Over 2500 March in Alabama for Repeal of Anti-immigrant Law

December 20, 2011



Causa's Francisco Lopez with children, students and famlies at rally in Alabama

Montgomery, Ala. -- Last weekend, members of Causa, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Organization were in Alabama for Fair Immigration Reform Movement's (FIRM) Immigrant National Convention. The convention brought together immigrant rights groups from around the country and leaders from Alabama to train and plan on how to beat back anti-immigrant bills, push for pro-immigrant legislation, and continuing the fight for humane, comprehensive immigration reform.

On Saturday, organizations and individuals from all over the Nation held rally and march for the repeal of Alabama’s Anti-immigrant law known as HB 56. The turn-out, which included Freedom Riders, DREAM students, leaders from civil, immigrant and labor rights organizations and families, was estimated between 2500 and 3000 people.

The Alabama law was passed in June by the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by GOP Gov. Robert Bentley. Parts of the law took effect in late September while other parts were blocked by federal courts after successful lawsuits by the Obama Administration and immigrant rights and faith-based organizations.

On December 14th, Human Rights Watch issued 52 page report detailing how the Alabama law denies unauthorized immigrants and their families, including US citizen children, their basic rights, threatening their access to everyday necessities and equal protection of the law. The report is based in part on first-hand accounts by 57 Alabama residents, including citizens and permanent residents, who reported abuse or discrimination under the law.

The law has even drawn national attention over a couple embarrassing incidents with workers from Alabama’s Honda and Mercedes plants. Earlier this month, it was reported that Republicans who passed the law are facing backlash from the Alabama business community after two foreign workers were stopped by police for not carrying “proof of legal residency”. Many believe the incidents have turned public opinion against the draconian law.

After the incidents, the Republican attorney general called for some of the strictest parts of it to be repealed. The Birmingham Business Alliance told the Associated Press that the law is tainting Alabama's image around the world, while Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day said the law is rekindling the memories of Alabama's civil rights past saying "It's bringing back old images from 40 or 50 year ago."

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Gatherings to Raise Awareness about Abuse, Discrimination and Injustice against Immigrants

December 16, 2011

Gatherings to Raise Awareness about Abuse and Injustice against Immigrants

Portland, Ore--Starting this Sunday, members of immigrant communities, their supporters and those from diverse faiths will participate in a series of Posadas or “welcoming”gatherings in support of immigrant rights. The event is being hosted by Vecinos en Alerta (Neighbors in Alert) and the Oregon New Sanctuary Movement (ONSM)
This is third year that ONSM has organized a posada to draw public attention to the need for immigrant justice and an end to the abuse, discrimination and exploitation of immigrants in the United States.

“We are doing this to build community, solidarity and relationships of mutual welcome and hospitality between immigrants and people of faith and conscience”, said Beth Poteet of the Oregon New Sanctuary Movement. “As immigrants and allies, we want to draw public attention to the need for immigrant justice and an end to the abuse, discrimination and exploitation of immigrants in the United States.

Welcoming the Stranger: Portland Posada 2011
Date: December 19th and 20th
Time: 7pm - 8:30pm.
Location: 6840 NE Killingsworth, Portland, Oregon

Go to the Hacienda office and look for signs to direct you to the Posada.

Each evening there will be a celebration with food, fellowship, art and action.

For more information, please visit www.oregonsanctuary.org or link to their flyer here: http://www.oregonsanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/posadasonsm-1.pdf

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DOJ Report Finds Arpaio Engaged in Practice of Civil Rights Abuses, Racial Profiling

December 15, 2011


This release comes from the American Immigration Council.  The American Immigration Council's mission is to strengthen America by honoring our immigrant history and shaping how Americans think about and act towards immigration now and in the future.

DOJ Report Slams Sheriff Joe Arpaio and DHS Restricts 287(g) and Secure Communities Programs
Washington D.C. - After a three-year investigation into the abusive practices of Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Maricopa County Sherriff’s Office (MCSO), the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today that it had found a pattern and practice of civil rights abuses, including extreme cases of racial profiling. The enormity of the violations, the majority of which were experienced by immigrants and Latinos, has led the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suspend its cooperation agreement (under section 287(g)) with the sheriff’s office and restrict the MCSO’s access to immigration databases through the Secure Communities program.
The dual announcements from DOJ and DHS reinforce what many in Arizona and the broader immigration community have long argued: the practice of allowing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law increases the likelihood of racial profiling and pretextual arrests which leads to disastrous results for entire communities.
The DOJ’s Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez commented on the investigation noting “MCSO’s systematic disregard for basic constitutional protections has created a wall of distrust between the sheriff’s office and large segments of the community, which dramatically compromises the ability to protect and serve the people. The problems are deeply rooted in MCSO’s culture, and are compounded by MCSO’s penchant for retaliation against individuals who speak out.”

