ROUNDUP: Top Immigration Stories of the Week

PROFILE: Undocumented, Unemployed Immigrant Sells Good Eats at Chicago Laundromats
With a booming business preparing and selling food products, Mexican immigrant David Martínez practices just the kind of entrepreneurship the Chicago municipality seeks to promote among immigrants.

WORLD: Greek party most extreme of Europe’s far right
Far-right parties have won parliamentary seats and pushed their views into mainstream policies and discourse in Europe, sometimes in ways that have impacted immigrants and Muslims.

Texas DREAMers Claim Their Right To Dream with May 17 Actions

From United We Dream: Record high deportations, anti-immigrant laws, secure communities, and thousands of people still living in the shadows. That’s all we have received from the Obama administration. Enough is enough. Through the Right to Dream

Campaign we seek to gain relief for ourselves and our communities. Below is the declaration of dreams that embody the values and ask of this campaign.

Declaration of Dreams

• The Right to live our lives without fear
• The Right to live with our families
• The Right to live with our loved ones.
• The Right to move freely
• The Right to education
• The Right to give back to our communities
• The Right to build a strong sustainable economy
• The Right to fulfill our Dreams

Learn more at the Right to Dream Website.

Events in Texas:

Demand the Right to DREAM with SUDA and ULI in Austin, more info

“Right to Dream” Rally in Houston, more info

Top Immigration Stories of the Week

TOP STORY: Immigration Policy at Issue in Democratic Primary for Sheriff in Travis County
In Travis County, which many consider the liberal hub of Texas, the controversial immigration-enforcement S-Comm policy is at the forefront of the sheriff’s race.

GOP Hispanic Outreach Announcement Gets Derailed by Immigration
Frustrated by the reporters dogged focus on the immigration issue, RNC Hispanic Outreach Director Bettina Inclán said “As a candidate, to my understanding, [Mitt Romney] is still deciding what his position on immigration is.”

Feds to launch Secure Communities program in Mass.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified state officials Tuesday that despite the objections of Gov. Deval Patrick and immigration activists, they plan to launch S-Comm in the state.

U.S. Justice Dept. files civil rights suit against Arpaio
Federal authorities sued the Arizona sheriff Thursday, a rare step after months of negotiations failed to yield an agreement to settle allegations that his department racially profiled Latinos in his trademark immigration patrols. The U.S. Department of Justice officials said the agency filed a lawsuit only once before in the 18-year history of its police reform work.

SPORTS: Immigration Smackdown: Pro Wrestlers Hit on a Hot-Button Issue
With an audience that’s overwhelmingly Latino, “RJ Brewer” plays the bad guy (or “heel” in wrestling vernacular) and he’s arguably one of the best in the business today. Boos, insults — in both English and Spanish — and sometimes even food or drinks rain down on Brewer as he enters the ring. For a guy who’s paid to be hated, he’s certainly good at his job.

OPINION: Mere Tinkering With a Bad Program
This is the problem with “discretion” and S-Comm — as long as the government outsources the initial decision on whom to stop and pull over to local police officers, many of them poorly trained and supervised, the danger of harassment continues. Trust is eroded in immigrant communities when people are too fearful to report crimes and cooperate with the police. That flaw is not going to be fixed by tweaking the detention policy.

La Suprema Corte oye un caso de Arizona y Texas toma nota

SAN JUAN, Texas – Este miércoles la Suprema Corte de los Estados Unidos escuchará en audiencia los alegatos orales sobre la Ley llamada “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods” (Apoya la Iniciativa de Cumplimiento de la Ley y de Vecindarios Seguros) – Act, SB1070 – de Arizona. Los defensores de inmigrantes dicen que la ley podría resultar dañina para las familias de Texas.

