America's Voice Blog

Posted 03/21/10 at 07:46pm By Jackie Mahendra

Photos from the March For America: Over 200,000 Rally for Immigration Reform

As the buses leave Washington to return to Florida, New York, and as far away as California, here are some of our photos from the day. These are mostly crowd shots -- over 200,000 people came out to call for real immigration reform, economic justice for workers, and to keep families together:

Posted 03/21/10 at 09:12am By Jackie Mahendra

Live Updates: March For America for Real Immigration Reform in Washington, DC

Today's the day. Tens of thousands of people are registered to come to the National Mall for today's immigration reform rally, called the March For America. Hundreds of buses are still pouring in from across the country, and several major progressive and pro-migrant bloggers will be reporting directly from the rally, which starts at 2pm. Expect coverage from Vivir Latino and Crooks and Liars, among others, as well as pictures and video from the National Mall. Look for a performance by Grammy award-winning talent, Los Lonely Boys! Live-streamed video should pop up at C-SPAN, Telemundo or Univision. On twitter, check out the #m4a hashtag. Follow @AmericasVoice and @RI4A.

Updates:

5:30 PM: Rounding out the day were Los Lonely Boys, El Piolin, and more-- check back for stories and video soon. Reports vary from a quarter to half a million people. That sounds like a success to me!

4:30 PM: So much to report. John Willhelm of UNITE HERE: "Freedom is never granted, it is won."

4:11 PM: Rep. Judy Chu from California says that we can no longer scapegoat immigrants.

4:05 PM: Young child named Bladimir sends a message to President Obama about his family being torn apart. Carlos, a key student organizer for the Dream Act, describes the courage and the power that youth bring to the immigrant rights movement. Four brave youth walking from Florida to Washington, D.C., on what they call the "Trail of Dreams," send a powerful message to the March. You can check them out here.

4:00 PM: As I announced earlier on twitter, we had some problem with the internet connection here, but we've been tweeting updates from the day-- here are a couple highlights:

  • Obama: I pledge to help pass #cir, immigration reform this yr

  • Obama at #m4a: we understand that immigration reform doesn't just affect 1 community, but our whole nation

  • A msg from @BarackObama video on stage, spirit of Ted Kennedy is with us

  • Two hundred thousand people on the mall looks like: http://twitpic.com/1a2q2a

  • Sen Menendez: in the shadow of these civil rights monuments, we must fight to stop separating families

  • Rep Gutierrez: Justice now, justicia ahora. President Obama's pen can turn hope into victory. Our friends, familes, neighbors, have waited 2 long.

    You can check out the full feed at the March for America website.

    12:00 PM: While the crowd streams in, here's an important piece by Andrea Nill yesterday afternoon at Think Progress, which highlights a new study by the Center for America Progress that estimates the cost of a mass deportation policy (which many opponents of immigration reform support). Such a policy would run taxpayers a whopping $285 billion over five years:

    "This weekend, several thousands of people are expected to gather on the National Mall to demand action on immigration reform. The immigration restrictionist group NumbersUSA is meanwhile responding with a four-day campaign to “stop amnesty” which starts today...However, a study released this afternoon by the Center for American Progress shows that the enforcement-only approach that restrictionist groups incessantly advocate for isn’t sustainable in the long-term..."

    11:30 AM: Pam's House Blend cites today's New York Times article on the march, writing, "And a healthy representation of people in the march will be LGBT and black groups, two constituencies that have not been seen as vocal supporters of immigration reform."

    11:15 AM: Check out video from SEIU's "Faces of March for America: Change Takes Courage:"

    10:30 AM: Marisa Treviño reports on a Texas delegation to the March:

    Spirits were high as people dragged pillows and luggage onto any of the five buses and three vans parked in the church's parking lot designated to ferry the marchers to DC.

    Preliminary reports say that over 100,000 people are expected on the National Mall in DC on Sunday brought by 900 buses from 35 states.

    They not only bring high hopes with them but are delivering a clear message to Capitol Hill that they're tired of waiting for Congress to deal with an issue that will never be "politically safe" but is the right thing to do.

    On flickr, check out the the March For America (#m4a) photo stream:

Posted 03/19/10 at 01:25pm By Jackie Mahendra

News Recap: Bipartisan Framework for Reform, March for America, Latino Voters

With tens of thousands of people heading to Washington for the March for America this Sunday and the news of a bipartisan framework for comprehensive immigration reform legislation from Senators Schumer and Graham, there’s a lot of news to track today – here’s a quick recap for the folks at home.

One major development is summed up in this USA Today headline, “Obama pledges to push immigration reform:”

Just hours after he cancelled an international trip to stay in Washington and fight for health care legislation, President Obama has announced that he's ready to start pushing forward on another controversial issue: immigration reform. In an election year, no less.

