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.