Carlos Montes es un líder reconocido a nivel nacional en el movimiento chicano, de derechos de los migrantes y en la lucha contra la guerra. Fue cofundador de los Boinas Cafés (Brown Berets), una organización chicana de la clase trabajadora en Estados Unidos a finales de los años 1960 y 1970. Los Boinas Cafés se inspiraron y a menudo fueron comparados con el Partido de las Panteras Negras (Black Panther Party). 

Montes fue uno de los líderes de las huelgas chicanas de 1968 en el Este de Los Ángeles, una serie de huelgas estudiantiles en las preparatorias del Este de Los Ángeles. Él fue interpretado por Fidel Gómez en la película de HBO “Walkout” de 2006. Montes fue uno de los “ELA 13” acusados por un gran jurado por conspiración para interrumpir el distrito escolar de Los Ángeles. Con los Boinas Cafés, Montes organizó la primera protesta de la Moratoria Chicana contra la guerra en Vietnam en el Este de Los Ángeles el 20 de diciembre de 1969.

Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste! se reunió con Carlos Montes para saber por qué las fuerzas de derechos de los inmigrantes se están movilizando para la Cumbre del Suroeste Contra las Deportaciones el 12 y 13 de abril en Los Ángeles, California.

Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¡Bienvenido, Carlos! Cuéntanos un poco sobre ti y cómo te uniste al movimiento.

Carlos Montes: Me uní al movimiento cuando la lucha por los derechos chicanos estaba creciendo. Me motivó el Movimiento de la Liberación Negra. Haber crecido enfrentando acoso policial me llevó a involucrarme. Solo soy un chico del pueblo fronterizo de Juárez [Texas], y aquí sigo – organizando por la educación pública, los derechos de los inmigrantes, contra la brutalidad policial y luchando por nuestras comunidades.

Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Cuáles son los principales ataques que enfrentan los inmigrantes en este momento?

Montes: La punta de lanza son los arrestos y deportaciones de ICE en todo el país. Aquí en el sur de California, desde el 23 de febrero, están enfocándose principalmente en comunidades chicanas, latinas y algunas asiáticas de clase trabajadora. La Secretaria de Seguridad Nacional apareció en televisión nacional en español amenazando: “Regresen”, o si no. Están arrestando a residentes legales, personas que llevan años aquí. ICE, DHS y el FBI están usando autos sin identificación, vigilando casas, sembrando miedo.

Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Cómo podemos luchar contra esto?

Montes: Aquí en Boyle Heights, Centro CSO está haciendo recorridos por los barrios puerta a puerta con información de conoce-tus-derechos para resistir a ICE. En LA, la Coalición de Autodefensa Comunitaria va a las redadas y grita con megáfonos: “¡No salgan!” Les recordamos a la gente sus derechos. En algunos casos, ICE se va. Desde febrero, miles han salido – como las 15,000 a 20,000 personas en LA que marcharon por toda la ciudad, el ayuntamiento e incluso en la carretera, regresando luego a Boyle Heights. El 8 y 17 de febrero marchamos desde comunidades chicanas inmigrantes de clase trabajadora hacia el centro de la ciudad. Estudiantes de preparatoria lideraron paros escolares durante varias semanas. La comunidad está saliendo a protestar.

Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Por qué debe la gente movilizarse para la cumbre?

Montes: Es importante que todos los activistas por los derechos de los inmigrantes vengan, tengan una voz unida, un frente unido. Esta conferencia nacional iniciada por la Red Legalización para Todos denunciará los ataques de Trump y DHS contra los inmigrantes. Los chicanos y los trabajadores están bajo ataque – y están luchando y resistiendo. Esto es histórico. En los años 60 y 70, en el auge del movimiento chicano, tuvimos las conferencias de MEChA, El Plan de Santa Bárbara y las Conferencias Nacionales de Liberación de la Juventud Chicana en Denver. Ahora tendremos madres, jóvenes, gente de todos los ámbitos asistiendo a la cumbre.

Es una oportunidad para conocer activistas jóvenes y mayores, aprender unos de otros, unirse y compartir tácticas. Por eso estamos planificando arduamente – las inscripciones están aumentando.

Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Cuál es el significado de realizar la conferencia en Boyle Heights y en el Este de LA?

Montes: El Este de LA es una comunidad chicana que siempre ha luchado por la justicia – contra la guerra, contra el abuso policial, por la educación, contra el Sheriff del ELA. Boyle Heights es un barrio inmigrante de clase trabajadora con historia de resistencia. En los años 30 y 40 resistieron deportaciones y ataques militares racistas durante los Zoot Suit Riots. En los años 50 lucharon contra las carreteras que desplazaban familias. En los años 60 los estudiantes se levantaron contra el abuso policial y la guerra en Vietnam. Hoy luchan contra la gentrificación, altas tasas de COVID, y ICE. Sindicatos como el de maestros, las familias de las víctimas de asesinatos policiales, y comunidades negras y morenas se solidarizan aquí.

Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Qué podemos esperar en la conferencia?

Montes: Elvira Arellano, quien inició el movimiento de santuario en Chicago hace años, fue deportada y regresó – ella va a hablar. La hija de Jeanette Vizguerra también vendrá. Tendremos a Amerika García Grewal de Eagle Pass hablando, ahí es donde el gobernador Abbott ha tomado control de las zonas fronterizas federales. Grupos como MIRAC, Unión del Barrio, UTLA, Proyecto Pastoral y Colorado CSO liderarán paneles sobre cómo luchar y resistir. Rafael Avitia de La Mesa Brown Berets también hablará. Habrá talleres y una gran conferencia de prensa llamando por protestas masivas y un paro de trabajadores inmigrantes para el Primero de Mayo.

