LAPD: New impound law shows 'compassion' for illegal immigrants

Maybe this will help the immigrants think a little better of the police force too. - - Donna Poisl

Joel Rubin, L.A. Times

Calling it an act of “humanity” and “compassion” toward the city's illegal immigrants, the Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday approved a controversial plan to limit the cases in which police officers impound vehicles of drivers operating without a license.

The commission made the move despite warnings from Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley and state lawyers that the new impound policy is illegal.

It marks a victory for immigration-rights advocates as well as Police Chief Charlie Beck, who has championed the new policy despite sharp criticism at public meetings, on talk radio and by some law enforcement officials.
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Alabama Immigration Law Opponents Plan More Pressure On Auto Manufacturers

Maybe this kind of pressure will help kill the laws. - - Donna Poisl

FROM ELISE FOLEY

Civil rights groups plan to increase pressure on automakers that have plants in Alabama in an effort to stop the state's contested immigration law, a member of the coalition told The Huffington Post on Tuesday.

As civil rights groups fight Alabama House Bill 56, considered the most extreme bill in the U.S. aimed at driving out undocumented immigrants, they are seeking help from foreign corporations such as Hyundai, Honda and Mercedes-Benz, all of which have plants in the state.
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3 NC Youth Arrested - Help?

from Viridiana Martinez, NC Dream Team

We need your help. Yesterday three undocumented youth were arrested inside the NC state legislature. They were arrested because they came out as undocumented and unafraid during a committee meeting where 12 legislators were going to decide what anti-immigrant bill to bring next.

Help us get the Raleigh 3 out of jail, donate to their bail! CLICK THE HEADLINE ABOVE

Now all three are in jail awaiting court in just a matter of hours and we need your help to make sure they are released. Bond has been set at $5,000 for the three of them (all together), can you help us raise it? Please donate $25 to help get the Raleigh 3 out of jail.

We need to keep taking action against anyone who thinks they can harm our community. They do this because they think we are scared and will never fight back. That's why the Raleigh 3 came out as undocumented and unafraid at the committee meeting, they did it to show these legislators, and any others thinking of doing the same, that we will no longer remain hiding and we are ready to fight back. Support the undocumented youth arrested by donating $25 to their bail fund.

These actions are not going to go away, we are only at the beginning of our fight. In North Carolina we are committed to fighting back any and all legislation and we really need to do the same all across the country. Please make a donation right now to support the Undocumented Bail Fund. All donations will help students like the Raleigh 3 get out of jail if they are arrested during a protest. Let's support the Raleigh 3!

Thank you.

Viridiana Martinez
NC Dream Team

Three Million: Changing Lives One Refugee at a Time

This is a good news story, for sure. - - Donna Poisl

FROM DAVID M. ROBINSON

This month Americans welcomed the three millionth refugees since 1975, helping them build new lives, homes, and communities in all 50 states. The United States is proud of its history of welcoming immigrants and refugees.

The 1980s saw primarily refugees resettling in the U.S. from Vietnam, Laos, and the Soviet Union. The 1990s brought large numbers of Bosnians as war engulfed the former Yugoslavia. In the 21st century, we welcomed refugees from Burma, Bhutan, Iran, Iraq and Somalia, among others, reflecting a more diverse and expansive refugee resettlement program.
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The Latino vote: A factor in swing states come November

I hope the Latino community realizes how important they are and studies the issues and then shows up and votes. - - Donna Poisl

By Rafael Romo, Senior Latin American Affairs Editor

(CNN) - If there was still any doubt about Mitt Romney's position on immigration, it was erased last Thursday during the CNN Republican presidential debate in Mesa, Arizona.

The former Michigan governor referred to Arizona's controversial HB1070 law as "a model" for the nation. The initiative approved in 2010 that cracks down on illegal immigration has been denounced by Hispanic and immigration rights groups as extreme.

Romney also said that "the right course for America is to drop these lawsuits against Arizona ... I'll also complete the (border) fence. I'll make sure we have enough border patrol agents to secure the fence and I'll make sure we have an (employment eligibility federal database) E-Verify system and require employers to check the documents of workers."
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Homeless Immigrants Alone, Adrift

It would be horrible to be homeless but in a strange country, with limited English and no hope, would be so much worse. - - Donna Poisl

by MERIBAH KNIGHT

One said goodbye, embracing his anxious parents. One left without a word, indignant and angry.