The DOJ has requested a response from Maricopa County and writes “If MCSO is not interested or if we deem that MCSO is not engaged in good-faith efforts to achieve compliance by voluntary means, we are prepared to file a civil action to compel compliance.”

The report contains a review of the constitutional abuses rampant in Maricopa County including an analysis by a leading expert on measuring racial profiling who examined MCSO traffic stops and found that “Latino drivers were between four to nine times more likely to be stopped than similarly situated non-Latino drivers. Overall, the expert concluded that this case involves the most egregious racial profiling in the United States that he has ever personally seen in the course of his work, observed in litigation, or reviewed in professional literature.”

Today’s announcements also highlight the critical issues at stake in the upcoming Supreme Court review of Arizona’s SB 1070, a law that institutionalized the role of state law enforcement in federal immigration matters. Even under the best of circumstances, ceding immigration authority to state officers presents an array of complex and politically charged issues. Under the worst of circumstances, as illustrated by Sherriff Arpaio’s MCSO, state and local law enforcement agencies enforcing federal immigration laws can be disasterous.

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OR Immigrant Rights Organization Comes Out Strong for LGBT Equality

December 9, 2011

OR Immigrant Rights Organization Comes Out Strong for LGBT Equality

Portland, Ore.-- Yesterday, around 100 people attended Causa’s Coming Out Party at theSlate in NW Portland. The party showcased Causa’s LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer) work and highlighted the importance and history behind creating alliances and conversations between the LGBTQ community and the Latino community.

The event was co-sponsored by Basic Rights Oregon, Oregon Health and Science University, Latino Network, and the Northwest Worker Justice Project.

Emcees posing with Causa's Francisco Lopez



Guests were treated to live Cuban music by Xavier y Su Banda Clasica, jazz and Broadway tunes by David Hastings and the very energetic Emcees, El Hispanic News publisher Melanie Davis, and Star Empress 34 FabuLanzaa. Food was served up by La Bonita Taqueria and Mayahuel Catering.

"Last night's event was a great success and a great time celebrating LGBTQ Latino Equality with all our friends”, said Christian Baeff, Causa’s LGBT Alliance Building Organizer. “The event was a heart warming one and we enjoyed seeing everyone in the same spirit of supporting Causa's work. We look forward to the future as we work towards equality and immigrant rights."

Organizers set a goal to raise $1500.00 for the event but in the end fell short by just $2.00. Causa was promised a matching grant of $1500.00 for the $1500 raised. The good news is, there is still time to help us make the goal of $1500. Anyone who donates just $2.00 turns $1500 into $3000 instantly. If you would like to help, please link here: https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5535/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=607

A Special Note of Thanks:

Thank you to La Bonita Taqueria and Mayahuel Catering for delicious food and appetizers. And to our sponsors Basic Rights Oregon, Oregon Health and Science University, Latino Network, and Northwest Worker Justice Project for their generous donations. 

Thanks also to the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock for a generous matching donation, the Slate for providing our venue, and to Por Que No Taqueria, Mother's Bistro & Bar, Bijou Cafe, and Darcelle XV for their donations.  And Thank you to Oregon Beverage Services and All Star Rentals

Thanks to our performers David Hastings and Xavier & Su banda Clasica and our fabulous emcees, Melanie Davis, Published of El Hispanic News, and Star Empress 34, FabuLanzaa. Thanks to program participants Jeana Frazzini and Jensi, Carmen and Felipe for sharing their stories.

Finally, thanks to all the volunteers and many other organizations and individuals that made this event possible!

RESOURCES:

PHOTOS http://s516.photobucket.com/albums/u329/CAUSAOregon/Coming%20Out%20Party/?albumview=slideshow

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USA Today: Deportations tear some families apart

Appearing on the front page of today's edition of USA Today is the heart wrenching story about Liliana Ramos, an Oregonian who was deported after living in the U.S. for 21 years. Liliana has been separated from her children since September of this year. Francisco Lopez, executive director of Causa Oregon and Barbara Ghio (Causa Board Member) are both mentioned in the story.

Deportations tear some families apart
By Dania P. Maxwell, for USA TODAY

TIJUANA, Mexico – Few words are needed when Liliana Ramos talks by phone with her youngest daughter, age 11, back in Oregon.
"Mostly we cry," she says. "All the time we cry and say, 'I love you, I miss you.' "

After living for 21 years in the U.S., Ramos, 39, was deported to Mexico in September, separated from the two daughters and son she has raised as a single mother since her ex-husband left them seven years ago

Continue reading here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-04/illegal-immigration-deportation-obama-gingrich-homeland-security/51646680/1

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