Angel’s bright future turns into a nightmare

A promising young business student sits behind bars on an immigration hold, his once bright future unraveling into a nightmare.

Angel is scared and a million thoughts race through his mind as he sits contemplating the events of the previous night. As he was coming back from the bathroom at a restaurant a man began to throw racial slurs his way. Naturally, Angel became angry and in a burst of fury shattered the restaurant window. When he was unable to pay for the damage, the manager called the police. Before he knew it, Angel was detained with an immigration hold.

Once detained, a 48 hour immigration hold was placed on him; however, what was supposed to be two days in jail turned into three weeks for nothing more than a broken window. That is because he fell under Secure Communities. Secure Communities (S-Comm), is a federal program that has been expanded by the Obama administration to local and county police departments throughout the nation. This program has facilitated in the deportation of mass amounts of people. It has contributed to over 2 million deportations in Obama’s first term alone, which is more than the last four presidents combined. Just like many others, once Angel was detained, law enforcement officials took his fingerprints and sent them to ICE, whereupon ICE determined his immigration status.

In an effort to put an end to S-Comm in Texas, the Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance has written a letter to president Obama accompanied by a written and electronic petition, and a photo petition. Anyone can write their own message to Obama and take a picture with it in order to show the faces of those who have been or have the potential to be affected by this program.

Angel still awaits his court date with ICE which will determine whether or not he will be deported. Brought to the U.S. as a baby, Angel may be thrown into a country and a culture that he knows little about and may never be able to see his family again just because of a broken window. We now have an opportunity to take action on behalf of Angel and people like him by signing the petition and being involved in the photo petition.

Take action for Angel and people like him. Sign the petition now!

Print out the “End S-Comm” sheets , take a picture with your message and e-mail it to Colbie Devost. Colbie will upload the pictures to a blog that includes photos from across the state.

Thank you for your involvement in putting an end to S-Comm!

With Obama Administration Announcement, a Sprinkle of Justice

Today we feel a sprinkle of justice.

With the announcement by the Obama administration, immigrant youth in the RGV are feeling a refreshing moment of hopefulness. After years of organizing for the DREAM Act, we are finally seeing a change in policy at the highest levels of government concerning our undocumented youth brothers and sisters. This is a recognition of the value that undocumented youth bring to this nation. Youth are hearing from the President himself that their lives are valuable and that they deserve to stay–and that he is willing to take action to make that happen.

It is refreshing as a cool summer shower.

But make no mistake, DREAMers made this happen.

BREAKING: RITA responds to Obama Announcement on DREAMer deportations

(EL PASO, Texas) — The White House announced today that the administration will provide Deferred Action for some undocumented youth.

The Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance congratulates the undocumented youth whose leadership and bold action forced this announcement. DREAMers have been occupying Obama campaign offices for weeks demanding action. And today, the White House had no choice but to respond.

SECRETARY NAPOLITANO ANNOUNCES DEFERRED ACTION PROCESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES

June 15, 2012

WASHINGTON— Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced that effective immediately, certain young people who were brought to the United States as young children, do not present a risk to national security or public safety, and meet several key criteria will be considered for relief from removal from the country or from entering into removal proceedings. Those who demonstrate that they meet the criteria will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal, and will be eligible to apply for work authorization.

Seventh Annual Peace and Justice Gathering happening Feb 4th in Weslaco – Save the date!

People for Peace and Justice’s Seventh Annual Peace and Justice Gathering will be happening Feb 4th in Weslaco. If you’re interested in creating a better world for everyone, this is the place to be.

This is the gathering of progressive minds in the RGV, where cross fertilization happens between movements for justice and liberty, where ideas spread, where networks are strengthened, and where community is shared. Make plans now to attend!

Seventh Annual Peace & Justice Gathering
February 4, 2012

“The Year the World Woke Up! What’s Next?”

Keynote Speaker:
Justin Akers Chacón
Professor of U.S. History and Chicano Studies in San Diego, California. He has contributed to the book Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints and is the co-author of the book No One is Illegal: Fighting Racism and State Violence on the U.S.-Mexico Border with Mike Davis.

Also Featuring:
Peace Play Festival for Children and Youth
Led by Georgianna Duarte
Professor in Early Childhood Education at UTB
and
Workshops and Breakout Sessions
Labor Rights
The Death Penalty
U.S. Military Policy
And so much more!!!

Free Admission!! Free Lunch!! Free Workshops!!

This event is sponsored by People for Peace and Justice of the Rio Grande Valley, a coalition of persons and organizations opposed to violence, lies and greed that subvert democratic government and society. We try to model peace and tolerance within our association and in dealings with others. We come from diverse backgrounds– ages, races, ethnic groups, educational levels, religions and philosophies, political and sexual orientations. And we welcome opportunities to work with others who share our commitment to peace and justice.

10 biggest victories of the 99 percent in the 956 via occupymcallen.org

This has been a momentous year for the 99 percent in the Rio Grande Valley. From colonia residents finally winning relief for damages caused by Hurricane Dolly to fighting off anti-immigrant legislation, the organizing efforts led by working people have paid off big.

These victories have come largely as a result of people and organizations of different sectors joining together. While we might not always agree on everything, when we join forces to work for the things we do agree on, we are stronger for it. “Juntos pero no revueltos,” as leader Ramona Casas, of colonia organization ARISE says. That doesn’t mean we are mixed up or uniform. We have our differences and, used the right way, they make us stronger.

These victories are not in any specific order.

Colonia residents pose after winning a portion of Precinct 3 budget for installation of streetlights.