After traveling thousands of miles by bus, train and on foot, the two young men met in a homeless shelter on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

Oscar was a shy 15-year-old when his parents hired a local “coyote” in July 2008 to help him leave Veracruz, Mexico, and cross the border to seek work in the United States. Jorge, gregarious, bright-eyed and also 15, gathered up his 6-year-old cousin six months later and left Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in the middle of the night, to escape abuse that he said had escalated into fistfights with his father. He also planned to work and send money back to his mother.

Without knowing it, both were headed toward homelessness. In that, they joined thousands of other immigrant children who have left their native country — for work, family reunification or refuge — crossed into the United States and wound up alone.
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Evangelical leaders call for immigration overhaul

Church leaders are calling for immigration reform in a humane way. The Bible says "I was a stranger and you welcomed me". - - Donna Poisl

By Tom Bassing, BIRMINGHAM, Ala

(Reuters) - Evangelical Christian leaders took up a bully pulpit on Thursday to call for a "humane" overhaul of the U.S. immigration system in response to tough crackdowns on illegal immigrants enacted by Alabama and other states.

"Because I'm a Christian I believe in comprehensive, common-sense, humane immigration policy," the Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the New York-based National Latino Evangelical Coalition, told a conference of evangelical leaders in Birmingham.
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L.A. County sheriff would back 'sensible' plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants

If these people got driver's licenses, it would make the roads much safer for everyone. They would have to pass a driving test and would then get insurance. - - Donna Poisl

By Robert Faturechi and Joel Rubin, Los Angeles Times

L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca said he would get behind a "sensible" plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants who have been in the country for several years without breaking any other laws.

Baca's comments Thursday came the day after Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck also expressed support for such a plan, saying that it would reduce the number of hit-and-run accidents and uninsured drivers on city roads.
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Student teaching helps the community

I am sure the students are benefiting too while helping the immigrants in their community. - - Donna Poisl

by BEN DAY - STAFF WRITER

A literature course enhances its focus by tying Drew University with a nearby Hispanic community through an off-campus teaching program.

The course, “Latino & Latina Literature,” “focuses on putting Latino literature in a cultural and historic context and particularly drawing connections between the themes of Latino literature and the issues facing Latino communities in New Jersey,” Assistant Professor of English and Environmental Studies & Sustainability Sarah Wald said.

She hopes to accomplish this by volunteering with the non-profit Neighborhood House in Morristown, a former settlement house that is over 100 years old and is dedicated to helping new immigrants confront economic challenges and fostering cross-cultural relations.
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American 'illegals' in Mexico

This is an interesting story, it shows another side of the issue we have here. - - Donna Poisl

By Ignacio de los Reyes, BBC Mundo, Mexico City

The issue of undocumented Mexican migrants in America is widely reported. But what about the thousands of Americans living illegally south of the border? Mexico Direct looks at why they come, and why Mexicans aren't yet making an issue about it.

When Jessica departed the US early in 2011, she left a country where illegal immigration is rarely off the political agenda.

Little did she imagine she herself would become an 'alien' - in Mexico.
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Report: Tough immigration laws don't make illegal immigrants 'self-deport'

Even though they are sometimes afraid to stay here, the immigrants decide it is better to take the chance. It is not that easy to just "up and move" back to their home country. - - Donna Poisl

By DUSTIN VOLZ - Cronkite News Service

WASHINGTON - Strong family ties, the cost of returning to their native countries and fewer economic opportunities back home have kept illegal immigrants in the U.S., despite strict immigration laws here, a new report claims.

The report, released Wednesday by the Center for American Progress, said tough laws like Arizona's SB 1070 do not prompt illegal immigrants to "self-deport." Instead, those people either stay where they are, but "in the shadows," or they move to neighboring cities, counties or states, it said.
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Immigration chief seeks to reassure Silicon Valley

Non-citizens who are educated in our universities often have to leave to start their companies, even though they are needed here and would stay if they were allowed to. - - Donna Poisl

By Marcus Wholsen, Associated Press

MOUNTAIN VIEW -- The Obama administration's top immigration official said Wednesday he wants to keep more foreign-born high-tech entrepreneurs in the U.S. But to make that happen, he said he needs those entrepreneurs to turn their creativity to immigration itself.

Members of Silicon Valley's startup community met with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Director Alejandro Mayorkas for what the agency billed as a summit to officially launch its unusual "Entrepreneurs in Residence" program.
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17th Annual Washington, DC Immigrant Achievement Awards

The American Immigration Council invites you to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of immigrants from around the country at an inspiring and thought-provoking ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill on March 29, 2012.