Noticiero ¡Lucha y Resiste!: ¿Un mensaje final para la gente?

Montes: Vengan al Este de LA el 12 de abril – donde el movimiento chicano luchó contra la guerra, la policía, y por la educación pública – y a Boyle Heights el 13 de abril – donde resistimos a ICE, las carreteras, y la gentrificación. Esta conferencia será histórica. La llenaremos de gente, como en los viejos tiempos. ¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!

Para registrarse para la Cumbre del Suroeste para Detener las Deportaciones, visite:  https://tinyurl.com/summitagainstdeportations

 #ImmigrantRights #Trump #Deportations #CentroCSO #CarlosMontes #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #L4A

Chicago, IL – The streets of Little Village in Chicago were filled with the sounds of drums and voices, February 8, as a crowd of 1500 people of all ages moved through this historic Mexicano/Chicano neighborhood.

Marchers representing a coalition of 30 organizations came together in response to the call by the Legalization for All Network for national days of action to stop the attacks on immigrants.

Angel Naranjos, a student from the University of Illinois – Chicago who grew up in Little Village, opened the rally on behalf of the Immigrant Rights Working Committee of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR).

Naranjos stated, “We’re gathered here today to protest the attacks on people who only came here searching for a better life. We’re witnessing some of the broadest attacks on immigrants in our lifetimes. People who are here to work are being attacked by a racist, reactionary Republican administration. It’s up to us to build a visible and powerful resistance. It’s up to us to show that when we get into the streets, when we fight, we can win.”

“We are an army”

Kobi Guillory of CAARPR and the Chicago Teachers Union spoke of growing up in South Africa, stating, “The racism that made Black people poor in South Africa, that keeps them poor is the same racism against Black people in Englewood, and the same racism I see targeting people right here in Little Village.”

Guillory also said about this movement against the attacks from the White House, “We are an army. If any one of us is attacked, all of us are going to fight back!”

Other organizations in the protest included Chicago Community and Workers Rights; Familia Latina Unida; Kabataan Alliance, a new network of Filipino organizations to fight Trump; Freedom Road Socialist Organization; and Students for a Democratic Society – UIC. With Aldermen Mike Rodriguez (22nd Ward) and Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward), everyone came together for visible resistance to the Trump attacks on Chicago and its immigrant community.

Chicago singled out by Trump

Trump has singled out Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson because of the strength of the movement in this city. Trump’s “Border Czar” Tom Homan has even complained that ICE has been unable to terrorize the community here because the people in Chicago are organized and know their rights.

But the limited attacks here and numerous attacks across the country are still traumatic. Dr. Mercedes Martinez of the League of United Latin American Citizens explained the psychological impact of separation of families, stating, “The inhumane treatment of our people is absolutely devastating. It will cause lifelong problems. The abandonment, the separation, causes anxiety.”

“White supremacists erase the true history of the U.S.”

Nazek Sankari of the US Palestinian Community Network, a familiar figure from leading many scores of protests in Chicago against the Zionist genocide in Gaza since October 2023, also spoke.

Sankari stated, “These last 19 days, there has been a slew of executive orders targeting immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ community and women. This is an attempt by these bigoted white supremacists to erase the true history of the U.S., founded on genocide.

“These same white supremacist forces are waging a genocide on Gaza. One executive order even threatens to deport the brave international students who participated in the student uprisings in solidarity with the Palestinian people last spring.”

“This is our land. We’re ready to struggle!”

Four buses of immigrant workers and their families came from the Casa DuPage Workers Center in the west suburbs to join the march, with many banners, bullhorns and drums. Cristobal Cavazos of Casa DuPage said of this movement, “We have a new consciousness. We have new self-respect and dignity. We’re workers. We’re replacing the chip that we’re illegals, that we’re criminals, that we don’t belong here.”

Cavazos continued, “This is our land. We’re ready to struggle!”

#ChicagoIL #IL #ImmigrantRights #Trump #Deportations #NAARPR #CAARPR #USPCN #CTU #L4A

Minneapolis, MN – 130 U of MN Twin Cities students and supporters gathered outside of the Student Union in the windy, freezing weather on Thursday, February 6, to demand safety for all immigrant and international students on campus.

Shortly after the university announced they plan to comply with ICE orders on campus, UMN SDS announced an emergency rally and march to call for a “Sanctuary Campus” where undocumented students and faculty are protected from the threat of deportation from federal authorities. This message was echoed throughout the various speeches and on signs in the crowd, including, “School is for education, nor deportation” and “My dreams are bigger than your walls.”

After initial chants of “Up, up with liberation; down, down with deportations” rang through the crowd, the first speaker kicked off the protest by repeatedly reminding everyone that “all persons in the United States have Constitutional protections.”

Dr. Montes of the University of Minnesota’s Chicano Studies Department emphasized that students should create a safety plan by sharing emergency contacts with friends and loved ones, as well making sure to understand they have the right to remain silent. If an ICE officer or other official does not have a warrant signed by a judge, people do not have to answer questions or go with them.

