Another Anti-immigrant Extremist Loses Seat

We reported last week about the defeat of Russel Pearce, Arizona State Senate President, self proclaimed "Tea Party President" and the mastermind behind Arizona’s racial profiling and anti-immigrant Senate Bill 1070.

It appears yet another anti-immigrant extremist has joined Pearce in losing thier seat. Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy gave up his bid for re-election after investigators found problems with his use of public money.  Levy's heir apparent, Republican Angie Carpenter, was handily defeated by her Democratic rival ending a decade of extremism and hate.

While in office, Levy built a reputation as one of the most notable anti-immigrant public officials in New York state. According to America's Voice,

"During Levy’s tenure, New York’s Suffolk County was something of a 21st century breeding ground for racial violence: Latino immigrants were routinely beaten, pelted with rocks, and spit at. They were harassed by police officers and racial epithets were scrawled on their homes. They were afraid to leave their houses and lived under constant threat of assault. High school students casually talked about “beaner jumping,” where attacks on Latino immigrants were treated as a common pastime. 

Huffington Post reported that

"In 2009, the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups, said Suffolk County political leaders, including Levy, "fanned the flames" of racial hatred before the stabbing death of Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero by a group of young white men."

Then County Executive Levy dismissed the murder of Marcelo Luceroas, stating it was a “one-day story”.

Elected officials around the nation promoting anti-immigrant and anti-Latino agendas have to be taking notice and wondering if they are next.  One thing for sure, Americans are sick, tired and disgusted with those promoting agendas of hate.  It is only a matter of time before they are run out of office, as well.

To read the full article by America's Voice, "Anti-Immigrant Extremist Steve Levy’s Seat Won By Democrat, Another Vote Against Excess" please link here

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CAUSA Joins the Nation in Mourning the Tragedy in Binghamton

Salem, Ore. -- CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition, was deeply saddened by tragedy that took place at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and the community.

The American Civic Association provides services to immigrants and refugees seeking to become citizens and reunite with their families. Reports are indicating that the violent acts were random and that the victims were immigrants taking their citizenship exam.

The victims were, like so many of us, people striving to become citizens of the United States and pursue the American dream. We encourage the nation to reach out and support the victims, their families, and the community of Binghamton in their healing process.

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CAUSA is Oregon's statewide, grassroots immigrant rights coalition. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies.

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Senator Gillibrand Backpedals on Immigration

Last week we reported on Kristen Gillibrand’s ascension to the U.S. Senate and about her change in position on immigration. Gillibrand, a Democrat from the New York’s 20th Congressional District, was chosen by Gov. David Paterson to take the seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

According to a report from MSNBC, Senator Gillibrand is “backpedaling” on her once harsh positions on immigration. Gillibrand is said to be abandoning her position against “sanctuary cities” and “plans to come out in favor of legislation that would roll back federal laws that discourage states from offering the kids of illegal immigrants in-state tuition.”

According to the Associated Press, Senator Gillibrand said, "We need to recognize the heritage that the immigrant community has provided to this country and put policies in place that will reflect that core value."

Why the change of her position? MSNBC reports that she told the New York Times that "In a lot of these issues, it’s a case of learning more and expanding my view."

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Lack of H-1B Visas affecting New York City’s Global Standing?

From Greg Siskind’s blog:

Businesses Say New York’s Clout Is Emigrating, With Visa Policies to Blame

By PATRICK McGEEHAN and NINA BERNSTEIN
Published:
March 24, 2008

New York officials have long taken pride in the city’s status as a global gateway. But lately, senior executives of some of the country’s biggest corporations, like Alcoa, have been complaining that American immigration policies are thwarting New York’s ability to compete with other world capitals.

Every big employer in the city, it seems, can cite an example of high-paying jobs that had to be relocated to foreign cities because the people chosen to fill them could not gain entry to the United States. >>read on

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