This year marks our 17th Annual Washington, DC Immigrant Achievement Awards and we are excited to announce that we will be honoring immigrants who have contributed to our nation with their innovative and entrepreneurial accomplishments.
Click on the headline above to read the details of the ceremony and sign up to attend.

Sign DREAM Act petition to Romney and Gingrich

from Matt Hildreth, America’s Voice

Next week, the national spotlight will be on Arizona’s Republican primary, where immigration is already at the forefront of the debate.

The conversation must start with protecting (and passing) the DREAM Act. That’s why we started a Protect the Dream Act petition. Will you sign it? CLICK ON THE HEADLINE ABOVE.

On Monday, DREAMers in Arizona will deliver the petition to Mitt Romney -- so now is your last chance.

Once you sign the petition please forward this email to people you know who care about the DREAM Act.

Matt Hildreth
America’s Voice

VOTER INFORMATION WEBSITE

from Latinos for Democracy which is part of Movimiento Hispano

Click on the headline and read all the rules and requirements for voting in your state.
Then learn the issues and DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

IS THIS ALABAMA?: watch the video

from Mahwish Khan, America’s Voice Education Fund

Have you seen these videos yet?

The short videos that Hollywood director, Chris Weitz, created about Alabama’s immigration law have been seen by over 45,000 people -- go to http://isthisalabama.org/?source=AV20120222 to take a look.

Since these videos were released last week, thousands of people watched them. The hashtag, #CrisisAL, was even a top trending topic in D.C. on Twitter. Everywhere I go, people are talking about them.

I have spent much of the last 4 months on the ground in Alabama, and I can tell you that these videos capture the true sentiment down there. Trust me, if you have a minute -- they’re definitely worth watching.

Thanks,

Mahwish Khan
America’s Voice Education Fund

USHLI and GM Team To Raise Funds for Hispanic Students

Such a good idea, several kids should be helped by this scholarship money. - - Donna Poisl

by Rebecca Villaneda

GM Director of Diversity Initiatives Alma Guajardo Crossley and Buick and GMC Regional Director Marc Hernandez announced today that the auto giant will donate a Buick Verano to the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.

Proceeds from raffle tickets to win the Buick Verano will go toward raising scholarship funds for USHLI recipients. The Buick Verano will be raffled off to a lucky winner after August.

GM is a sponsor of USHLI's Student Leadership Series, which will tour the country and visit 30 states -- more than 40,000 students will be reached.
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In wake of immigration law, some migrants return to Alabama

We must hope they do not start cracking down again, now that the people are returning. - - Donna Poisl

By Alan Gomez, USA TODAY

When Alabama's immigration law went into effect in September, it sent shock waves throughout Hispanic communities within the state. Whole families left overnight, parents pulled their children out of school, and city centers became ghost towns as legal and illegal immigrants alike hid from police.

In the months since, a number of illegal immigrants who fled have returned.
"Little by little, it's been calming down," said Gabby Sullivan, a legal immigrant from Mexico who has been helping community groups in the southern city of Robertsdale.
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Immigrants versed on legal requirements for citizenship

People legally here for 20 years are interested in the issues (FINALLY) and want to become citizens so they can vote. - - Donna Poisl

Sandra Baltazar MartÍnez | The New Mexican

Luis Guzmán wants to be able to vote. That's his primary motivation in studying to become a naturalized United States citizen.

During a two-hour informational session Wednesday night offered by a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services officer at Santa Fe Community College, Guzmán took notes on this federal agency's requirements for becoming a citizen. He's just about ready, he said.

"I just need to improve my English," Guzmán said. "I've been going to English classes for two years and I plan to stick with them."
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Washington ag leaders: Immigration reform vital for economy

Farmers all across the country are in desperate need of immigrant workers and laws to allow them to work. - - Donna Poisl

BY DAVID LESTER, YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

ELLENSBURG -- More Washington farmers are expected to turn to a federal foreign guest worker program out of concern that last fall's labor shortage will only get worse in 2012, employer advocates say.

And Washington's agriculture director said he believes solving agriculture's labor needs through comprehensive immigration reform may require a nationwide groundswell similar to the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

"It will take that much effort to solve this," Agriculture Director Dan Newhouse, a Sunnyside farmer and former state representative, told a farm labor conference here last week.
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