After a few more speakers continued to carry on the messages that immigrants belong in the U.S. and on Minnesota campuses, the group walked down Washington Avenue behind banners that read “Stop the deportations; sanctuary campus now” and “Students against the racist reactionary Republican agenda.”

A quick stop outside the UMN Police Station allowed for Emilio César Rodríguez, a UMN student who is running for city council in Ward 3, to speak about the North STAR Act, which prohibits local and state officials from collaborating with federal immigrant officials. It would safeguard immigrants throughout Minnesota as a whole – making it a sanctuary state. The march ended outside of McNamara Alumni Center where three more speakers concluded the rally.

Other groups within the U of MN campus have also called for ICE off campus and for the administration to ensure the rights of student immigrants.

Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social (MALCS), Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and Mi Gente are three UMN student groups that have upcoming events focused on immigrant rights.

#MinneapolisMN #MN #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #SDS #MIRAC #MALCS #MiGente #Trump #Deportations #Feature

ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has just announced that they would start to round up thousands of undocumented immigrants in cities across the United States. They plan to separate even more families and deport long-term U.S. residents whose only crime is to try to provide a better life for their families. Their purpose is to terrorize our communities and rally anti-immigrant support for Trump’s 2020 campaign. This is another outrage by the Trump administration. No raids, no deportations, no family separations!

There is a crisis at the border – one that the United States and the Trump administration has created. Years of U.S. free trade and regime change policies have been a disaster for Central American countries. Central American refugees, many if not most of them women and children, are fleeing violence so bad that even the U.S. State Department has advised U.S. tourists not to go there! Thousands of refugees, many of whom are children, are being held in concentration camps at the border, and more and more are dying in detention. The administration says that they lack resources to properly care for the refugees – but they have enough money to carry out raids throughout the United States. We say, “Asylum for refugees. End the border concentration camps. No increase in border funding for ICE/CBP [Customs and Border Patrol]!”

The typical undocumented immigrant has been living in the United States for 13 years or more. Millions of them have U.S.-born citizen children or immigrant children who have known no other home than the United States. They come to work and to better the lives of their children – just as other immigrants have done for generations. We support the legalization of the DREAMERS, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and others with temporary visas. We say, “Legalization for all!”

Trump is a bigot who is trying to demonize and dehumanize refugees, claiming that they are criminals, drug dealers and rapists. He is racist who has referred to Central American and African countries as “shitholes.” First he launched an attack on Muslims with his travel ban, now it is Central Americans and Mexicans who are his target. He claims that immigrants and refugees are coming to take jobs but the cities with the most immigrants have the lowest unemployment rates.

We ask you and your organizations to protest the planned raids and lend all assistance possible to those who are caught in the Trump administration dragnet.

Legalization for All (L4A) Network

NO RAIDS, NO DEPORTATIONS, NO FAMILY SEPARATIONS!

END THE BORDER CONCENTRATION CAMPS, ASYLUM FOR REFUGEES, NO INCREASE IN BORDER FUNDING FOR ICE/CBP!

LEGALIZATION FOR ALL!

#UnitedStates #International #OppressedNationalities #US #Americas #PeoplesStruggles #ChicanoLatino #deportations #ImmigrationAndCustomEnforcementICE #LegalizationForAllNetwork #DonaldTrump

Tallahassee, FL – Community members and students gathered in front of the Old Tallahassee Capitol, June 19, to protest the planned mass deportation of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent, from the Dominican Republic.

The protest was organized by Black Liberation Action Coordinating Committee (BLACC), Haitian Lives Do Matter, and Recycle4Haiti Foundation Inc.

The protest attracted 15 supporters of the Haitian community, who stood at the intersection of Monroe Street and Appalachee waving signs. Afterwards, the protesters moved to the capitol steps, where they chanted “No human is illegal,” and “Haitian Dominicans are Dominicans.”

Regina Joseph of BLACC told the crowd “The Dominican Republic and Haiti are divided because of Western imperialism.”

Selestria de La Cruz, a member of BLACC, stated “We need to call the embassy of the Dominican Republic and boycott any travel or purchases from the Dominican Republic. We cannot support the economy of a country that does not support its people.”

#TallahasseeFL #ImmigrantRights #Haiti #deportations #Antiracism #BlackLiberationActionCoordinatingCommittee #BLACC #HaitianLivesDoMatter #DominicanRepublic #Americas

Tampa, FL – More than 50 people gathered outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Ybor, a Tampa neighborhood, May 1. Uniting on International Workers' Day, community members, workers, immigrants and students demanded not one more deportation. The Department of Homeland Security and the Tampa Police Department showed up in armored vehicles and took to the streets on bicycles in an attempt to intimidate the activists.

George Nasser of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression-Tampa (CSFR) said during his speech, “The change we strive for will never come from the ballot box; it will never result from empty reforms or endless dialogue; it will come when we take to the streets.”

The rally was emceed by Alicia Gazga and Alekos Zambrano, both members of Raíces in Tampa. The rally in front of the ICE office was organized by Raíces en Tampa, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Student/Farmworker Alliance (SFA), Florida Peace Action Network, Block the Boat Tampa, Casa Chiapas Tampa, and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression-Tampa.

Zambrano said, “Raíces en Tampa supports the people fighting back. From Arizona against anti-immigrants laws enforced by people like Sheriff Joe Arpaio, to the people of Baltimore fighting back against the murder of Freddie Gray, on of their own!”

