Hidalgo County says YES to Immigration Reform!

That’s Javier Parra, an organizer with LUPE, appearing in front of the Commissioners’ Court of Hidalgo County to push for passage of a resolution in support of comprehensive immigration reform. Hidalgo County commissioners adopted this resolution and have confirmed their commitment to obtaining humane immigration reform. The commissioners realize the vital role immigrants play in our economic, social and cultural life in the Valley – including the $400 million that immigrants contribute to Texas as a whole. You can read the 1 page resolution by clicking here: Immigration Reform Resolution

A coalition of organizations with Equal Voice for America’s Families put together this resolution and successfully worked for its passage in Hidalgo County. Next, the Equal Voice network will be presenting a similar immigration reform resolution to Cameron County. Hopefully they too will sign on to affirm their support and symbolize the urgent need for immigration reform!

Read more over at The Monitor here: http://www.themonitor.com/articles/resolution-35211-court-support.html

In-state tuition for undocumented students: logical, economically-sound & humane

Today, The Monitor came out with a story on a recent lawsuit to challenge the Texas law allowing undocumented students access to in-state tuition. The article mentions both sides for and against the issue, but unfortunately many readers have decided to chime in with hateful “against” comments instead of actually trying to understand this complex issue that affects thousands of students in our country.

I want to take a minute to address these comments as straightforwardly as possible – I hope that readers will put away their bias for a few minutes and see this issue from a logical, economic and humane perspective.

First of all, let’s go over what the current law actually states since there seems to be a lot of confusion as to what’s being offered to undocumented students. The Texas law (House Bill 1403) allows undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition and ability to apply for financial aid if they qualify by meeting the following criteria:

1) graduated or the equivalent from a Texas high school
2) resident in the state for at least three years as of the date of high school graduation or receipt of the equivalent of a high school diploma
3) registration no earlier than the fall of 2001 as a student in a postsecondary institution
4) sign an affidavit stating the intent to file an application to become a permanent resident at the earliest possible opportunity.

So, it is clear that one has to meet a lot of standards in order to even be eligible for in-state tuition. Next, the key here is that most undocumented immigrants are in fact paying out of pocket to be able to meet that in-state tuition rate. Sure, some get a little bit of financial aid or scholarships if they’re lucky but most undocumented students, like most students in America, are working hard to pay their own way through college. Students aren’t getting a free education on anyone’s “expense” (a common angry comment in the article) and I can’t believe I still have to keep repeating this but: YES these students are also paying taxes (from obvious sales taxes to their income taxes).

What it logically comes down to is the fact that tuition rates (in-state v. out of state) should be based on residency, not citizenship. (Residency meaning how long you have lived in that particular state.) In this case, the law says that as long as the student has lived in the state for 3 years, they deserve to pay an in-state rate since they meet the standard of what ‘residency’ means. The argument that these undocumented Texan residents are somehow benefiting over non-Texan residents is false. In fact, a person from another state can look up standards on how to qualify for residency in Texas so they too can receive in-state tuition. For example, UT-Austin only requires that a person live in Texas for 12 months (meeting certain conditions) in order to establish residency to receive in-state tuition. It just goes again to show that tuition rates in Texas are rightly based on residency (how many years a person has lived in that state) rather than citizenship.

On top of all of that, making higher education more accessible and affordable for all students is an economically-sound goal. According to the American Association for State Colleges and Universities, “it would seem to be in states’ economic and fiscal interests to promote at least a basic level of education beyond high school to alien students, to increase their contribution to economic growth while reducing the prospect of dependence on public/community assistance.”

This is a complex issue folks. Most of these students were forced into this situation – their parents were just doing what they thought was best and didn’t anticipate these consequences. It’s not the students’ fault that they’re caught up in our broken immigration system without a path to legalization. Why should these students be punished for their parents’ actions or for the bureaucracy in our failed immigration system that has led us in this crisis? Why are we punishing students who are obviously working hard and trying to go to college to get a good job to help the economy and support their families? Further, why would we deport our brightest students – students that have been educated in the US public education system and have so much to contribute to our society?

