Oregon Leaders join National Fast and Vigil to Demand the 5th Circuit Court Rule on Administrative Relief

5^th Circuit Judges are delaying on ruling that would keep families together

Portland, Oregon –Causa, Oregon’s immigrant rights organization, joins the national Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) along with directly impacted immigrant families and national leaders representing faith, labor, civil rights and the community in launching “The Fast to Keep Families Together”. Today is the start to a powerful 9 day fast and vigil on Wednesday, October 14^th outside the courthouse in New Orleans to demand the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals rule on the administrative relief case they have been sitting on for almost a year. The administrative relief programs could keep families together and provide them with temporary protections.

Aldo Solano, a local Oregon community leader from Woodburn, is among the 8 fasters in New Orleans. In response to why he chose to participate in the 9 day action, Aldo stated, “As a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient myself, I understand how important administrative relief can be for thousands of others who like me, are only trying to work hard and become productive members of society. I'm tired of politicians playing political games with the lives of immigrants who contribute so much to this country.” Aldo joins other fasters from California, Arizona, Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, and New York.

In Oregon, 9 immigrant women in Salem will participate in the national fast, in solidarity with Aldo, and call on the 5^th Circuit to make a decision on administrative relief. “I’m fasting to support the group that’s fasting outside of the 5^th Circuit Court in New Orleans. It’s urgent that the court make a decision soon, and allow all of us to continue advancing” said Norma, one of the 9 women fasting from Oregon.

Three months after the final hearing on the lawsuit against DAPA and Expanded DACA, the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals has failed to rule. This delay has prevented 5 million immigrants from applying for temporary relief for a year now, since the Executive Action was first released. A delay on the part of the 5th Circuit not only prevents the Supreme Court from making a final decision, but defers justice for immigrant communities.

“There is no reason to sit on this decision other than to advance the partisan political agenda of anti-immigrant leaders. Tearing families apart to advance an agenda for political reasons is unacceptable and inhumane.  Politicians and judges who stand against DAPA and DACA stand against American families and communities” said Andrea Miller, Executive Director of Causa.              

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Causa Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary on October 23

Join Causa as we celebrate 20 years and present the American Dreamer Award to six outstanding individuals and organizations! 

Buy your tickets HERE!


Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 at 6:00 p.m
Oaks Pavilion
7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, OR 97202
Tickets: $75 per person

Tickets include dinner, drinks and entrance. Join us as we eat and enjoy live music!

Causa's 20th Anniversary Gala event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with colleagues and friends. If you are a business owner or an organization leader, we urge you to consider buying a table (10 tickets) or half a table (5 tickets) for your staff. This is a meaningful way to support Causa and build camaraderie. Can’t join us? Please consider sponsoring a ticket for a low-income community member. Contact Delia at delia@causaoregon.org. 

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This year’s American Dreamer Awards will go to:

Ramon Ramirez has co-founded Oregon’s leading social justice and racial equity organizations like Causa and farmworker union, PCUN. In his 30+ year career, Ramon has led countless campaigns, established multiple organizations, and made a long lasting impact on the legacy of Latino advocacy in Oregon.

Guadalupe Quinn is a co-founder of Causa, and former board and staff member. Guadalupe has dedicated her life to immigrant rights at the state and local level in her hometown of Eugene. She was a member of Chicano Affairs Center, later Centro Latino Americano. Guadalupe was also founder of the Network for Immigrant Justice in Lane County.

Paul Krissel has been a long-time leader in Oregon’s labor and social justice movements. He spent most of his career working in the labor movement from AFL-CIO to SEIU, and OSEA. Most recently, he served as Causa’s board member and Treasurer for 5 years, and has been an exemplary ally in building relationships between Causa and labor organizations. 

Hozkar Morales Ramos, born in Oaxaca, Mexico with deep ties in Oregon, has been part of the immigrant rights movement since the age of 16.  Hozkar’s active participation has made him a key community leader, sharing important information to Latinos as a radio host for Bustos Media and as a long-time Causa volunteer. 

Representative Jessica Vega Pederson, of Portland’s District 47. Representative Jessica Vega Pederson has been a champion for Latino families in the legislature. Among her many accomplishments, she’s led successful efforts to pass a statewide Paid Sick Days policy, protections for domestic workers, and increasing access to higher education for immigrant students.

Oregon Association of Nurseries has been a leading partner alongside Causa in advocating for Oregon’s Latino immigrant families to restore driving abilities, win immigration reform, and expand deferred action status to immigrant parents.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

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Thank you to our sponsors!     

Presenting Sponsor    

Gold Sponsors 

            

             

Silver Sponsors

              

Bronze Sponsors

                 

                      

   Somos Hispanas Unidas 

                               

     

      
    

  Melhorn & Associates  

Supporting Sponsors

   

Muntz & Ghio Attorneys at Law 

  

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If you would like to be a sponsor for Causa's 20th Anniversary Gala please contact Delia at delia@causaoregon.org

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Governor Brown Signs Access to Opportunity Bill

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Access to Opportunity bill allows undocumented students to pursue dreams of college.

Salem, Oregon- On September 30, 2015, Governor Kate Brown held a ceremonial bill signing for SB 932, Access to Opportunity. The law will help break down barriers and make college more accessible for tuition equity eligible students.  It will allow undocumented Oregon students more time to complete courses at a community college before transferring to an Oregon public university, allow students more time to complete their degree, and expand access to the Oregon Opportunity Grant and other state based scholarship programs.