After hearing from speakers, the activists took to the streets of Ybor and marched around the ICE office. Some of the chants were, “Up, up! With liberation! Down, down with deportation!” “Se ve, se ciente, el pueblo esta presente!” and “From Tampa, to Baltimore, not one more!”

“I had never attended a May Day rally before,” said Roman Hernandez, an undocumented immigrant from Tampa. “I led a few chants during the march.”

Students from the University of South Florida provided transportation to the rally for the undocumented community of Tampa from the central location of La Mexicana, predominantly Mexican store.

Claudia Hernandez, who is undocumented, was one of the community members who accepted a ride from a student. The police presence made her uncomfortable and she approached the organizers of the event to ask if more people could escort her and her three young children to and from the student's car. “I don't want them to follow us and then try to do something to my family and I,” said Hernandez. “We aren't doing anything bad. We're demanding a stop to the deportations. The same deportations that they help make possible, here in Tampa.”

Marisol Marquez of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), said, “Today, we also remember all the fighters before us like those in Ferguson, like those in Sanford, like those in New York, and those currently in Baltimore, we yell down with the rich and powerful. Down with killer cops of our Black sisters and brothers like Freddie Gray, Mike Brown and Trayvon Martin! Down with killer cops of our Brown sisters and brothers like Jessie Hernandez of Arizona and Antonio Zambrano of Pasco, Washington. Down with those who cannot accept that we, the people, the poor, the workers, the students, the immigrants have come out to the streets today to stand up and fight back. May Day is our day and we celebrate it with pride, uniting all that we can around us.”

#TampaFL #Labor #MayDay #deportations #internationalWorkersDay #Not1More

Tampa, FL – A rally by immigrant rights activists on Sept. 25 stopped the planned next-day deportation of David Sanchez. Sanchez, who moved to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 14, was fighting to stay in Florida where he works and has a family. The community rallied outside of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office in Tampa.

Sanchez was ordered to wear an ankle monitor so that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could track his every move. He filed for an extension of his work visa, but was denied.

Local groups called for action against ICE and DHS to stop Sanchez's deportation. Over 200 people from around the country called the local Tampa ICE office demanding a stop to the deportation. Later that day, 70 people rallied outside the DHS office with Sanchez's family, chanting “Not one more!”

Yadalis Sanchez, David Sanchez’s daughter, said, “It is not fair that ICE can tear apart a family.”

Marisol Marquez, spokesperson for immigrant rights group Raices en Tampa, said, “Today, we've had enough. Tampa won't forget. No politician was here to help David Sanchez and his family. The people who are here today are the ones really supporting people like David Sanchez. We know the immigration system is doing exactly what it is meant to do – to separate us and hold us down.”

David Sanchez announced during the protest that ICE had sent him an e-mail regarding his deportation. It stated that ICE was giving him a three to six month extension on his visa.

Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez of the Florida Immigrant Coalition said, “Even with an extension, we don't want another deportation tomorrow. We don't want one next week, next month, or next year! No more!”

Protesters continued to rally, chanting, “When we fight, we win!” and “El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido!” or “The people united can never be defeated!”

Groups that helped organized efforts to support Sanchez included Raices En Tampa, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Young American Dreamers, and United We Dream.

The actions on Sept. 25 temporarily stopped Sanchez from being deported. The struggle continues against other deportations, and the people understand that this fight is not over.

Marisol Marquez explained, “Obama deports 1100 people like David Sanchez each day. That's why we're planning on protesting him and his 'Deportation Party' on Election Day, to demand a stop to all deportations. We need Deferred Action for All and legalization for all 11 million undocumented in the U.S.”

#TampaFl #TampaFL #Obama #PeoplesStruggles #deportations #Florida #Immigration #RaicesEnTampa #DavidSanchez #Rights

Saint Paul, MN – Immigrant rights activists protested outside Senator Franken's campaign office Sept. 11, to send the message, “No more deportations, no more delays, no more excuses.” After demonstrating outside, they marched into the office and presented their demands to three Franken campaign staff members. Several community members spoke passionately to the Franken representatives. They said Franken should make a public statement reversing himself and calling for Obama to take executive action now to stop deportations. The Franken staff members said they would pass what people said on to the senator.

The protest was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC). They protested Franken, a Democratic Party senator, because last week he and a few other Democratic senators publicly told Obama to delay taking executive action to stop deportation of immigrants. Because of the inability to move any pro-immigrant legislation through Congress and mounting immigrant rights protests around the country, Obama had promised to take executive action by the end the summer. But because of the Democratic senators' statements at the 11th hour, presumably prompted by election-season jitters, Obama announced he would once again delay action needed to stop deportations at least until after the November election.

MIRAC member Brad Sigal said, “You can always come up with reasons to delay taking action for justice. If it’s not elections, it’s something else. But the time is now to stop deportations – no more delays, no more excuses. More than 1000 people are deported every day, so this delay means 60,000 more people will be deported, on top of the 2 million people already deported under this administration. Minnesota can’t wait. We call on Senator Franken to join us in telling President Obama to take executive action to stop the deportations now.”