If you want to get angry at the higher education system, let’s talk about ridiculous student loans or skyrocketing tuition rates or hardships in accessing scholarships and financial aid. But please, don’t blame immigrants for your education or financial woes. Remember, it’s logical to give students who have lived in the state of Texas for much of their lives ‘in-state’ tuition, it’s economically sound and it’s the right thing to do since these students had no say in their situation.

From DreamActivist.org

State of the Union and Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR)

In case you missed it, here’s what President Obama said regarding CIR in the State of the Union:

“And we should continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system – to secure our borders, enforce our laws, and ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nations.

In the end, it is our ideals, our values, that built America; values that allowed us to forge a nation made up of immigrants from every corner of the globe; values that drive our citizens still. Every day, Americans meet their responsibilities to their families and their employers. Time and again, they lend a hand to their neighbors and give back to their country. They take pride in their labor, and are generous in spirit. These aren’t Republican values or Democratic values they’re living by; business values or labor values. They are American values.”

I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed that President Obama’s speech barely mentioned immigration reform, or that even the mention of it came near the end of a long speech. Yet, I can say that I remain hopeful for the passage of CIR legislation. We cannot give up. This is just an indicator that we need to step up our game in demanding humane immigration reform from Congress. It’s a reminder that we need to work even harder and make even more noise to show our Members of Congress and the White House just how urgent immigration reform is to millions of families, and of course how important CIR is to the well-being of our economy.

Moving forward, here at LUPE we understand more than ever the need to mobilize our base while getting new folks involved with the most pressing civil rights issue of our time. One important event coming up is our Immigrant Rights convention in Austin on February 20th. Head on over to the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance site to get more details if you’re able to attend! We will be calling on our Senators and Reps. to seriously take the lead on immigration reform – we, the voters, are closely watching and demand action now.

I want to close with a quote from Howard Zinn (1927-2010) that has helped me stay hopeful during these troubling times, and I hope it inspires you to keep fighting the good fight:

“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places-and there are so many-where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”

Economic Benefits of Immigration to Texas

From the Immigration Policy Center:

NEW AMERICANS IN THE LONE STAR STATE
Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are Growing Economic and Political Force in Texas

Washington D.C. – The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Texas’s economy, labor force, and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers, and entrepreneurs. Immigrants accounted for nearly 1/10 registered voters in the state and more than 1/5 of all workers. With the state working towards economic recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of the Lone Star State.

Highlights from Texas include:

* Immigrants made up 16.0% (or 3,828,904 people) of Texas’s population in 2007, which is roughly the total population of Los Angeles, California.

* 30.9% of immigrants in 2007 (or 1,185,001 people) in Texas were naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.

* Latinos accounted for 36.0% (or 8,605,577) and Asians 3.4% (or 812,749) of Texans in 2007.

* The 2008 purchasing power of Latinos totaled $175.3 billion and Asian buying power totaled $33.5 billion in Texas in 2007.

* If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Texas, the state could lose $69.3 billion in expenditures, $30.8 billion in economic output, and approximately 403,174 jobs.

There is no denying the contributions immigrants, Latinos, and Asians make in Texas and the important role they will play in the state’s political and economic future. For more data on their contributions to the Lone Star State, view the IPC fact sheet in its entirety.

More than 200 Families attend Town Hall to talk immigration, census & economy

This past Saturday, more than 200 folks gathered at the Pharr Methodist Church to take part in a Town Hall put together by Equal Voice for America’s Families, a coalition of community groups in the Valley. Families attended to discuss issues they feel are most important to the well-being of working families.

What are these main issues affecting our Valley communities? Immigration, jobs, housing, education, and healthcare were the top priorities discussed, including the importance of the 2010 Census. In case you missed this amazing event, watch some of clips below…(most are in Spanish!)