Comenta Juanita Valdez-Cox, directora ejecutiva de La Unión del Pueblo Entero, conocida como “LUPE” por sus iniciales.
La controversia se centra en la aplicación de la ley de migración, que podría tener un gran impacto en las familias de Texas. La ley SB 1070 de Arizona, conocida popularmente como “Documentos, por favor” está siendo desafiada por el Departamento de Justicia. Si es ratificada por el tribunal supremo, podría llevar a los legisladores de Texas a renovar su apoyo a tener una medida similar. Los defensores de los inmigrantes temen que provoque que los departamentos de policía y de alguaciles actúen como si fueran agentes migratorios. Juanita Valdez-Cox es directora ejecutiva de La Unión del Pueblo Entero, una organización comunitaria de Valle Río Grande conocida también como “LUPE” por sus iniciales. Ella dice que los oficiales de policía y del DPS están convirtiendo lo que antes era detenciones rutinarias de tráfico, en eventos agresivos.

“Ahora le llaman a migración. Y tenemos tantas historias muy, muy tristes sobre familias que son separadas de sus seres amados, deportadas –familias que han estado aquí por años, que han estado trabajado aquí.”

El fondo de la batalla legal es cuánta libertad de acción deben tener los estados al aplicar las leyes federales. Los partidarios de la ley de Arizona, incluso el congresista por San Antonio Lamar Smith , dicen que la medida no sería necesaria si la administración Obama hubiera hecho mejor su trabajo de asegurar la frontera. Valdez-Cox responde que la administración ha elevado la cantidad de arrestos y las deportaciones hasta niveles récord en los tres últimos años.

Aunque sus partidarios dicen que la ley de Arizona fue escrita para prohibir la clasificación por perfiles raciales, exige que los cuerpos del orden investiguen la nacionalidad si hay “sospecha razonable” de que alguien está ilegalmente en el país. Valdez-Cox dice que el control de la frontera ya domina totalmente el debate sobre inmigración, aunque ella está convencida de que es nada más una faceta de un problema que abarca condiciones económicas subyacentes que atraen en primer lugar a inmigrantes indocumentados.

“Es una reforma completa, y es el la Dream Act, pero también tiene que ver con la economía. Es ver toda la fotografía de los problemas de la inmigración. Y recientemente sólo se ha visto como un asunto de hacer cumplir la ley.”

Valdez-Cox dice que en algunas comunidades de Texas ya está erosionada la confianza en sus fuerzas locales del orden, pues la policía se ha involucrado más y más en la revisión de documentos. Como resultado, afirma, los residentes cada vez reportan menos los crímenes porque tienen miedo de que cualquier contacto con la policía pueda terminar en la deportación de algún miembro de su familia.

Texas Takes Notice as Supreme Court Hears Arizona Case

SAN JUAN, Texas – The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments today in a controversial immigration-enforcement case which could have a big impact on Texas families.

Arizona’s so-called “papers, please” law is being challenged by the Justice Department. If SB 1070 is upheld by the high court, it could prompt Texas lawmakers to renew their push for a similar measure. Immigrant advocates also fear it will embolden local police and sheriff’s departments to act as immigration agents.

Juanita Valdez-Cox, executive director of LUPE, a community-organizing group in the Rio Grande Valley, says police and Department of Public Safety officers already have been turning what used to be routine traffic stops into life-shattering events.

“Now, they’re calling immigration. And we have so many very, very sad stories of families being separated from their loved ones, being deported – families that have been here for years, have been working here.”

At issue in the legal battle is how much leeway states should have in enforcing federal laws. Supporters of the Arizona law, including Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, say the measure would not have been necessary if the Obama administration had done a better job of securing the border.

Valdez-Cox counters that the administration has ramped up arrests and deportations to record levels in the past three years.

Although its supporters say the Arizona law was written to forbid racial profiling, it requires law enforcement to investigate citizenship status if there is “reasonable suspicion” that someone’s in the country illegally. Valdez-Cox says border control has dominated the entire immigration debate, when she believes it’s only one facet of a problem which includes the underlying economic conditions that attract undocumented immigrants in the first place.

“It is comprehensive immigration reform, and it is the DREAM Act, but it’s also about the economy. It’s looking at the whole picture of the problems of immigration. And recently, it’s only been looked at as enforcement.”

Trust in local law enforcement has eroded in some south Texas communities, she says, as police increasingly have become involved in checking documentation. As a result, she says, residents are less likely to report crimes when they’re fearful that any contact with police could lead to the deportation of a family member.