#SaintPaulMN #deportations #AlFranken #MIRAc #BarackObama #MinnesotaImmigrantRightsActionCommittee

Minneapolis, MN – On Aug. 9 immigrant rights activists organized a vigil in Minneapolis as part of an International Day of Action in solidarity with Central American refugee children. Vigils were held in many cities in the U.S., Mexico and Central America. The vigils demanded protection and legal status, not detention and deportation for the tens of thousands of Central American children crossing the border into the U.S. – fleeing violence and extreme poverty in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. The Obama administration is currently focusing on speeding up deportations of the children rather than treating them as refugees that need legal protective status and family reunification.

Activists and community members gathered at 8:00 p.m. on Lake Street and 12th Avenue at the statue of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata. They held signs and banners, chanted and held lights as dusk set in. Many passers-by honked and waved to show their support. The protesters paid homage to the spirit of Zapata, chanting “Zapata vive, la lucha sigue!” (Zapata lives, the struggle continues!) and did many other chants calling for full equality and an end to deportations. After chanting and bannering for an hour the group came together and shared stories of experiences of family separation, why young people cross the U.S.-Mexico border and the need to join together and organize to support migrant children.

The vigil was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) as part of an International Day of Action in Solidarity with Refugees and Immigrants. The call for the day of solidarity originated with grassroots immigrant rights activists in Mexico and Texas.

#MinneapolisMN #deportations #MIRAc #CentralAmerica

Washington D.C. – More than 1000 protesters marched through the streets here, Aug. 2, demanding a stop to deportations of immigrants. Protesters called on President Obama to stop deportations, which have exceeded 2 million under his administration.

Protesters from around the country gathered at the National Mall in the morning and marched towards the White House, demanding President Obama to make an executive order to stop deportations. In the past Obama issued temporary relief for Dreamers – called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The protesters demanded that he extend this to all undocumented immigrants living in the United States.

Demonstrators chanted, “Not One More” and “El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido” – The people united can never be defeated.

As the protesters closed in on the White House, they met thousands of other protesters who were in support of Palestine and against the attacks on Gaza. At one point both crowds were chanting, “Not One More, Free Free Palestine!”

The protesters rallied across from the White House front lawn where speaker from many groups called on Obama to act now.

#WashingtonDC #deportations #DeferredActionForChildhoodArrivalsDACA

Obama claimed that any action to stem the tide of deportations would make the Republicans mad so that they won’t act on immigration reform. But the reality is that it has been almost a year since the Senate passed their Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) bill last June 27. Despite this bill being so loaded up with more militarization of the border, expanding workplace verification, expanded temporary worker visas and elimination of the diversity visa to woo right-wing Republicans, the Republican led-House of Representatives has refused to consider an immigration reform bill. While there are a lot of rumors that Republicans are softening, the House just shot down a bill sponsored by a California Republican that would legalize undocumented veterans of the U.S. military.

Many forces in the immigrant rights movement have condemned Obama’s latest action to appease Republicans. Pablo Alvarado, executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), said that the delay “damages legislation’s prospects, hurts real people...” Marisol Marquez, of the Tampa, Florida immigrant rights organization Raices, told Fight Back!, “Obama needs to stop hiding behind the House Republicans. Face the people and put a stop to deportations.”

But sadly enough, a few organizations, including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration, among others, not only approved of Obama’s delay, but actually encouraged him to do so. With deportations running at a pace of more than 1000 per day, supporting this delay means supporting the deportation of at least another 60,000 immigrants, many of whom could be eligible for legalization.

#SanJoséCA #deportations

Tampa, FL – On May 3, protesters demanded “not one more” deportation for the millions of undocumented in the U.S. This was Tampa's second May Day protest against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and Obama's record 2 million deportations. Joining together at Centennial Park in Ybor City, they rallied under a banner that read, “Shut down ICE.” Ybor City is known as a home for immigrants and has been a destination for the migration of different peoples for over 100 years.

40 people gathered under a pavilion to talk about drivers licenses for the undocumented, deportations, and May Day. People from Raices En Tampa, Students for A Democratic Society, Tampa Dream Defenders, League of United Latin American Citizens, Casa Chiapas and Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke to the crowd.

Alicia Argenal of Raices En Tampa said, “We want to tell President Obama no more! No more separation of families. I have 15 years without giving a hug to my auntie and grandma. Nine months without seeing my mother and sister. This affects me personally and we are tired of our community living in fear!”

Marching from the pavilion they took to the streets. They took up a lane of traffic and circled a local ICE office chanting “Policia, la migra, la misma porqueria” (Police, ICE, same old dirty work). They were soon followed by several cop cars, as they marched back to the park. At the park, protesters said actions against deportations can't end on May Day. Groups plan to keep organizing in town.

#TampaFL #MayDay #deportations #internationalWorkersDay #Not1More

Tampa, FL – The U.S. prides itself in having a day to ‘give thanks.’ They call this, ‘Thanksgiving’ and it's supposed to be a time when the family unites and shares a home-cooked meal. This tradition, however, is not always shared by immigrant communities.

For Alicia, a member and founder of Raices en Tampa, this year she will not be celebrating Thanksgiving with her family. Alicia's family is split apart between two countries.

In the fall of 1998, Hurricane Mitch swept through the Atlantic Ocean. The rainfall that fell during Mitch's travel through Honduras flooded over 2 million homes and killed about 11,000 people. The U.S. permitted the entry of some Hondurans during this time. Among them were Alicia and her other four family members: her father, mother and one older and younger brother. They arrived in Naples, Florida that year and attempted to rebuild their lives.