Anyanse Garza of Southwest Workers Union spoke about the negative effects of the recession, workplace discrimination, and workers rights:

After discussing comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) and the different organizations involved in the effort, a LUPE member spoke to the crowd about how they can concretely get involved in the effort to win CIR, including texting “justicia” to 69866 for action alerts & by attending the Austin CIR convention in February:

Near the end of the town hall, the emphasis was on completing the 2010 Census and being “counted” in order to receive proper federal funding for schools, hospitals, worker resources, transportation needs, etc. Watch Martha Sanchez, LUPE Community Organizing Coordinator, talk about all the different ways the Census will affect the Rio Grande Valley.

In a surprise ending, a group of schoolchildren had drawn a mural to artistically show how the Census affects our communities and why it is so important to be “counted”. Watch one student explain the mural here. Here’s a picture of the students with an Equal Voice banner and their “Census: Todo el Mundo Cuenta” picture books:

Read more about the Town Hall in the Rio Grande Guardian article here: http://www.riograndeguardian.com/rggnews_story.asp?story_no=24

View more videos from the town hall here and more pictures here!

Texas State Board of Ed. to include Cesar Chavez!

In a huge victory, the State Board of Education has decided to accept César Chávez as part of the “required” curriculum to teach to fifth-graders. Just 2 days before the Board’s decision, LUPE & several groups were at the public hearing in Austin to testify before the Board to call for César Chávez to be included in 5th grade US History. The final vote will come in May but this is extremely great news as we can now more confidently head into that final vote knowing the board supports this measure.

It looks like the testimonies from several civil rights groups, concerned parents and individuals successfully convinced the Board about the importance of introducing Cesar Chavez to our 5th graders! Also according to the El Paso Times article:

“[The State Board] also added to the second-grade curriculum Thurgood Marshall, the nation’s first black Supreme Court justice, and Irma Rangel, the first Hispanic woman elected to the state Legislature.”

What good news to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Day!

LUPE leaders testify before Texas State Board of Education

What counts as part of U.S. History and who gets to be included in the books? If you leave it up to certain groups and individuals, the only things taught in American history would be the constitution, the founding fathers, and the notion of “American exceptionalism.” In other words, there would be no mention of America’s diversity, the civil rights movement, the farmworker & union movement, contributions by leaders of color to fight for equality, etc.

This is where we could be headed if we let the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) pass the current draft for social studies standards. While they might not be excluding folks like Cesar Chavez and Thurgood Marshall in curriculum altogether, it is clear (and unacceptable) that there are currently no Latino leaders and barely any women or other leaders of color in the required curriculum! This means that some leaders, like Cesar Chavez, are currently on the “such as” list for curriculum standards, meaning teachers don’t have to teach about him if they don’t want to or don’t have the time.

Knowing that this would most likely result in students missing out on the rich history of the farmworker struggle, LUPE staff and members including Martha Sanchez, Antonio Carrizalez and Jose Saldana made the long journey to Austin to testify before the SBOE to call for Cesar to be included in the “Required” list for 5th grade social studies.

Watch LUPE Organizer Martha Sanchez talk about the importance of teaching about Cesar Chavez, a non-violent role model and one especially relevant for children who face violence on a daily basis:

It was a little hard to hear, but near the end Board Member Rene Nuñez says that he will make every effort to include Cesar Chavez in the required curriculum!

Here’s LUPE member Jose Saldana’s testimony where he talks about the legacy of Cesar Chavez as an important civil rights leader who dedicated his life to improving American workers’ lives:

Also present were members from LULAC, the Multicultural Alliance for Social Studies Advocacy, the ACLU, Texas Civil Rights Project, and State Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso). The final vote will likely be in March so stay tuned on action items to make sure our students learn all aspects of American history and its rich diversity.

And take a few minutes to watch Rebecca Flores, retired UFW organizer, give her testimony here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT-zNeOsraA

Si se puede!

Friday round-up!

Here’s a round-up of major news from the past week. Enjoy and stay warm!

1. Immigration Policy Center has a new study out that shows how immigration reform will boost the economy. Legalizing undocumented immigrants could “add $1.5 trillion to the gross domestic product over the next 10 years.” Read the entire report here.

