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.

IMMIGRATION REFORM 2010

With the new year approaching us, in a matter of hours, we are all hoping for a year of change... of opportunities... of growth... While in the political world of the United States, it awaits a long battle with immigration reform. It is now the time to help the families, students and individuals who have been a major contributing factor to this country and society. They add to the diversity that the U.S. lacks, and they provide an insight into what the American Dream is. While many of us don't know what to do, there are various websites and organizations that have been working year round. Many of which, would be glad to inform you on the task. Our representatives, senators, leaders, etc., who have decided to put their names and hands on the various bills filed and to be filed need our support and back-up. I wish everyone a happy and safe new year, and let it be our year of CHANGE. 

img source:http://www.reform-america.net/immigration_debate.jpg

ACT NOW - Support Congressman Gutierrez's Bill

Today, Congressman Luis Gutierrez and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus introduced their immigration reform bill, aptly titled the "CIR ASAP Act." It's the first bill in the 111th' Congress to provide a comprehensive plan, and clearly lays out many of the realistic solutions that we have been pushing for.

Your work has gotten us this far, and Congressman Gutierrez has kept to his commitment. Now it's time for Congress to step up. Tell Congress to support the CIR ASAP Act.

     This is a crucial moment for our movement. We must now come together and show why these reforms cannot wait.

     The CIR ASAP Act already has over seventy co-sponsors in Congress, but it's going to take all of us working together to make comprehensive immigration reform the law.

Tell your Members of Congress to support immigration reform.

     This fight isn't about abstract policies or processes. It's about hard-working people who want a fair working environment. It's about families, separated by a bureaucratic system that doesn't work. It's about fixing our broken system and doing what's right.

Thank you for your support,
Rich Stolz
Reform Immigration FOR America

P.S. - Do you have what it takes to be a leader? Are you interested in organizing in your community? Do you want to help fix our nation's broken immigration system? If so, join us in Los Angeles for a Movement Building Training For Immigration Reform.

OPINION: THINGS THAT MAKE ME WANT TO POP!

There are certain things that make me angry... I once wrote that you can only shake a can of soda for so long before it pops. This morning, while in the car with my sister, I was on my way to school listening to the radio. And to my surprise, they were talking about the issue of immigration. The audience was asked to call in and voice their opinions. 
     This is where it gets interesting. So, a Spanish speaking woman, a U.S. citizen, who is most than likely of Mexican descent, began to voice her racist and prejudice generalizations against immigrants. She was angry because all the immigrants took away the possible jobs that she could have had. She was angry because the "illegal aliens" come and took a job that pays them $5.00 an hour; when she can be having that same exact job and because she is a citizen, she should be getting paid $13.00 an hour. From what I've seen, citizens aren't in the strawberry fields killing their backs and putting up with the heat. 
     She said that all the "illegal aliens" are dependent on welfare and are stealing the tax payer’s money. In fact, the government designates who that money goes to. And by law, American children should have every right to that money. It is sad to see that in today’s society, people of your own or similar ethnic background can have such mentalities and views. It is embarrassing to point out this lady had a heavy accent, and her English wasn't perfect. She doesn’t have a job because she is probably a fat lazy b**** who can't seem to get her ass up and find a job. And most than likely, with that accent, she is a first generation American, and her parents are and came to this country illegally.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME ANGRY...

IT IS NOW THE TIME!

PUSHING IMMIGRATION REFORM BEYOND THE HALT.

In El Paso Texas, law enforcement and national security officials met this past Tuesday and discussed the immediate need for the U.S. to refocus its current approach on immigration. They said that the U.S. government needs to start focusing on a way to stop the entering of more immigrants in the country and quickly fix the current system by providing a reform law to legalize the current undocumented population.

In today’s current population, an estimated 12 million undocumented people live in the United States. The panel discussed the importance of ending the target on all undocumented individuals, and removing those who are actual violent criminals.

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