Many Hondurans arriving at this time were extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is much like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which was given to young undocumented immigrants in June of 2012. TPS is only available for two years and those who have it must reapply, while paying hundreds of dollars for new applications while losing all of their documentation in the meantime. They can face harassment, stalking, arrests and even deportations while they wait for their renewal request for TPS to be approved.

“Sometimes when I go to renew, if the person in Naples does not know what they are doing or if they want to be nasty, they will take my license and cut it in half,” says Alicia.

Alicia's family has each had their fair share of bad experiences while in the U.S. Alicia's mother Irene was pulled over for driving without a license and the police officer threatened to jail her and have her deported. Knowing her responsibility as a mother to two minor children, Irene decided to never drive after that arrest. This quickly became a setback because, even to do a simple task like shopping for groceries, Irene had to ask someone to provide her with transportation.

“As an immigrant and one with such a temporary status, you grow up quickly and learn that the law is used to terrorize us,” says Alicia.

Irene was so afraid to drive that, in October this year, she decided to self-deport back to her native Honduras along with her youngest daughter. Irene put everything she had accumulated in 15 years up for sale. That which she did not sell she gave away to Alicia or friends and neighbors. In a week, everything this family had built with their own work, tears and struggles was only a distant memory.

“I want President Obama to know there are over 2 million deportations, now. All of this is happening without him really caring or even trying to stop them from happening. During his Thanksgiving, I hope Obama thinks about all of us undocumented immigrants who are torn apart from our families and can't share anymore meals with our families,” says Irene.

Raices en Tampa, which is group in Tampa, Florida that Alicia help found, has decided to push for a way to stop these attacks on the approximately 1.5 million undocumented immigrants in the state of Florida. So far, DREAMers Moms Orlando and United Families in Miami have endorsed the action and many others are beginning to express support.

Alicia is positive her work with Raices en Tampa will succeed. “No one deserves to be torn from their home or family for simply driving to work or going to school. We all need jobs, but how are we supposed to drive without a driver’s license? Florida should not deport anymore immigrants for driving without a license. Licenses for all now in the state of Florida!”

Raices en Tampa is collecting public support for their campaign, “Driver's Licenses for All Undocumented – Florida”. They ask that you take a picture of yourself with a sign that reads, “I support driver's licenses for all in Florida! #DL4ALLFL!” and that you email it to raicesentampa@gmail.com.

Marisol Márquez is a member of Raíces en Tampa

#TampaFL #Honduras #deportations #thanksgiving #legalizationForAll #borderRepression #DriversLicenses #ImmigrantsRights #RaicesEnTampa

In the first four years of the Obama administration, there were as many deportations of undocumented immigrants as in the eight years of Bush. Deportations under Obama are now on track to hit 2 million by the end of this year.

While the Obama administration claims that this crackdown is necessary to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR), it is pretty clear that the bipartisan CIR is dead for now. There is no bipartisan House bill, with the Republicans who were working with Democrats on a bill backing out. The federal government is partially shut down – not Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) repression though – and the gap between the Democrats and Republicans has never been wider. With the upcoming debt ceiling limit looming, Washington D.C. is all about the budget, not immigration reform.

The Obama administration is also claiming that it is focusing on criminals. But most of those deported have committed no crime. In addition, hundreds of thousands of undocumented parents of U.S. citizen children, and even more parents of undocumented children, have been deported, tearing apart families.

ICE is also doing another round of workplace audits, the so-called ‘silent raids’ that can force the firing of thousands of undocumented workers. While they are not deported, they are driven further underground. Further, their chances of legalization under a future CIR bill could be harmed, in that the current CIR calls for a continuous work record, which won’t exist for undocumented forced to work totally off the books and under the table.

There is a growing demand in the Chicano, Mexicano, Central American and Latino communities for the president to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to all undocumented. Why is the government deporting people who might be eligible to legalize under a future immigration reform bill?

Ultimately, what is needed is legalization for all undocumented. But with no legalization law on the horizon, partial steps such as Deferred Action would help the undocumented. They would be able to work legally and would not be subject to ICE raids. Deferred Action also doesn’t have all of the bad elements of the Senate CIR bill, which would further militarize the border, increase workplace repression, reduce family reunification and end the diversity visa program that brings in about half the immigrants from Africa.

There are shortcomings to Deferred Action. While some states are trying to deny those receiving DACA driver's licenses, many others would allow them to drive. Those on Deferred Action would still not eligible for Medicaid or federal subsidies for health insurance under the new Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). And of course there is always the possibility that a new administration would even target those on Deferred Action for future deportation.

But by allowing the undocumented to come out of the shadows, they would not only benefit personally, but the movement would have a stronger basis to press for full legalization. The editors of Fight Back! support the growing demand for Deferred Action for All as a practical way to push back against the tsunami of deportations that is happening right now.

#UnitedStates #deportations #governmentShutdown #deferredAction #comprehensiveImmigrationReform #legalizationForAll #DACA #driversLicences

Charlotte, NC – On July 17, the day of Uriel Alberto’s scheduled meeting with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and likely deportation, Alberto received a phone call and was told his order of ‘Stay of Removal’ had been approved.

What started off as a simple demonstration against reactionary anti-immigration policies, turned into a year-long struggle against Uriel Alberto’s ICE-enforced deportation process. In Raleigh, on Feb. 29, 2012, immigrant rights group El Cambio crashed a House Committee meeting on immigration issues, resulting in Alberto standing up and ripping off his outer shirt, revealing an undershirt reading, “Undocumented and Unafraid!”