Access to Opportunity is about ensuring that college can be a reality for every hardworking student in Oregon. “Senate Bill 932 is a tremendous step towards access to higher education. Oregon is demonstrating to the rest of the country that we care about our young people and their futures by breaking down barriers for students to pursue their dreams,” said Perla Alvarez a student at the University of Oregon and Co-Director of the university’s Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlan (MEChA) chapter. This law helps ensure that all students can pursue their dreams.

Starting in the 2016-2017 school year, Access to Opportunity will remove barriers to higher education for tuition equity eligible students in two major ways. First, it will remove the 3 year limit from time of high school graduation to initial enrollment in a public university to qualify for in-state tuition. Many students are attending community college before transferring to a university.  For financial reasons some are obliged to attend part-time, making the three-year timeline nearly impossible. Removing this time limitation will ensure that tuition equity eligible students can continue their higher education. Second, it will remove the 5 year limitation from initial enrollment in a public university to graduation where a student is charged in-state tuition. We know that many students take more than the traditional four years to complete their degree--especially those in lower income brackets. Removing this requirement will ensure that all students can complete their degrees on their own time frame.

Access to Opportunity also reduces financial barriers by making college more accessible for low-income students who previously could not access financial aid.  It extends the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon’s only need-based aid program, to tuition equity eligible students.

“I want college to be a reality for every hard working student. I have two younger sisters, who will be eligible for tuition equity, one recently graduated from high school this year. I want them to have hope for the future. This law can help do that,” said Mariana Paredones a student at Lane Community College and Co-Chair of the Oregon Students of Color Coalition.

The Oregon Student Association (OSA) is a statewide, student-led advocacy and organizing non-profit which was established in 1975 to represent, serve, and protect the collective interests of students in postsecondary education in Oregon.

Causa is Oregon’s Latino immigrant rights organization founded in 1995 to improve the lives of Latino immigrants and their families through advocacy, coalition building, leadership development, and civic engagement.

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ROMPIENDO LAS BARRERAS HACIA LA EDUCACION SUPERIOR.

La ley de Acceso a la Oportunidad permite a los estudiantes indocumentados perseguir el sueño Universitario.

Salem, Oregon- El 30 de septiembre, la Gobernadora Kate Brown llevo acabo una ceremonia para la firma de SB 932,“Acceso a la Oportunidad.” La Ley ayudará a romper las barreras y hacer más accesible la Universidad para los estudiantes elegibles, beneficiarios para igualdad en matrículas. Permite a los estudiantes indocumentados de Oregon más tiempo para completar sus cursos en un colegio comunitario, antes de transferirse a una Universidad pública de Oregon; permite a los estudiantes más tiempo para completar sus grados y expandir acceso a la Beca de Oportunidad de Oregon y otros programas de Becas del estado.

“Acceso a la Oportunidad” trata de asegurar que la Universidad pueda ser una realidad para cada dedicado estudiante en Oregon.” “ La ley del Senado 932 es un tremendo paso hacia el acceso a la educación superior. Oregon está demostrando al resto del país que nosotros nos preocupamos por nuestra gente joven y sus futuros, rompiendo barreras para que los estudiantes persigan sus sueños” dijo Perla Alvarez, una estudiante de la Universidad de Oregon y co- directora del Movimiento estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlan, capítulo (MECha). Esta ley ayuda a asegurar que todos los estudiantes puedan perseguir sus sueños.

Comenzando en el año escolar 2016-2017, Acceso a la Oportunidad, removerá las barreras para la educación superior beneficiando a los estudiantes elegibles para matrícula igualitaria en dos grandes maneras. Primero: removerá los 3 años límite desde el momento de graduación de la Preparatoria a la inicio de la registración en una universidad Pública, para calificar  como residentes del Estado, en el momento  de matricularse. Muchos estudiantes están asistiendo a un colegio comunitario antes de transferirse a la Universidad. Por razones financieras algunos están obligados a asistir medio tiempo, y se les hace imposible cumplir con  los tres años límite. Removiendo esta limitación de tiempo asegurará que los estudiantes elegibles para igualdad de matrícula, puedan continuar su educación superior. Segundo: Removerá el límite de 5 años desde el inicio de registración en la Universidad hasta la graduación, donde el estudiante paga como residente del Estado.Nosotros sabemos que muchos estudiantes toman más de los tradicionales 4 años para completar sus grados, especialmente aquellos con soportes de bajos ingresos. Removiendo este requisito, asegurará que todos los estudiantes puedan completar sus grados en su propio tiempo límite.

“Acceso a Oportunidad” también reduce barreras financieras haciendo la universidad más accesible para estudiantes de bajos ingresos que previamente no podían acceder a ayuda financiera. Extiende la Beca de Oportunidad de Oregon, único programa de Oregon  basado en la necesidad de ayuda, a estudiantes elegibles. “ Yo quiero que la Universidad sea una realidad para cada  dedicado estudiante. Yo tengo dos hermanas más jóvenes, quienes serán elegibles para igualdad de matrícula, una recientemente graduada de la Preparatoria, este año. Yo quiero que ellas tengan esperanza para el futuro. Esta Ley, puede ayudar para eso”, dijo Mariana Paredones una estudiante del Colegio Comunitario Lane y vice de la Coalición de Estudiantes de Color.

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