2. More unjust deportations: a Haitian man in New York is being deported for a felony he was convicted for 24 years ago and one that he already served 10 years in prison for. Since then he’s been involved as an immigrant rights activist, married an American citizen and is a father of four. How is his deportation possible? “Under retroactive immigration laws enacted in 1996, any immigrant convicted of a felony faces deportation.” Another story of millions to show the destruction of due process and civil rights and the separation of families due to nonsensical immigration law.

3. Here’s an inspiring story to show the strength of the immigration reform movement: 4 students are walking from Florida to DC to demand equal access to education and comprehensive immigration reform: http://trailofdreams.net/Who_are_the_walkers.html

**Event announcement:

WHAT: INTERFAITH VIGIL TO CLOSE WILLACY
WHEN: SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010
WHERE: WILLACY COUNTY PROCESSING CENTER. 1800 Industrial Dr., off Hwy 77, Raymondville, TX

BACKGROUND: Holding 3,000 detainees, the Willacy County Processing Center is the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) largest immigrant detention center. Since “Ritmo” opened, detainees have suffered sexual abuse, negligence in medical care, unhygienic facilities, spoiled and rotten food, inappropriate use of solitary confinement, and inadequate access to representation and services.

Immigration detention separates families and stands between noncitizens and the communities that provide them emotional, spiritual, and legal support. Tell MTC, Willacy County, and the Obama Administration that the conditions at Ritmo will not stand! Demand an end to family separation, mandatory detention, and deportation NOW!

Contact Cindy Johnson (mc2dogss [at] bcglobal [dot] net) for more info!

Equal Voice joins with the Guardian to Promote 2010 Census

From the Rio Grande Guardian, Mike Seifert (Network Weaver for the Equal Voice coalition in the Valley) writes the following:

BROWNSVILLE, Jan. 4 – Some 2,000 years ago the Roman government required a census of its peoples.

A young couple journeyed to the husband’s hometown of Bethlehem, so as to fill out the required forms. It was a difficult time; the best that the husband’s family would offer them for hospitality was a space in a stable. A baby was born, and Bethlehem was blessed, as was human history. St. Luke’s Gospel notes that angels sang and shepherds rejoiced.

The scripture makes no mention of this, but we can imagine that the Roman census officials were pleased as well, for Joseph’s family would have been recorded not as two, but three. A small fact, that one child, but, as we know, entirely significant.

The echo of Luke’s Christmas story follows us into a new decade, one in which the U.S. government counts its residents. A most important counting that will determine a multitude of strikingly important decisions, from the number of representatives in the House of Representatives to the amount of money that will be sent to fund schools, parks, and highways.

The federal government has recognized the Rio Grande Valley as a hard-to-count region, thereby acknowledging that in the past the census count was wrong, that there were far more of us here than were counted. The undercounting explains, at least in part, why the Valley has been underrepresented, under-resourced and underestimated.

Fortunately, every ten years there is another census, and thus another opportunity to get things right.

LUPE’s impact in 2009 & Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! 2009 has been a great year for social change and we wanted to share with our supporters the impact we have made this year. As a community organization, we are proud that we have continued to grow and expand our efforts organizing for social change. Check out some of what we’ve done in ‘09:

LUPE’s Impact in Social Services…

*5,500+ members reached through our membership services and benefits
*2.3 million dollars received in tax refunds with over 1000 tax returns filed at LUPE
*300 new citizens from our citizenship preparation class

LUPE’s Impact in Community Organizing…

*470 new leaders trained in local Colonias
*1200 supporters marched in honor of Cesar Chavez
*Outreach to 9 Valley cities for delegations with police chiefs on 287(g)
*Joined the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance & national coalition in solidarity with over 600 organizations

It’s truly thanks to supporters like you that we’re able to organize effectively. We will continue to need your help in 2010 as we push for passage of comprehensive immigration reform legislation. Thanks for reading and keep coming back to stay informed on the issues you care about!