NAACP & OTHERS JOIN THE MOVEMENT

With the end of the Health Care buzz, Immigration lingers around with much heated debate coming its way. 

The "Latino-led movement" of immigration, is now joined by other diverse groups. Approaching the 2010 elections, groups of Asian American and Pacific Islanders Congress people, and various groups, such as the NAACP, National Association for Advancement of Colored People join the new face of the immigration movement.  

Among other groups are: Caribbean Americans, labor unions, evangelical churches, businesses and law enforcement. All working harder than before, and hoping to fix laws affecting the immigrant community.  

At the core of immigration, this issue is not only about Latinos. Immigration in the United States is global, consisting of immigrants from Africa, Asia, Russia, etc. 

attached article: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20091129/letters/letters2.html

image: http://americasvoiceonline.org/page/-/images/immigration_reform_now.jpg

Sueños Humedos/ Wet Dreams

JUAN CARLOS MACIAS

Macias' art is described, as if the people in his paintings have been pulled out from reality, and their expressions demonstrate something indescribable. His characters seem to not suffer much. Their actions, if any, are every minimal and absurd. As a painter, he can be described as an Expressionist. [Taken from an excerpt by Maria Minera]. Macias studied Architecture and Plastic Arts at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico and Technical Graphic Arts and Painting at Los Angeles Valley College.

     What I loved about his art work, is that he transcends indescribable human emotions. Their expressions, or lack of, make us think about what his characters are actually feeling. In his Immigrant Experience series, Juan Carlos provides a painting titled Sueños Humedos/ Wet Dreams. The painting speaks for itself. 

Sueños Humedos/ Wet Dreams; Juan Carlos Macías

COLLEGEBOARD: INSPIRING MINDS

 
This past spring, the College Board released a report, "Young Lives on Hold: The College Dreams of Undocumented Students." In this 32 page report, you will find a demographic on immigrants, the barriers of attending college for undocumented students, the DREAM Act, among many other topics... This study, "calls for a humane and comprehensive resolution to the legal barriers that hinder undocumented students from going to college and participating fully in society. It promotes the DREAM Act as a bipartisan policy solution that would open the door to college for tens of thousands of students. The College Board is committed to expanding educational opportunities for this segment of our nation's youth, who have the potential to make significant contributions to the economy, democracy, and society in general."

Please take a moment to review this study and report conducted by the College Board:

http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/young-lives-on-hold-college-board.pdf

A DREAM DEFERRED... DOES IT EXPLODE?

Recently, while trying to locate a short film on the DREAM ACT to show my viewers, I was having some trouble. However, I came across a wonderful site, http://adreamdeferred.org/. Immediately a smile came to me. Looking at the name of this organization, I smiled knowing that they too associated the DREAM Act with Langston Hughes' poem, A Dream Deferred. Please read the poem and take a look at the short film. 

A Dream Deferred

Langston Hughes 

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun? 

Or fester like a sore--

And then run? 

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load. 

Or does it explode? 


SPANISH




ENGLISH 

I. THE DREAM ACT

The DREAM ACT was not the original title of the now controversial law. First introduced in 2001 as H.R. 1918 [House of Representatives] and S. 1291 [Senate], and by general title, The Student Adjustment Act.  Our congress men and women to bring this DREAM to the table were Chris Cannon [R-Utah], Howard Berman [D-CA], and one of our own Latinas, Lucille Royal-Allard [D-CA].  Later, what is now nationally known as the DREAM ACT was introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch [R-UT] and Richard [D-IL]. As leaders of our undocumented youth, they placed thousand of students as symbols of the true American Dream.

Every year that the bill has been re-introduced into either government office, there has been controversy due to its connection to immigration and the possibility of a new surge of immigrants.

In March 26, 2009, the bill was re-introduced by various representatives. Representatives from states that included but are not limited to: Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, Florida, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and California. As of current date, 105 House Representatives and 32 Senators co-sponsor the DREAM ACT.

With a general idea of what the DREAM ACT is… it would give immigrant students provisional residency and the opportunity to pursue higher education.

It is important that we urge our representatives and senators to support the DREAM ACT. Many of the typical things we can do are: write letters, call their offices, and any other possibilities. Let’s give hope to our students and let their DREAMS be alive.

To take action, visit: http://www.dreamactivist.org/take-action-2/
IMAGE Source: http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp137/dreamstobeheard/Logo-1.jpg

LOU DOBBS LEAVES IMMEDIATELY!

With a surprising retirement by Lou Dobbs, CNN employee [neither journalist nor reporter], there has been questions and speculations about such sudden action.

