The Never Ending Battle...

Much has changed with regards to immigration. Yes, there a public uproar against
Arizona's SB 1070, and when its controversial parts were blocked in a court ruling,
conservative America was upset. Yet, this heated battle continues to show up in the
daily headlines. The federal goverment continues to face the issue at once, and to
the criticisms from both sides of the issue, nothing is being resolved. To keep
pro-immogrants happy, the federal government filed a lawsuit to challenge SB 1070.
In keeping anti-immigrants, some what happy, the government approved more money to
"secure" the border. It is ridiculous that the government feels it is proper to sweep
such issue under the carpet. In a national view point, anti-immigration laws are
multiplying, huntin for immigrants in all possible manners. Immigration is also to be
one of the most important issues in the upcoming mid-term elections. We understand
that democrats and republicans are doing little to construct a middle ground. But
let's hope that some commen sense enter the brains of the people running the government.

OPINION: THE IMMIGRATION HUNT IN ARIZONA FIRES UP! SB 1070

As broken as the immigration system is in the U.S., it angers me that the president who promised to do something about this issue, has not done anything. I feel like immigrants are being hunted for, like wild animals. The state of Arizona has just passed a new law, Senate bill 1070, which gives police officers the right to stop and question anyone who they have the "reasonable suspicion" is in the country illegally. Three other states currently await the proposal of similar laws: Oklahoma, Georgia, and Virginia. It requires that all government employees (teachers, doctors, etc.) turn in people who may be suspects of being immigrants. Anyone who hires an immigrant, or protects one, are subject to the breaking of the law. I am furious by such laws and I find an injustice that the government has the right to racially profile people. so that means that all people who are brown, look Mexican, and like ALIENS, need to watch out because the police is coming after you. It is upsetting to speak with such sarcasm, but that is the status of the country and immigration.    


photo courtesy of: nydailynews.com

SILENCE NOT ALLOWED!

Editing by me. Photo by me. JV2010

MCDONALD'S & IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS TARGET EMPLOYEES

Last weekend, on Friday March 26, immigration officials raided various McDonald’s throughout the state of Arizona (Scottsdale, Tempe, and Mesa). 21 employees were arrested in Phoenix, and 30 others are still under investigation.

 The owner of this chain, Richard Coulston, was also raided at his mansion. However, he was no arrested. Television stations crowded the scene, and saw as employees hugged and cried. 

Wishing the best to those employees who have been impacted by, once again, the broken immigration system of the U.S. 

By the way, another reason why not to eat at McDonald's, other than it being very unhealthy.   

Image courtesy of: http://brucewagner.wordpress.com/

ICE SETS GOALS - OBAMA BETRAYS PROMISES MADE

The Los Angeles Times reported on March 31, that the head of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement is being called on his actions.

"The agency charged with enforcing the nation's immigration laws is systematically deceiving the president and the American public," said Deepak Bhargava, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Community Change.

ICE stated that they are falling behind a proposed goal of 400,000 deportations per year. In the L.A., advocates for immigration reform are arguing that President Obama has betrayed his promises of enforcement actions. Obama had originally stated that ICE would seek criminals and exploitative employers. However, his promises are being broken because homes continue to be broken, jobs are being raided and those being removed from the country have no criminal history. 

Photo Courtesy of: http://fairimmigration.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/immigration-reform-cartoon.jpg

THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THINGS:

NO on WHITMAN or POIZNER!

The Governor race has begun in the state of California, and with the much anticipated fight for IMMIGRATION REFORM, let's see what they have to say... Conclusively, both republican candidates strongly oppose immigration reform.

In in opinion editorial written for the L.A. times by Whitman she says, "While I am a strong proponent of legal immigration, I am 100% opposed to granting amnesty to immigrants who entered the country illegally. It is the wrong policy for California, it is the wrong policy for America, and it is grossly unfair to those immigrants who have followed the law to obtain legal status." She reinforces the e-verify system, the crackdown on immigrant sanctuary cities like San Francisco, an increase in border patrol and the reimbursement for costs for incarcerated immigrants. To read her entire Opinion visit: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-whitman27-2010mar27,0,7923131.story

Like Whitman, Poizner also rejects amnesty or any law to benefit immigrants. "Illegal immigration is another matter entirely. With the state budget in tatters, millions of residents out of work and a state prison system strained by massive overcrowding, California simply cannot continue to ignore the strain that illegal immigration puts on our budget and economy. Illegal aliens cost taxpayers in our state billions of dollars each year. " Poizner says that the immigration issue is not only a responsibility of the federal government but also the state. He argues that in-state tuition for immigrant students needs to end, the elimination of state services given to immigrants, an increase of border patrol through the National Guard, the end of sanctuary cities (like S.F.), and putting an end to the illegal workforce. 

To read his entire Opinion visit: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-poizner27-2010mar27,0,5816792.story

I REJECT BOTH CANDIDATES & THEIR VIEWS!!! WITH REPUBLICANS IN OFFICE, WE MOVE BACKWARDS AND NOT FORWARD!!!

Photos Courtesy of sacbee.com & hoguenews.com

MARCH 21, DAY OF ACTION IN PHOTOS - NEWS MEDIA

Photo courtesy of The New York Times

 Photo courtesy of Mercurynews.com

 Photo courtesy of  Eastday.com

Photo courtesy of Longislandpress.com

Photo courtesy of The L.A. Times

MARCH FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

Sunday March 21, was a day of action in the country's capital. Immigrants and advocates alike filled the streets in public demonstration. With an urgent immigration reform needed, communities are trying to pressure President Obama to get some type of legislation going. Obama responded by saying that he will do everything in his power to get a bipartisan deal this year.

Photo courtesy of The New York Times

WHERE DID IMMIGRATION GO!?!

As I return this late February, early March, I begin to re-examine the issue of Immigration... Among the many questions that come to mind are: why is President Obama de-prioritizing the Immigration Agenda? What is the opposing side arguing about now? How much have the supporters advanced? and what is happening to our Immigrant population? Stay tuned...

img source: http://socgeo.ruhosting.nl/html/images/usa-mexico-border.jpg

WHAT WE FIND: AT THE BORDER

ENRIQUÉ CHAGOYA

Mexican Painter & Print-maker

It is hard to find nowadays artists whose focus is immigration. While doing some research I came across one of Mexico's gifts, Enriqué Chagoya. Chagoya is a Mexican painter & print-maker, born in Mexico City in 1953. Raised by an Indian wet-nurse, his paintings transcend his respect, love and appreciation for Mexico's Indigenous peoples and their histories. In 1977, he immigrated to the U.S. with his wife. Living his own experience as an immigrant, Chagoya has eliminated the mental borders that separate people, and has placed them on paper and canvas. His art transcends messages of social and political activism, and demonstrates a high degree of intellectuality. Beyond his skill, I fell in love with his messages about immigration, the nightmare, and its dark side.

 

Bottom:  Crossing I, 1944. Acrylic and Oil on Paper. 

Top: Friendly Cannibals.