Alberto was detained for his actions, sparking a ten-day hunger strike against his imprisonment. He was eventually released, but from then on ICE has been scheduling a year-long process in deporting him back to Mexico because of his unwillingness to do so voluntarily.

On July 4, what many in the United States mark as their Independence Day, Alberto launched a hunger strike against his scheduled deportation in front of the ICE office here in Charlotte. A petition was subsequently launched, calling for the U.S. House of Representatives to call off their hunt, reaching over 400 signers.

As was suggested by friends and family, Alberto began calling for an order of ‘Stay of Removal’ as July 17 kept getting closer and closer. Since then, it’s now been approved. A ‘Stay of Removal’ isn’t a permanent solution, but it would allow Alberto to remain in the country until the immigration court is able to sort out any legal issues and then bring back up his deportation case. For now, his deportation has been postponed.

When asked of the campaign’s temporary success, Alberto said, “Well I feel blessed with all the support from loved ones and strangers alike. Though I also feel some remorse because I feel there are others a lot more deserving perhaps, that have not been as lucky as I am. I’m glad to be able to stay in the country, but this “Stay of Removal” does not allow or give me any rights. This is part of the new immigrant working class that the Federal Government is creating, but it is a small victory in a long battle, and I’m ready to put it behind me and keep moving forward. Hopefully we will be able to apply for DACA now, because previously the government had advised us to not apply.”

Given the nationwide struggle for immigrant rights, and the subsequent call for ‘Legalization for All’, Alberto wished to speak to all those who are fighting the same struggle. “My one piece of advice to everyone,” he says, “is to fight until the end. To not give up, to not self-deport, but to fight your cases until the end!”

#CharlotteNC #deportations #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #immigrationRights #ElCambio #legalizationForAll #UrielAlberto

Charlotte, NC – On July 4, father and head of household Uriel Alberto sat in front of Immigration and Customs Enforcement office here to partake in a hunger strike against his scheduled deportation on July 17. The hunger strike was temporarily suspended for him to join his family and friends in Winston-Salem who demonstrated against his deportation, but will return to Charlotte on July 8 to continue his hunger strike.

What started off as a simple demonstration against reactionary anti-immigration policies, turned into a year-long struggle against Uriel Alberto’s ICE-enforced deportation process. In Raleigh, on Feb. 29, 2012, immigrant rights group El Cambio crashed a House Committee meeting on immigration issues, resulting in Alberto standing up and ripping off his outer shirt, revealing an undershirt reading, “Undocumented and Unafraid!”

Alberto was detained for his actions, sparking a ten-day hunger strike against his imprisonment. He was eventually released, but from then on ICE has been scheduling a year-long process in deporting him back to Mexico because of his unwillingness to do so voluntarily.

Alberto has been in this country since he was seven. He’s the father of two children and provides for them financially. His deportation won’t just affect him as an individual with rights, it will affect his whole family, if the reactionary rightists get their way.

Giovanna Vargas, member of Yadkinville chapter of El Cambio, has started a petition, calling for the U.S. House of Representatives to end the hunt against undocumented immigrants, and in particular Uriel Alberto. The petition can be accessed here: http://www.change.org/petitions/john-morton-luis-guti%C3%A9rrez-help-stop-the-deportation-of-devoted-father-and-head-of-household

Giovanna says in relation to the current situation, “Uriel's case is one of many. Families are torn apart every day; perfectly good parents are taken from their children. Their children are then placed into institutions, when they actually have parents who love them and want to care for them. This immigration reform makes the system worse – it further criminalizes those families who want nothing more but a safe and better future.”

She continues, “North Carolina legislators have a huge fight on their hands, because organizers like myself, and more people from our communities are watching, we are resisting and we will keep fighting against the powers that be.”

So show your solidarity to Uriel Alberto by signing the petition, sharing it amongst friends and family, and join with Alberto in Charlotte, in front of the ICE office, in hunger strike against his deportation.

No more deportations! Legalization for all! ¡No a las deportaciones! ¡Legalización para todos!

#CharlotteNC #deportations #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #immigrationRights #ElCambio #legalizationForAll #UrielAlberto

So around the country people will call their senators to demand that they support legalization for all undocumented immigrants; that they reduce the time to reach legal permanent residency; that they eliminate the militarization of the border and surveillance drones from the bill; and that they stop the deportations now.

The current Senate bill has more than a ten-year wait for undocumented immigrants to become legal permanent residents. This and other barriers will act to exclude many from legalization.

Right now hundreds of immigrants are dying as they try to cross the border because the militarization of the border has driven them to harsh desert areas. The current Senate bill could lead to military drones flying over millions of Americans who live within 100 miles of the border – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Under the Obama administration, there has been record number of deportations. The call-in day will demand that Senators support a moratorium on deportations while the legalization process is starting.

Call the two U.S. Senators for your state. Find their phone numbers here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.

Call the US Representative in your district by putting your zip code in the box in the upper right corner of this page: http://www.house.gov/representatives/.

For more details, go to facebook.com/LegalizationForAll.

#LosAngelesCA #deportations #immigrationRights #comprehensiveImmigrationReform #legalizationForAll #borderRepression

Tampa, FL – Immigrant rights activists across the country will be participating in a national call-in day, Feb. 14 to demand, “Stop deportations and legalization for all!”