As reported by the San Francisco Gate, one of the speculations made is with regards to Dobbs involvement with the Federation for American Immigration Reform [FAIR]; FAIR has been recently labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Taking notice of Dobbs involvement was Media Matter boss Eric Burns, who went after Dobbs in a letter written to CNN President John Klein.

“Mr. Dobbs represents an ongoing threat to CNN's credibility as a serious news organization, in no small part because of his polemical coverage of immigration issues and his continued use of his CNN show to lend prominence to groups such as FAIR. The attention and legitimacy he gave to the "birther" movement - and CNN's condoning of his actions - did real damage to that credibility. His participation in the upcoming FAIR rally would do further, serious damage. We urge you to finally acknowledge that Mr. Dobbs' actions in this and other contexts are inconsistent with the reputation that CNN strives to maintain."

It comes with no surprise that many organizations have been after Dobbs through campaigns and websites such as dropdobbs.com and bastadobbs.com. However, these organizations were not the main reason for his leaving.

One of the main reasons for his retirement is due to continuous conflict in the past between Dobbs and CNN executives.

Leaving CNN this past Wednesday, Dobbs leaves behind his beginnings from a business journalist to a narrow-minded reporter. As stated by Dobbs, he will seek new opportunities elsewhere. While working for CNN, Dobbs was also host of a radio show and as permitted by CNN, was released immediately from his CNN contract. Dobbs will continue on the radio show, but his new role has not yet been released.

However, these new opportunities still remain unclear and uncertain.

With many of the hysterical assumptions made of Dobbs’ future, is the possibility that he may become a third party candidate for the 2012 presidential campaign. [YEAH, MY ASS…]

Replacing Dobbs is "CNN political reporter and anchor, John King,” he who does not give personal opinions when reporting.

Finally, Lou Dobbs is out of the television screens. Let’s keep it that way… and hopefully, there will consequently be a decline in his radio show.

Further Reading:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/abraham/detail?entry_id=51578
http://www.freep.com/article/20091112/ENT07/911120429/1036/ent01/Dobbs-quits-CNN
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120351492&ps=cprs

Image Source: http://o.aolcdn.com/propeller/media/library/t/S/tSO62g.jpg

THE DREAM ACT

In the upocoming weeks, my blogs will be dedicated to information on the DREAM ACT-The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act . As the school months go by, there is a lot of important information to be shared with our students. Please stay tuned for historical and present day information on the DREAM ACT.

CHANGING THE IMMIGRATION APPROACH

With the Obama administration in place, new strategies have begun to set-in when dealing with immigration. Instead of dealing with employee deportations, they are going after employers.

The first case to take place, due to this new approach will take place in Minnesota.

Last month, after immigration officials performed a review of the company, American Building Maintenance CO., about 1,200 employees abandoned their jobs. The employees were not held by law and instead, were allowed to go home.

This Minnesota company is under continuous supervision.

As a result of the actions by federal officials, immigrant workers are left with economic struggles. According to employees and company personnel, many of the unemployed workers are selling their cars and home, living off saving and/or asking for loans from friends and other family members.

Many of these immigration workers, who have families to take care, must not go unnoticed. It is important to see their struggles and the government needs to reflect on that.

Original Article:http://www.startribune.com/local/69723752.html?elr=KArks:DCiUo3PD:3D_V_qD3L:c7cQKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
image:http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/brands/0004/5243/brand.gif

IMMIGRATION HERE WE GO!

Now that the Health Care Reform has passed, it is time to move on to another heating debate. Politicians had argued that they could not move onto immigration without first dealing with the health care system. SO IT IS NOW THE TIME TO FIX THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM...

and that means... YES for Immigration Reform... Giving people the chance to that American Dream...

Image Source: http://api.ning.com/files/*xlSDxwsKPMnhx1yXQsnjI3eyEyDljulGP*ofLHVhZM_/immigration.jpg

THE NEO-NAZI GROUPS CONTINUE...

Today Saturday, Nov. 7 the Neo-Nazi or "National Socialist Movement" group marched in Phoenix, Arizona against illegal immigration. Among the general ideals of the neo-nazi protestors, they argued that their country needs to be taken back. "We're losing our entire nation. We're being genocided out of our own nation, and we're saying we're taking a stand today and we're taking America back," said J.T. a member of the anti movement.  
     Counter protestros were also heavily present. Fighting against this hate group and movement. Fernie Ramos, a counter protestor said that this type of hate needs to be fought back because America is learning to accept.

Original Article: http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/immigration/neo_nazi_demonstration_11_07_2009 
Image: http://media.npr.org/assets/news/2009/11/07/riverside2_custom.jpg?t=1257451300&s=4