A week after he met with senators Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, and Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, to talk about immigration, he congratulated them on working together to come up with a "framework" for reform.

"I am pleased to see that Senators Schumer and Graham have produced a promising, bipartisan framework which can and should be the basis for moving forward," Obama said. " It thoughtfully addresses the need to shore up our borders, and demands accountability from both workers who are here illegally and employers who game the system."

The Associated Press led with the President’s statement, too, in "Obama backs senators immigration overhaul outline."

CNN has an article on its website about the “thousands of people” who will be attending Sunday’s march (Already, more than 50,000 are planning to attend):

Thousands of people are expected to pour into Washington for a Sunday rally demanding immigration reform, launching the first public battle over the issue since the announcement of a new bipartisan plan endorsed by President Barack Obama.

Click here to read more.
Posted 03/19/10 at 10:14am By Rafael Prieto

‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration: Outline Released; March on Sunday!; Arpaio on the Loose

On the eve of Sunday's march, other stories attracting the attention of the Spanish-language media include an op-ed from Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsey Graham sketching the outline of a bill for comprehensive immigration reform, and another round of raids being undertaken by Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona.

Outline released. The op-ed from Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), outlining the basis of an immigration reform bill, appears in today's edition of the Washington Post. President Barack Obama has released a statement supporting the Senators’ proposal. EFE, the AP, Reuters, El Universal and La Jornada have more on the story. EFE mentions that Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has stated that he wishes to seek common ground on reform.

Click here to read more.
Posted 03/18/10 at 08:16pm By Jackie Mahendra

President Obama, Senator Reid Issue Statements Supporting Bipartisan Progress on Immigration Reform

Today Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) released a bipartisan framework for comprehensive immigration reform.

Here is the President's statement, praising these efforts:

 

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2010

 

Statement by the President Praising the Bipartisan Immigration Reform Framework

In June, I met with members of both parties, and assigned Secretary Napolitano to work them and key constituencies around the country to craft a comprehensive approach that will finally fix our broken immigration system. I am pleased to see that Senators Schumer and Graham have produced a promising, bipartisan framework which can and should be the basis for moving forward.  It thoughtfully addresses the need to shore up our borders, and demands accountability from both workers who are here illegally and employers who game the system.

My Administration will be consulting further with the Senators on the details of their proposal, but a critical next step will be to translate their framework into a legislative proposal, and for Congress to act at the earliest possible opportunity.

I congratulate Senators Schumer and Graham for their leadership, and pledge to do everything in my power to forge a bipartisan consensus this year on this important issue so we can continue to move forward on comprehensive immigration reform.

Click here to read more.
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:02pm By Jackie Mahendra

Frustrated Calls for Immigration Leadership from President Obama (Then and Now)

This week has seen mounting pressure on President Obama to make good on his promise to reform our dysfunctional immigration system. From key community organizers who are planning this Sunday's March for America to the first Member of Congress to endorse then-Senator Obama's presidential bid, here are a few important voices on the matter.

Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) had this to say today at Huffington Post, in a piece called "Obama on Immigration: Then and Now:"

Three years ago, when I met with Senator Barack Obama in his Chicago office and we contemplated his possible run for the presidency, I was enthusiastic.

On that day, it was hard for me to imagine a time I would have to say no to Barack Obama when he asked me for support. But last week, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus sat down with the president, and he asked us to vote for the health care reform bill -- a bill that denies immigrants the opportunity to purchase health care with their own money. It was one more in a string of disappointments for the Hispanic community, and today, I no longer find myself able to confidently say "yes" when President Obama asks me for his support.

Gutierrez continues with a comparison of Obama's committments to the Latino community as a candidate and his record as President:

After Barack Obama announced his candidacy, I was in the field from coast to coast promoting him. I promised the Latino community that --at last-- we had a candidate who would fight for us and for our causes.

Then, as a candidate, Senator Obama told packed auditoriums, "I think it's time for a President who won't walk away from something as important as comprehensive reform when it becomes politically unpopular."

Then, he said, "I will make it a top priority in my first year as President - not just because we need to secure our borders and get control of who comes into our country. And not just because we have to crack down on employers abusing undocumented immigrants. But because we have to finally bring those 12 million people out of the shadows."

That was then. This is now.

Now, for Latinos in this country --for anyone who cares about fair, comprehensive and humane immigration reform-- Barack Obama has delivered "change." It's been a change for the worse.

Then, candidate Obama said "I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country."

Now, the President defines "universal" as everyone but immigrants, who are denied even the opportunity to pay into the system, to demonstrate their commitment to a healthier America, to access care anywhere but the emergency room at the greatest expense to us all.

