a clean Dream Act as part of the year-end spending bill.

The plan is that Erika, Belen, Juan Carlos, Hector, Barbara, Li and I refuse to identify ourselves - attempting to remain in jail - until Congressional leaders confirm that they will block any spending bill without protection for Dreamers.

Over 3 months have passed since the White House repealed DACA, and Congress says there’s no urgency to act by the end of the year. But every day the Dream Act does not pass, undocumented youth are at risk of detention and deportation. Thousands have already lost their work permits, jobs, and sense of safety.

This is it. We have until December 22nd to ensure Congress passes a clean Dream Act and grants permanent protection to undocumented youth as part of the spending bill. And with brave DACA recipients risking deportation in D.C., we are building the momentum to make that possible!
But to win, we need to make tons of noise and demand #NoDreamNoDeal. All the politicians who claim to “stand with the Dreamers” must do more -- they must commit to rejecting any spending bill that does not include the Dream Act.
With hope,
Cata Santiago







Monday, December 11, 2017

CSU Sacramento DACA Students

Thursday, December 07, 2017

La policía arresta a por lo menos 200 activistas durante protestas en EE...

Dreamers Arrested This AM in Washington : Things You Can Do

DSA Stands With DACA

Dreamers Arrested This AM in Washington

The deadline that Trump has given to congress to act on a fix to DACA is March, 5th of 2018, however for many DACA recipients that will be far too late as DACAs will begin expiring on that date. We must take action to defend DACA.
The Democratic Socialists of America and the national DSA Immigrant Rights’ Committee is proud to join the Our Dream Coalition in partnership with Our Revolution and the Seed Project of Movimiento Cosecha. The Our Dream Coalition has launched "Fight for Our Dream," a nation-wide campaign led by Dreamers which seeks to pass the DREAM Act and fight for permanent protection and respect for undocumented youth, without creating harmful conditions for the rest of the undocumented community.
Members of the Our Dream Coalition are taking action this week to ensure protected status for Dreamers across the country by defending DACA. There were 32 occupations of Senators and Congresspersons offices in 20 states.

Undocumented youth were just arrested at the U.S. Capitol for speaking out at the Visitor’s Center to bring attention to the DREAM Act. They took nonviolent direct action in Washington DC, calling on our representatives to provide permanent protection for all undocumented youth before the end of the year.
Here are three things you can do to support this vital effort of  undocumented youth who are risking detention and deportation by taking nonviolent direct action in support of a Clean DREAM Act:

Step 1: Amplify the actions on social media RIGHT NOW. Follow and share posts with the hashtags #OurDream and #NoDreamNoDeal. Find content at fightforourdream.org.

Step 2: Call your members of congress. Call your representative and senators RIGHT NOW and tell them to vote NO on any year-end spending bill that does not include a clean DREAM Act.  Dial the United States Capitol switchboard at (202224-3121

Step 3: Organize a local solidarity protest. Call some friends, wrangle some folks, make some "No Dream, No Deal" signs, and show up at the office of your member of congress to let them know they should pass the DREAM Act now. 

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Dreamers Disrupt Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

This morning I disrupted the Macy's Day Parade in NYC with to demand permanent protection, dignity, and respect for my community. We are going to do whatever it takes for our right to live in the country we call home.
We are organizing National Days of Action on December 4th and 5th and a mass mobilization in Washington, DC on December 7th and 8th to continue the fight for #OurDream -- and win permanent protection for young undocumented immigrants.
We are your classmates, your coworkers, and your neighbors. We are not just the future of this country, but we are also the present workers that it depends on. We are millions of young undocumented students and workers who are the backbones of our schools, industries, and communities.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Thank a Farm Worker

This Thanksgiving thank a farm worker

Happy Thanksgiving. We want to extend our warm thanks to you for being our loyal supporter and helping farm workers. As our families prepare to gather around the Thanksgiving table, we want to ask everyone to take a second to thank the men and women who labor to put the food on our Thanksgiving tables, and whose labor feeds us all year long. These hard working people labor day after day behind the scenes in heat, cold and rain to harvest the food that ends up in supermarkets and eventually on your table.
Join us in recognizing them and letting them know we appreciate everything they do, by signing the online Thanksgiving card our organizers will share with our members at their various farms and dairies. Please take an extra 30 seconds and add your own personal message.
UFW members are marking this Thanksgiving holiday season with a campaign they launched at their latest gathering of worker leadership. Members from Coachella, Ventura County, San Joaquin Valley, Monterey County, Sonoma County, and Oregon and Washington states have taken their message about the benefits of having a union contract out to their communities and social media. “From Our Hands to Your Tables” highlights their stories and the work they do every day.
To follow this campaign go to: https://www.facebook.com/unitedfarmworkers/ and https://twitter.com/UFWupdates or look for our #ThankAFarmWorker and #WeFeedYou hashtags on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Friday, November 17, 2017

Call Congress- Demand a Clean Dream Act

See post  and photo below:  Undocumented and Unafraid.

 "I am doing this because we need change in our immigration system and we will no longer be ignored. We are not victims, we are warriors.
Now more than ever I need you to be in this fight with me. Call your Senators, call your Representatives, and demand a Clean #DreamActNow! Do it for the thousands of undocumented youth who don’t know what is going to happen to them in the next few months.
Send me your love and your rage.
Abrazos,
Belen
#UndocumentedUnafraidAndUnapologetic"


Are you inspired by Belén’s example? By her courage and clarity and commitment to her cause? Are you ready to contact Congress now? Send them emails and then call the Congressional Switchboard 202-224-3121 to tell your elected officials to pass a Clean DREAM Act.

Call these people:



Paul Cook (CA-08) 
Website
Contact
1222 Longworth House Office Building
(202) 225-5861 

Darrell Issa (CA-49)
Website
Contact
2269 Rayburn House Office Building
(202) 225-3906 

Devin Nunes (CA-22)
Website
Contact
1013 Longworth House Office Building
(202) 225-2523 

Ed Royce (CA-39)
Website
Contact
2310 Rayburn House Office Building
(202) 225-4111 

Mimi Walters (CA-45)
Website
Contact
215 Cannon House Office Building
(202) 225-5611 



Sent to you by the Immigrants’ Rights Committee of DSA.
Also:  See Democratic Left post today.   It is an introduction to a piece by David Bacon.   http://www.dsausa.org/migration_labor_and_u_s_policy
 The linked articles are left analysis of migration and the role of U.S. policy.