Saint Paul, MN – 40 protesters demanded an end to deportations and an end to Wall Street’s wars outside a big-money Democratic Party fundraiser that featured presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, Feb. 12.

The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and the Anti-War Committee joined forces to send their message outside the Minnesota Democratic Party’s fifth Annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. In addition to Clinton and Sanders, the event featured a who’s who of Minnesota’s democrat political establishment, and reportedly raised over $1 million. Seats at the event cost between $50 to $5000 per person. An additional donation of $2000 bought a picture with the presidential candidates.

The MIRAC statement for the protest said they were protesting, “to send a message to all the presidential candidates that we demand #Not1More deportation. The Obama administration has deported more than 2 million people – more than any other administration in U.S. history. We call on all candidates to commit to stopping deportations and separation of families.”

The Anti-War Committee’s statement said they were protesting, “to voice our opposition to many of their policies on war, drones, surveillance and mass incarceration, which have all continued under the current Democratic administration.”

#StPaulMN #AntiwarMovement #MinnesotaImmigrantRightsActionCoalitionMIRAc #AntiWarCommittee

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 – Organizations around the Tampa Bay joined together here for a press conference, April 24, in front of the Ybor Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office, holding two banners, one that read “May Day” and another saying “Stop the deportations.”

Daisy Garcia of the Tampa community group Raíces en Tampa said, “Immigrants risk everything in order to cross the border into the U.S. and to provide a better future for their families. We demand that President Obama end the record-high deportations and that the hold of DAPA be lifted!”

Jessica Schwartz of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression (CSFR) said, “As a group that fights against political repression, we stand with the undocumented and against deportation as a tool used against immigrants.”

Students from the University of South Florida are also joining Tampa’s May Day. Gage LaCharite of Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) said, “We demand that the trend the Florida state legislature started last year – with the passing of HB 851, which granted in-state tuition to the undocumented in Florida – expand to allowing financial aid to these same students! May Day SDS will join in force to demand, ‘Not one more deportation.’”

The press conference ended with Marisol Márquez of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) stating, “Border militarization and deportations will continue if we keep having a system like the one that currently rules the U.S. On May Day we will take to the streets just like our brothers and sisters who took to the streets in 2006. We will demand legalization for all of the undocumented who need and demand liberation, not deportation!”

May Day in Tampa will occur on May 1, at 6:00 p.m. in front of the ICE office located at 1624 E 7th Avenue in Tampa. To view the event online go here: https://www.facebook.com/events/821962151210671/

#TampaFL #Labor #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #FreedomRoadSocialistOrganization #May1 #CommitteeToStopFBIRepression #RaicesEnTampa #Not1More

En los últimos años la mayor parte del movimiento por los derechos de los inmigrantes se enfocó en exigir que el congreso o el presidente tomaran acción para detener las deportaciones y legalizar a los inmigrantes indocumentados. Tras la falta de acción por parte del congreso y la creciente presión de los movimientos de base, el presidente Obama finalmente introdujo una acción ejecutiva, presentando un nuevo programa de acción diferida llamada DAPA y expandiendo el programa de acción diferida del 2012 para los llegados de infancia conocido como DACA.

Sin embargo esta acción ejecutiva es temporal y no cubre a todos los indocumentados. Arbitrariamente excluye al menos la mitad de los inmigrantes indocumentados y no propone dar estatus legal permanente a aquellos que califican. Dicho esto, esta medida tomada por Washington es la más importante en las últimas décadas realizada a favor de los inmigrantes.

Tomando en cuenta que el partido Republicano controla actualmente el congreso, nadie espera una ley de reforma migratoria en los próximos dos años, y debido a la acción ejecutiva que acaba de realizar el presidente Obama, es improbable que este inicie alguna otra acción. Sin embargo millones de trabajadores inmigrantes continúan amenazados diariamente con la deportación, y viven oprimidos bajo las sombras. Hacia donde entonces se dirige la lucha por los derechos de los inmigrantes?