A statement for event organizers says “On Feb. 5 President Obama was asked if he would edit his immigration policy to include stopping the deportations; President Obama refused. We will not accept this! No human being is illegal! This Valentine's Day, immigrant rights groups and allies across the nation will be having a national call-in-day to tell President Obama and the White House to ‘Stop breaking our hearts! Stop the deportations!’”

Hugo Sanabria of Tampa Dream Defenders says, “I will be calling in on Valentine's Day because as a community we owe it to each other to call in and attempt to make a difference in a family's life that might be in danger of deportation.” Sanabria and his family emigrated from Mexico many years ago and like the 11 million other undocumented immigrants, could be deported at any minute.

Organizers of the call-in day say, “In 2012 over a record 409,000 immigrants were deported. The 'Senate bipartisan framework' isn't good enough – we want to push for genuine, progressive immigration reform.”

In recent weeks, immigrant rights and other progressive organizations from around the U.S. have signed on to a public statemen t about what should be in a plan for immigration reform. The statement urges: Legalization for all; no second-class guest worker programs; no to more militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border; and no increased workplace repression – everyone should have the right to work with dignity and labor rights.

Groups that have signed the statement include Centro CSO (Los Angeles, CA), Dream Defenders (Tampa, FL), Dream Defenders (University of Florida, Gainesville, FL), Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (Minneapolis, MN), Southern California Immigration Coalition (Los Angeles, CA) and Students for a Democratic Society – National Working Committee.

Organizers of the call in day are urging people to:

• Call the White House at 202-456-1111, Feb. 14, starting at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time
• Follow this link and submit your demands: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments
• Tweet this message: #StopTheDeportations #LegalizationForAll, no 2nd class ‘guest worker’, no border militarization! @BarackObama @WhiteHouse

For more information, click the Facebook event here:

http://www.facebook.com/events/157261074427320

Or email LegalizationForAll@gmail.com

#TampaFL #deportations #legalizationForAll

Minneapolis, MN – On Jan. 12, immigrant rights activists protested outside the Hennepin County jail, demanding that Sheriff Stanek stop using the jail as a deportation machine. More people are deported from the Hennepin County jail than from any other jail in the state.

The protest was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc). MIRAc’s No More Deportations campaign is targeting Sheriff Stanek, demanding that he change policy in the Hennepin County jail to stop cooperating with the ‘Secure Communities’ deportation program, by ceasing to honor ICE hold requests. Jail-based deportation programs like Secure Communities are the main source of deportations and separation of families, which have reached record numbers, with well over a million deportations in the last four years.

When people are booked into county jails, they are now run through a national Secure Communities database and ICE flags people they want to interview. So even if a person is arrested without cause and isn’t charged with anything (as happens quite commonly with Latino, Black and Native people in Hennepin County), they still go through the booking process and can end up getting deported.

It’s not mandatory for county jails to hold people extra time (at the local jail’s cost)for ICE to come interview them, so many county jails around the country are deciding to stop honoring ICE’s hold requests. Most significantly, the California attorney general recently declared that jails statewide will no longer have to cooperate with ICE hold requests. Many counties in other states are also making the same decision, as they don’t want their local jails to be turned into conveyer belts to ICE’s deportation juggernaut.

Sheriff Stanek has a long history of antagonizing people of color and immigrants. Before he was sheriff, he admitted to racist conduct when he was an officer. He pushed for the state to adopt harsh anti-immigrant policies. He also antagonized progressive political movements like Occupy Homes, using heavy-handed tactics to carry out foreclosures, and he was in charge of the repressive police response to the Occupy Minneapolis encampment in People’s Plaza, which was on Hennepin County property, last year.

MIRAc’s No More Deportations campaign will continue to target Sheriff Stanek to stop deportations in Hennepin County jail. The next protest targeting Stanek will be Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9:00 a.m. in front of the jail at 4th Avenue and 5th Street in Minneapolis.

#MinneapolisMN #deportations #MIRAc #NoMoreDeportationsCampaign #SecureCommunities #SheriffStanek

Due to mass outrage, Andiola’s mother and brother have been released from custody Andiola’s mother had been placed on a bus to Mexico, when the bus driver received a phone call and made a U-turn. The bus driver then explained to Andiola’s mother that her daughter had successfully organized the entire country to stop her deportation.

Later, after Andiola’s brother was released, he reported that ICE showed him a large file they had on his sister. This is an attempt at intimidation.

For years, Erika Andiola has been taking a stand against the oppression visited upon her and millions of other immigrants. Andiola is known for her aggressive manner in confronting politicians. From Arizona Sheriff Arpaio to Mitt Romney, Erika Andiola has been there to directly ask, “Why continue immigrant oppression?”

Immigrant rights activists like Erika Andiola demonstrate how ICE and other repressive forces will not silence those who advocate for justice. In a country that does not recognize undocumented immigrants as – first and foremost – people, immigrant rights activists represent the demand for full legalization for all.

President Obama won his reelection in part due to his platform for changes to the current immigration laws. In 2012, under Obama's presidency, more than 400,000 immigrants were deported.

Activists and the immigrant population know President Obama will not push for what is truly needed: legalization for all. So it is up to us to continue with direct resistance. Stand up, fight back!

#TampaFL #deportations #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #ErikaAndiola