1. Colonia residents win streetlights for 10 Hidalgo County colonias. La Union del Pueblo Entero and ARISE

The vast majority of the Rio Grande Valley’s unincorporated neighborhoods are left in the dark nightly. This is beginning to change as colonia residents organize for safer, healthier communities, demanding streetlights be installed by their Hidalgo County Precinct officials. Thanks to these efforts, 10 colonias will see streetlights installed next year.

2. $14 million for drainage projects in Hidalgo County colonias. Equal Voice Network, Texas Low Income Housing and Texas Apple Seed

Hidalgo County Commissioners agreed to devote at least $14 million of Hurricane Dolly Disaster Recovery funds to colonias last month. The victory came as a result of the work of ARISE, LUPE, TOP, Proyecto Azteca and the rest of the Equal Voice Network’s housing and drainage team, who have organized with colonia residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Dolly. Colonia residents’ demand that disaster recovery funds go to colonias was backed by Texas Low Income Housing and Texas Apple Seed, who insisted that funding colonias was an absolute requirement for use of the federal funds.

Colonia children receive Christmas gifts thanks to local pharmacies

Children visit with Santa Claus at LUPE annual posada in Mercedes

Thanks to the generous donation of Richard’s Pharmacy as well as eight additional pharmacies, over four hundred colonia children received a Christmas blessing Saturday. Each year Richard’s Pharmacy sponsors a gift give-away and posada event at three different LUPE offices, where colonia children receive a gift and goodie bag, talk to Santa, and spend time with family and neighbors, celebrating the spirit of the holidays.

Special thanks to the leadership of Richard’s Pharmacy, who sought additional donations from local pharmacies on top of its own, this year we were able to give out more gifts than any year before. In all, nine pharmacies donated to the children: Family Care Pharmacy, Lino’s Pharmacy, Med Care Pharmacy, Lone Star Pharmacy, Ochoa’s Pharmacy, Fry’s Prescription Pharmacy, Saenz Pharmacy, Med-Aid Pharmacy, and Richard’s Pharmacy.

San Juan area family receive gifts from Santa

Colonia residents are some of the poorest, yet hardest working families in the Rio Grande Valley. Between paying bills, housing costs, food and other expenses, for many, Christmas may not come this year. When they join with LUPE, however, colonia residents gain the tools to overcome many of the barriers keeping them in poverty. Our yearly Christmas posadas are just one way that LUPE helps colonia residents live a little better and keep up their spirits while they work toward their American dream.

Our gratitude and appreciation goes out to the independent pharmacies, and especially Richard’s Pharmacy, for helping give these children a special Christmas this year.

Check out facebook and flickr for all the beautiful, bright faces of the children and their parents!

Take one worry off school children’s minds this year

Make a donation toward LUPE's school supplies drive and help colonia children start the year off on the right foot. Click here to donate now.

When I was a kid, the start of the school year was always stressful. Not because of the new kids and teachers I’d have to meet. Or the new courses I’d have to take. Of course that was hard, but I knew I’d have my friends to make easing into the year a little smoother.

No, the reason the beginning of the year was so stressful for me was because it was a reminder of how poor I was. While everyone came to school decked out in their new, tax-free weekend clothing, with their fancy trapper-keepers and cool pens, me and my siblings couldn’t even afford everything on our school supplies list. For us Kleenex was a luxury item. And we were more concerned with whether we’d be sent home for having ripped jeans than what the brand of those jeans were. There was no doubt I’d be given a hard time for not having the proper school supplies or for wearing clothes that didn’t fit–by teachers, principles and other students alike.

That’s why it gives me great joy to announce that LUPE is launching a school supplies drive to help kids in the colonias with their school supplies this year.

While we organize to tackle the wider underlying problems that will give colonia children access to quality education in the future, right now we can provide for their basic educational needs through our school supplies drive. With donated supplies in their children’s hands, parents will be able to worry about buying the additional supplies or clothing items they otherwise couldn’t afford.

If you can, help a kid start school with one less worry this year by making a small $5 donation today.

Alternative Break Students Give a Helping Hand

Students from UTPA and Grinnell College building relationships through human knot activity

Every year, students from colleges across the nation come to the Valley to volunteer with LUPE and to learn more about issues along the Texas-Mexico border. Visitors come from as close as UTPA in Edinburg to as far away as Grinnell College in Iowa to get firsthand experience learning about immigration, border communities, economic justice and much more.

This year, students came from University of Miami, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Vanderbilt. Students helped flyer in the colonias, attended house meetings, and helped prepare for the annual Cesar Chavez March. The students visiting from the University of Miami had a special privilege this year: giving back to a family that has given so much to visiting students and the union year after year.

Organizing with LUPE, colonia residents see change

Residents of colonia Buena Vida with Organizer Javier Parra and leader Francisco Marinez point to recently repaved street

In recent months, various victories have been achieved for the colonias where LUPE works in the area north of Mission and Alton.

The residents of the colonias Buena Vida, Mi Suerte, Eduardos 2, and La Homa Meadows have seen what can be achieved when organizing with LUPE.

“In each house meeting, 20 to 39 people have come together to improve their community,” says organizer Javier Parra.

One street in colonia Buena Vida was repaved. Colonia Mi Suerte now has street signs for the security of the children and a few vacant lots were cleaned. Potholes have been filled in colonias La Homa Meadows and Eduardos 2 which have only recently joined LUPE.

Mrs. Silva of colonia Mi Suerte says: “We didn’t know that this could be accomplished but with the help of LUPE and its organizer who has instructed us in order to have a united front and in that way bring positive change for our families.”

These improvements and more will be shared with colonia leaders from across the county at LUPE’s Colonia Residents Summit, February 22, where leaders will come together to create a road map for the fight to gain dignified living conditions in all Hidalgo County colonias.