Luchas estatales y locales por la igualdad: licencias de conducir, educación, alto a las deportaciones

No todos los activistas que luchan por los derechos de los inmigrantes estaban enfocados en Washington en los últimos años. A nivel local, un poderoso movimiento popular exigía #Ni1más deportación. Estas campañas en contra de las deportaciones individuales se concentraron en exigir un alto a la colaboración entre la policía local y cárceles del condado con ICE (Departamento de Servicios de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas). Luego de que una serie de victorias lograran que varios gobiernos locales y estatales se rehusaran a cooperar con el programa de deportación “Comunidades Seguras”, estas campañas locales procedieron a exigirle al presidente que pusiera un alto nacional a las deportaciones.

Parte de la acción ejecutiva de Obama fue la eliminación del programa de deportaciones “Comunidades Seguras”; programa que estaba siendo contrarrestado por los activistas a nivel de condado y estatal. La campaña #Ni1mas deportación, que lucha localmente en contra de las deportaciones de individuos, es mayormente responsable por haber presionado exitosamente la acción ejecutiva presidencial.

Igualmente, han habido varias campañas victoriosas a nivel estatal en los últimos años, más notable en California, para lograr que los inmigrantes tengan acceso a licencias de conducir, al igual que acceso a la educación superior a través de las llamadas “DREAM Acts” (leyes estatales a favor de los DREAMERS.) El acceso a licencias de conducir elimina una de las principales causas de deportación: los inmigrantes indocumentados que son detenidos por la policía por manejar sin licencia son entregados a ICE y luego deportados. Las llamadas “DREAM Acts”, permiten que los inmigrantes indocumentados puedan pagar la matrícula estatal en las universidades, en vez de tener que pagar una matrícula internacional mucho más alta.

En los estados donde los políticos conservadores tienen más poder también se han llevado a cabo luchas defensivas en contra de leyes anti-inmigrantes como la SB 1070 de Arizona, al igual que la ley del estado de Georgia que prohíbe que los estudiantes indocumentados asistan a las universidades del estado. En el periodo actual, estas campañas defensivas continuarán siendo de gran importancia en los estados donde ya existan o se lleguen a proponer leyes reaccionarias.

No obstante, el movimiento no debe permanecer a la defensiva. En este nuevo periodo se deben crear audaces campañas a favor de las licencias de conducir y por la igualdad en matricula estudiantil en todos los estados donde todavía no se hayan aprobado.

Estas campañas tienen el mérito de incluir a todos los indocumentados y no corren el riesgo de estar atadas a medidas de represión en la frontera o en el lugar de trabajo; tal y como lo han hecho en todas las propuestas de ley para una reforma migratoria nacional.

Estas campañas a nivel estatal que exigen “licencia para todos” y “educación para todos”, son importantes componentes en la lucha por la igualdad de las nacionalidades oprimidas en los EE.UU y deben ser intensificadas en este periodo.

A pesar de la acción ejecutiva aprobada en noviembre, las deportaciones no cesarán. El hecho real es que los grandes números de deportaciones continuarán siempre y cuando el imperialismo norteamericano continúe destrozando a México y a Centro América. Incluso con la intensa militarización de la frontera y la opresión interna que existe, las personas continuarán emigrando hacia el norte. Las campañas en contra de las deportaciones deben continuar – #Ni1mas deportación continua siendo nuestra meta.

Defender y expandir DACA y DAPA, oposición a la militarización de la frontera y a las redadas laborales

La mayoría Republicana en la Cámara de Representantes del Congreso Nacional, ya aprobó una propuesta de ley para revocar la acción ejecutiva del presidente Obama. Aunque esto debe ser visto como parte del teatro político anticipando las elecciones del 2016, ya que el presidente vetara este tipo de iniciativas, es importante oponerse y señalar quienes son los políticos que descaradamente proponen las deportaciones y medidas de represión masivas.

El movimiento tiene que utilizar este periodo para exponer los males de la militarización de la frontera, la colaboración entra la policía y ICE, y de las redadas y auditorias laborales. Lo que necesitamos es que cada vez más personas se opongan a estas medidas represivas que continúan siendo incluidas en las propuestas de ley para una reforma migratoria comprensiva. Lo que queremos es la legalización de todos y completa igualdad, no mas represión. De igual forma queremos exponer y luchar en contra de la poli-migra, la colaboración cada vez más estrecha que existe en todo el país entre la policía local y ICE, la cual solo busca reprimir aun más a los inmigrantes.

