Obama to Push Immigration Bill as One Priority

Finally the national debate about immigration will start, according to this article published today on the online version of the New York Times.

Latino immigrants supported President Obama with over 60% of their vote, which in time meant high pressure for the promises made during the campaign about discussing immigration.

Is Obama going to come forward with his promises? And if so, what are the conditions that his proposal will include to legalize 12 million undocumented immigrants? Will he follow the "Bush road" of "pay to play"?

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT TO COMMEMORATE CESAR CHAVEZ'S BIRTHDAY

President Barack Obama today made the following statement to commemorate Cesar Chavez's birthday:

"Today, on what would have been his 82nd birthday, Cesar Chavez's legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and as a civil rights leader who struggled for fair treatment and fair wages for America's workers is important for every American to remember.

Having begun as a farmworker, Cesar Chavez eventually co- founded the United Farm Workers and struggled to provide hundreds of thousands of people with better working conditions and the chance to live a better life. The cause of fair treatment and fair wages for America?s workers lives on today through the work of countless others.

Chavez's rallying cry, "Si Se Puede" -- "Yes We Can," was more than a slogan, it was an expression of hope and a rejection of those who said farmworkers could not organize, and could not take on the growers. Through his courage, Cesar Chavez taught us that a single voice could change our country, and that together, we could make America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation."

Obama Flinches on Immigration

This editorial published on the New York Times on March 24th reports the withdrawal of the Obama's administration offer to Thomas Saenz, "a highly regarded civil-rights lawyer and counsel to the mayor of Los Angeles, to run the Justice Department’s civil rights division."

Although it might have been a missed opportunity to set some record about the Obama's administration intentions regarding immigration, it seems that a more moderate route was preferred by nominating Thomas Perez, Labor Secretary from Maryland. The decision, according to the article, was caused by pressure from the right-wing anti-immigrant groups. However, I wonder how much the decision was influenced by the Mexican border situation and Thomas relationship with controversial Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. And the main question: Does Obama need to start yet another fire?

A Slippery Place in the U.S. Work Force

This article by Julia Preston published by the New York Times on March 21st describes the unsettling situation of undocumented immigrants due to the economic crisis and the continuing immigration raids in different parts of the country. Read how they are coping with the difficulties and how people react to the situation.

The Knock at the Door: San Francisco’s Sanctuary Status Under Fire

Keeping up with SS procedures -read to the end- on immigrants' persecution and arrests, the ICE "hunters" took six undocumented immigrants from a private home in San Francisco last week. Elena Shore, an editor for New America Media and Josue Rojas, a video producer for New America Media, ask how protected undocumented immigrants really are in this “sanctuary city.”

Con traducción al español

Also, on the same issue, read about the impact of raids in other communities:

Immigration Raids Startle Communities in Oakland and Berkeley

For Latino Delegates and Leaders, "Ya Basta!"

In the verge of presidential elections, the Republican administration, apparently oblivious to its political consequences, continues to conduct expanding raids and deportations that are separating hard-working families and terrorizing whole communities. Latino elected officials, community leaders, and members of the faith and business community joined efforts to stop these actions.

Fear follows largest workplace raid in U.S. history

Outrageous! At the Mississippi immigration raids, government officers are quickly turning into SS best practices, signaling undocumented immigrants in the Jewish persecution’s fashion.

"...she was fitted with a bracelet and told to appear in federal court next month."

What else is coming? Read about the consequences the raids are having on immigrant working families, their children, their towns and their employers.

Sign the Pledge!
In the face of immigration turmoil, this pledge shows that compassion, dignity and solidarity still abound in this country.

Minutemen Launch National Campaign in San Francisco

Read and watch this incredible video of the Minutemen activities now creeping up to additional cities. Excellent report from New America Media, the country's first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations.