Republicans Are Shooting Themselves in The Foot

The Nativists are notorious for ignoring any interpretation of numbers that might conflict with their views of immigrants as welfare leeching, anchor baby dropping, job stealing murderous pedophiles. But what really boggles my immigrant brain is that the Republican Party is so happy to go along with this that it is willing to ignore the fact that Latinos constitute one of the fastest growing voting groups in the United States.

Let me throw some statistics out there (Nativists cover your eyes now)...

• There are currently 12 million naturalized citizens eligible to vote
• There are currently 8 million legal permanent residents eligible for citizenship
• Latino voters are concentrated in primary states and electoral swing states

If Republicans think that their words and actions aren't insulting to immigrants, then they should read the following.

Through May of this year, more than half a million people had filed forms to become citizens — up 60 percent from last year, which was already substantially up from the year before.

Not all immigrants think alike on this issue. However, when the dialogue gets ugly and insults are thrown, you not only insult the undocumented, you insult their wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbors...

STOP THE RAIDS!

How can the Immigrant Community Protect itself?
A Public forum

Saturday, September 22nd 6:00 pm
Basement of Saint Augustine's church
10 Campfield Avenue
Hartford, CT

Speakers
Maximo Morales - Victim of a warrantless immigration arrest in Hartford
Father Thomas Mitchell - Pastor, St. Augustine's Church.
How can we prepare for the next ICE raid in Hartford before it happens?
Jason McGahan - Stop the Raids - Trinity College.
What is the purpose of the raids?
What are immigrants doing around the country to fight back?
Yessica Orbegozo - Educator on immigrants rights in case of raid

What is the context and purpose of immigration raids in Hartford and across the country? What are immigrants and their allies doing in other parts of the country to fight back?

Hartford has been key role to the nationwide assault on immigrants by acting as a testing ground for new police methods such as arresting immigrants in court buildings, denying their right to appeal and setting their bond too high to pay. Mayor Perez has welcomed ICE into Hartford, even referring to one sweep as a positive example of "an ongoing effort amongst local, state and national authorities." This forum will include a discussion of how the immigrant community and its allies can organize effectively against these attacks and win the full legalization for all that will eliminate the legal basis for the raids.

Sponsored by "Stop the Raids!" - Trinity College

For more information call 860-810-0253.

Migrant Deaths

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prides itself in announcing that fewer migrants are being detained at the U.S. - Mexico border. The increased patrol of more traditional crossing routes (such as San Diego and El Paso) has indeed decreased traffic in these areas. What ICE doesn't want to admit is the growing number of migrant deaths caused by the rerouting through dangerous desert areas such as the Sonora Desert. The record year of deaths was 2005 (472). This year will probably top that.
At the U.S. Border, the Desert Takes a Rising Toll (NYT)

Easy Targets

I suppose I should count myself lucky in that I am still so amazed every time I read about someone preying on the most vulnerable and disenfranchised in our society. The current immigration raids, local and state police enforcement of immigration law and subsequent racial profiling, all add to the growing anxiety and terror (yes, terror) in our communities. Unfortunately, there are those who seek to benefit from this fear of law enforcement. I've spoken with individuals (and groups) about the quickly eroding trust in police which deters immigrants (documented and undocumented) from reporting crime and volunteering as witnesses. This, in turn, makes them easier targets for criminals who know that the fear of being deported is often greater than the fear of being robbed. The following article is about a Massachusetts man impersonating a police officer in order to steal and intimidate immigrants. A more despicable version of this would be an actual police officer stealing from immigrants and threatening deportation.

Man accused in cop ruse to prey on immigrants

When I was an ESOL teacher, I regularly met and taught young adults who desperately wanted to go to college but couldn't. One case in particular really frustrated me. This young man had been living in the U.S. for 5 years and had graduated from a Massachusetts high school. He had worked at a Dunking Donuts for years and saving money for his college tuition. He was motivated, organized, bright and sweet. He was accepted to a program at Holyoke Community College but wasn't able to enroll because he had no Social Security Number.

He knew he wouldn't receive any financial aid because of this. He accepted that and was willing to pay out of pocket from his savings. Then he found out that he would have to pay out-of-state tuition even though he had been living and working in MA for years and had a MA High School Diploma. He was upset and frustrated, but determined. He would pay the higher tuition.

But then came the final insult. He was told by an administrator that he could enroll, take the classes, pay full tuition with no financial aid, but wouldn't receive his Diploma. I've spoken with other people, lawyers, organizations and even HCC administrators, and they all said that this last part was ridiculous and illegal. But by then it was too late. He went to live with a cousin in another state where he could attend college. Massachusetts lost a promising worker. And we lost a good neighbor.

Education and in-state tuition for undocumented residents is a crucial issue for our state and economy. At a time when politicians and economists are fretting over the inadequate skilled worker pool, to deny a motivated and bright young person an education is asinine. Hopefully this Kansas ruling is an indication of better news to come.

Ruling Keeps In-State Tuition For Illegal Immigrants in Kansas