En el primer año de la nueva administración hubo cambio pero no progreso
Hace un año, los chicanos, mexicanos y centroamericanos celebraron el fin de ocho años de la administración de Bush. Además de lanzar dos guerras y provocar la mayor crisis financiera desde la Gran Depresión, la administración de Bush intensificó la represión contra los inmigrantes. Las redadas y deportaciones de los obreros por el Servicio de Inmigración y Aduanas (ICE) se duplicó, y luego se duplicó nuevamente con Bush. El gobierno de Bush implementó el programa conocido como 287(g), en el que ICE trabaja junto con la policía local y permite que racistas como el alcalde Joe Arpaio de Arizona hostigue a los chicanos, mexicanos y centroamericanos. La ley de octubre de 2006 “Secure Fence Act” intensificó la militarización de la frontera con México, contribuyendo a la muerte de más inmigrantes intentando entrar a los Estados Unidos.
_Year One of the New Administration Saw Change but not Progress _
One year ago Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans celebrated the end of the eight years of Bush administration. In addition to launching two wars and ushering in the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression, the Bush administration stepped up repression against immigrants. Raids and deportations of workers by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) doubled, redoubled and then doubled again under Bush. The Bush administration implemented the notorious 287(g) program, where ICE teamed up with local police and sheriffs allowed racists such as Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio to harass Chicanos, Mexicanos and Central Americans. The October 2006 “Secure Fence Act” stepped up the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border, contributing to the deaths of more and more immigrants trying to enter the United States.
On April 10, more than 35,000 people marched through San Jose to protest against House Resolution 4437. The bill would criminalize the undocumented, build 700 miles of walls along the U.S.-Mexico border and force local and state police to help enforce immigration laws. As the overwhelmingly Chicano and Latino crowd assembled, cars, trucks and semis drove by honking and waving Mexican flags. Marching through the barrio of east San Jose to the city hall downtown, the marchers chanted “Si Se Puede!” (Yes, we can!) and “Se ve, se siente, la raza esta presente!” (We’re seen, we’re felt, La Raza (Latinos) are here!). Contingents of students from high schools marched in with signs and banners and many youth were handing out cards advertising May 1 as a day to walk out of school, to not go to work and to boycott business.