A Prayer For Justice on Arizona’s SB1070

This Sunday, April 22 is a statewide day of prayer for justice and immigrant families. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on Arizona’s anti-immigrant law, SB1070, Texans are standing in solidarity with those in Arizona and every state that have seen the effects of this misguided law.

Pastor Lynn Godsey, President and Founder of A.H.E.M., La Alianza Hispana Evangelica Ministerial and Senior Pastor at Templo De Poder in Ennis, Texas has written the following prayer for justice.

A Prayer For Justice For The Immigrant

Heavenly Father:

We come to you today, first of all with Gratitud in our hearts for the Love you have for all you have Created.

Lord, we know that in the midst of those created by you, are our dear Immigrant Brothers and Sisters.

We pray today, that when the Supreme Court hears the Case concerning Arizona’s SB 1070,  that they might do so led by your Holy Spirit.

We  pray that their eyes be opened so that they can see Immigrants as precious families you have created to be together and stay together.

We know that you are speaking to America, as you did in your Holy Word, The Bible, in Leviticus, as you did to your people Israel: to not oppress the foreigner for ” at one time you were one”.

Compassionate God, who has come to dwell among us, open the ears of the Supreme Court to hear the cries of your children; children being separated from their parents, rounded up in raids, led to detention centers, silently giving up dreams.

God of Justice, who crosses all boundaries, please stand in the gap today for those who do not have a voice so that SB 1070 be overturned!

Give us the strength to stand with and for them, but above all, the faith and hope to see the day that we will have a fair and just Immigration Law.

Thank You for placing dreams and desires in the hearts of those who have come to the Land of the Free; and for creating a plan to bring them to pass.

Even when we can’t see a way, we trust that You are making a way! You are good, and today we declare that Your gracious hand is upon every precious Immigrant and their Family. We ask this in the mighty name of your Son, Jesus Christ!

Amen.

Texans Hold Vigil As Supreme Court Hears Arizona’s SB1070

What happened in Arizona has not stayed in Arizona.

After years of legal battles, lost revenue and communities living in fear, Arizona’s infamous 
“papers, please” law will be heard by the Supreme Court on Wednesday April 25, 2012.

And thousands across the U.S. are praying that the Supreme Court rules with wisdom and compassion as they decide the constitutionality of Arizona’s SB1070.

Texans stand in solidarity with families in Arizona and are holding vigils in El Paso, Brownsville, Dallas, San Juan and Austin. There are also vigils planned across the country, notably in Alabama, California, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, and in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

Join us in prayer for the Supreme Court and for the families and communities that have been negatively impacted by this law.

In the 2011 session of the Texas Legislature, Rick Perry and other state lawmakers loyal to the tea party tried to push similar laws here in Texas. They failed.

“The Arizona law was literally written by prison industry lobbyists and is plainly unconstitutional,” said Cristina Parker, of El Paso. “If the Court rules incorrectly on this, we could all be living in Arizona soon. So we are praying.”

SB1070 Vigils Across Texas

Monday, April 23, 2012
Brownsville, TX
6:00 PM
Boca Chica Blvd & International Blvd, Brownsville, TX
Organized by: Movimiento del Valle por los Derechos Humanos
Contact: Alvaro Sosa, 956-465-6870

Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Dallas, TX
Vigil for Family Unity
Dallas City Hall
1500 Marilla St, Dallas, TX
Organized by: Pueblo Sin Fronteras
Contact: Roberto Corona, 909-856-2322

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
San Juan, TX
6:00 PM
Cesar Chavez & Business 83, San Juan Texas
Organized by: Equal Voice Immigration Working Group of the RGV
Contact: Martha Sanchez, 956-787-2233

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Austin, TX
7:00 PM
Front Gates of the Capitol (1100 11th Street), Austin, TX
Organized by: Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition
Contact: Esther Reyes, 512-476-2472

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
El Paso, TX
5:00 PM
In Aztec Calendar Park Downtown
Organized by: The Border Network for Human Rights
Contact: Cristina Parker, 915-875-9107