Como demanda inmediata a nivel nacional, el movimiento por los derechos de los inmigrantes debe exigirle al presidente que expanda DACA y DAPA para que cubra a todos los inmigrantes indocumentados. El típico inmigrante indocumentado lleva aproximadamente 13 años en los EE.UU. La acción ejecutiva que fue aprobada en noviembre tiene un sabor agridulce, ya que millones de personas fueron excluidas arbitrariamente. El hecho de que todavía existe la enorme contradicción de que millones de trabajadores indocumentados, que son vitales para la economía de los EE.UU, continúan siendo profundamente oprimidos por la falta de estatus legal, nos demuestra por qué es necesario continuar avanzando por la legalización de todos y por la igualdad.

Hasta que el congreso no pase una ley para legalizar a todos los inmigrantes indocumentados, nuestra demanda debe continuar siendo la expansión de los programas de DACA y DAPA para que abarquen a todos los inmigrantes indocumentados. Aunque temporal, la realidad es que estos programas les permitirán a millones de familias trabajar con permiso en los EE.UU. Esto presiona aun más al congreso para legalizar a todos los inmigrantes en vez de continuar separando familias que ya han echado raíces en este país.

#StPaulMN #DREAMAct #licenciasDeConducir #NoMasDeportaciones #Not1More #Ni1mas

Detaining undocumented immigrants by local police has been a form of targeting, criminalizing and eventually deporting undocumented immigrants, primarily people from Central America and Mexico. Police all over the country can use ICE Detainer Form I-247 (I-247) when conducting exchanges of undocumented immigrants with ICE. Under I-247, local police are never to hold an undocumented immigrant for more than 48 hours. But as we know with the recent Oregon case, Miranda-Olivares v. Clackamas County, the 48-hour rule is rarely honored.

“I had to bail out a friend who is undocumented from jail,” said Oscar Hernandez of Raíces en Tampa. “This friend was locked up over the weekend, which violated the 48-hour limit. Raíces en Tampa will continue fighting against deportations and this victory is only the beginning!”

ICE detainers have been a way for the local police to work as an extension of ICE to deport the undocumented. Every day, over 1000 undocumented immigrants are deported and there is no sign of an end to these massive deportations. Hillsborough County, home to many undocumented immigrants, is the third county in Florida to pass this policy change, which is a victory for the people. All over the U.S., the people are rising up to say, “¡Ya basta!” [Enough!].

“Today we are victorious, tomorrow we continue fighting against the growing deportations and against the attacks on immigrant families and communities,” said Norberto Gazga of Raíces en Tampa. Along with their campaign to fight against deportations, Raíces en Tampa has been pushing since 2013 for immigrants to be allowed to test and obtain a Florida driver's license. To sign their petition go here: http://raicesentampa.wordpress.com/sign-the-dl4all-petition/

#TampaFL #legalizationForAll #RaicesEnTampa #Not1More #StopTheDeportations

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

Asheville, NC – Amidst the backdrop of continuing congressional inaction on immigration reform, over 100 community members gathered at Saint Lawrence Basilica and marched to the courthouse, demanding an end to deportations and full legalization for all families. The Asheville chapter of Coalición de Organizaciones Latino-Americanas (COLA) joined over 80 cities taking part in a National Day of Action to End Deportations on April 5, organized by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).

With patience worn thin from discarded political promises, the marchers chanted “Hey Obama, don't deport my mama!” Protesters held signs that said “Liberation not deportation” and “ICE out of our communities,” with the hashtags #Not1More and #2Million2Many. Several speakers relayed their experiences dealing with the deportation of family members.

“More than 1000 people are being deported every day and President Obama has the authority and the power – he can definitely do what’s right,” said Bruno Hinojosa, a member of COLA. Speakers explained that, despite promises to take action on behalf of immigrants, President Obama has instead functioned as deporter-in-chief.

#AshevilleNC #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcementICE #immigrationRights #legalizationForAll #borderRepression #NoMasDeportaciones