Then, candidate Obama brought thousands of Latino activists to their feet by promising action on comprehensive immigration reform.

Now, President Obama devotes one out of 71 minutes in the State of the Union to immigration.

Then, he said, "We cannot and should not deport 12 million people. That would turn America into something we're not; something we don't want to be."

Now, in his first year alone, the President has deported a record 387,790 immigrants, ordering ICE to remove 13 percent more undocumented immigrants than George Bush did during his last year in office.

Now, as American families continue to be separated, as immigrant workers continue to be abused by employers, as the need for a fair and sensible solution becomes more urgent every day, this administration's action on comprehensive immigration reform can fairly be summarized with one word: nothing.

Click here to read more.
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Posted 03/18/10 at 10:04am By Rafael Prieto

‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration: Leahy Wants Solutions; Called to March; End Deportations!

Sunday's March for America continues to dominate the Spanish-language media, while calls for an end to deportations and a challenge from Senator Patrick Leahy are also in the news.

Leahy wants solutions. Comments by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) asking opponents of immigration reform to propose a solution to the issue other than sanctions and enforcement get covered by EFE and Univision.com. Sen. Leahy is Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Called to march. La Prensa (Orlando), in an editorial titled “Called to march,” writes: “Enough! Latino voters aren’t stupid, and when the time comes they will punish politicians who try to manipulate them. It’s time for a show of strength to demand respect, an end to persecution and a comprehensive immigration law.”

 

Click here to read more.
Posted 03/17/10 at 12:41pm By Jackie Mahendra

Kiss Me, I’m Mexican!

OK, no, not really. I'm Irish, folks! Well, a quarter anyway. Ok not really a quarter, there's some German and French in there somewhere, too.. just don't tell my Indian (dot, not feather) and Dominican ("Spanish") sides. The point is I've got freckles gosh-darn-it. Well, in the summertime mostly. Whatever.

Look, it's St. Patrick's Day, and I'm an Irish mutt... At least I'm not Mexican!

Ok, ok, I know what you're thinking. Is this crazy lady racist? Nope, just pointing out that "Mexican" is the new "Irish." It's pathetic, but just saying the term "Mexican" these days sounds like a slur.

Mexican, Mexican, Mexican.

There's even a California-based blog and regular L.A. Times column called, "Ask A Mexican!" that pokes fun at this disturbing reality.

Click here to read more.
Posted 03/17/10 at 09:34am By Rafael Prieto

‘Qué Pasa’ in Immigration: Esperanza for America; March for Rights; Coast-to-Coast Enforcement

As the drumbeat toward Sunday's March for America continues, the Spanish-language media also covers yesterday’s press conference announcing the launch of the national Esperanza for America campaign, and developments in several states regarding immigration raids and enforcement.

Esperanza for America. The Hispanic Evangelical network Esperanza held a press conference yesterday featuring Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart to announce its Esperanza for America grassroots campaign for immigration reform. An EFE report quotes Reverend Luis Cortés saying:

“We reject the notion that conservatives do not support immigration reform… The purpose of Esperanza for America is to make sure that Congress hears that 60% of Americans consistently support immigration reform.”

Cortés leads the Esperanza network, which includes over 12,000 congregations and community organizations.

Click here to read more.
Posted 03/16/10 at 03:07pm By Frank Sharry

A Moment of Truth on Immigration Reform

The tipping point is here. The time has come. In all political and social movements there comes a moment when the confluence of events is so powerful they just can’t be ignored or dismissed. The long-running effort for comprehensive immigration reform is one such movement and its moment of truth is at hand. 

Our immigration system is badly broken and a majority of Americans support reform. The White House supports it. Most Democrats and some Republicans are prepared to vote for it.  Only a vocal minority oppose it. Yet the question remains whether President Obama will make a forceful and public push for reform legislation, and whether Congress has the guts to pass it.

If they needed any indication that the time to act is upon us, they will get it on Sunday when tens of thousands of people from across the country – citizens and immigrants alike – descend on the National Mall in Washington in a show of support for immigration reform aptly named the March for America.

Americans of every hue and political stripe will be demanding action on yet another item that has languished for too long at a time when it is in the interest of every American to pass immigration reform. The participants strongly believe that our immigration system is horribly out of step with our interests and our values.  They want legislation that addresses the myriad problems in the current immigration laws. Mostly, they want immigrants here without papers to get them and families that are separated by a heartless bureaucracy to be united.  They are so frustrated with the lack of action that they are doing that most American of traditions: they are assembling to petition their government. 

Those of us who have been in the trenches of the battles for immigration reform, who have listened and taken part in the endless debates, fought against the mischaracterizations of the issues and the demonization of immigrants, are wondering just what more will it take for Congress to move.

Click here to read more.

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