Los Angeles, CA – DACAmented youth, organizers of Centro Community Service Organization (CSO), public school teachers, parents, children, and others will be gathering at Mariachi Plaza in support of the continuation of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and for Legalization for All. Los Angeles has the highest concentration of DACA recipients in the country, which has allowed around 200,000 young immigrants and their children to live and work here for the past decade. An end to DACA would take away their protection from deportation and would tear families and our city apart.

When asked why she was joining the event, Juliana Castellon said, “Everyone in the United States, regardless of whether or not they are born here or not, should have access to scholarships, FAFSA and in-state tuition when pursuing a higher education. I’m fighting for all who are under threat if DACA is ended.”

Join us to demand that the U.S. Congress extend DACA for the 600,000 recipients nationwide and accept new applications. We are also calling for a permanent legalization process for all immigrants in the U.S. The event will take place at 5 pm on Monday, November 7.

Tomasa Martínez is a member of the CSO immigration committee and is a mother to DACAmented youth said she was joining the rally because, “I wish with all of my heart that those in the Supreme Court would listen to the demands for our children. Give our children the opportunity to live their lives without fear. On Monday I will be making sure that message is heard.”

Questions regarding the event should be directed to Centro CSO at (323) 484-8630, CentroCSO@gmail.com, or @CentroCSO on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook.

#LosAngelesCA #LegalizationForAllNetwork #DACADeferredActionForChildhoodArrivals

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Legalization for All Network.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA was issued in 2012 by then-President Obama in response to increasingly large and militant protests by undocumented immigrant youth who came out as “undocumented and unafraid.” For 10 years, DACA has given temporary relief to millions of undocumented people, and allowed for them to work, attend school, and live with less fear of deportation.

This could all end, since the Supreme Court will be ruling on the constitutionality of DACA, deciding the fate of millions. If the recent ruling on Roe v. Wade is any indication of what could await DACA, we need to stand up and fight back!

The Legalization for All Network (L4A) is calling on all immigrant rights groups and allies to mobilize in their current cities and states to help save DACA. Two senators exist per state, and we urge you to start pushing them to act. The House passed a bill that would legalize people with DACA in 2021. President Biden supports it, but it’s on the U.S. Senate to act. The composition of Congress could change after the elections for the worse. If they don’t act now it may be too late.

Organize to put pressure on your U.S. Senators to act now to legalize people with DACA.

Actions around the country will include the following cities and organizations: Los Angeles’ Centro CSO; Tucson, Arizona; the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas —La Frontera Nos Cruzó; New Orleans, Louisiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota — Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC).

If you too would like to participate, message us now! It’s time we unite, stand up, and fight back for all who are under attack. Save DACA and unite for Legalization for ALL!

#UnitedStates #DACADeferredActionForChildhoodArrivals

Los Angeles, CA – On June 11, community members and Centro CSO (Community Service Organization) activists gathered at Boyle Heights Mariachi Plaza, supporting Deferred Action for undocumented immigrants. Demanding the Supreme Court continue the Deferred Action programs, people from the neighborhood came out to make and send their own messages to the Supreme Court.

Before Deferred Action, undocumented youth fought for legalization through support of the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act would have given status for the undocumented under the age of 30 who came to the U.S. before the age of 16 and who had graduated from a U.S. high school.

For years, the fight intensified for legalization, with DREAMers, those who would benefit from the DREAM Act, taking a leading role in the action. With record deportations during the Obama administration, DREAMers shifted attention towards Obama in demanding legal status. Under pressure, President Obama initiated Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2012. DACA gives temporary legal status for DREAMers, under similar guidelines in the DREAM Act, which protects them from deportations and allows them to work and go to school.

In 2014, Obama initiated Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA), which could extend temporary legal status to undocumented parents of U.S. citizens. Twenty-six Republican governors organized a lawsuit against President Obama’s Deferred Action program. These Republicans are attempting to block any legal rights for DREAMers and the undocumented parents of U.S. citizens.

The right wing in the U.S., with their leader Donald Trump, want to deny any rights to immigrants and want to execute mass deportations of all immigrants, especially those from Mexico. The Supreme Court began hearing the case on Deferred Action in April and will decide on whether or not Deferred Action is legal by the end of June. Depending on how the Justices of the Supreme Court vote, Deferred Action could be decided in three ways: the Court could decide in favor of Deferred Action and keep the program as is, the Court could tie – keeping the lower court’s block against DAPA but allowing the Supreme Court to reargue the case, or the Court could decide against Deferred Action and stop the program altogether.

Millions of people around the U.S., especially in the Southwest, stand to benefit from this program. Millions more have their lives in the hands of the black robes in the Supreme Court.

Knowing millions of undocumented parents are at risk of deportation, immigrant rights groups have been fighting for Deferred Action around the country. In the past two months numerous protests have been held outside the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. to support Deferred Action. And in states like Wisconsin, DREAMers have taken to the streets to unite their own neighborhoods to fight for DAPA.

Kat Sanchez with Centro CSO said, “With the Supreme Court’s decision on DAPA inching closer and closer, we got out there today and got a chance to talk to the community and gained much support for our cause. It was great to be able to talk one on one with so many people and even take a couple of group photos! So many strong messages, so many passionate people are fighting for one cause. I support DAPA because I believe that families have no borders!”

Centro CSO called on Boyle Heights to unite at Mariachi Plaza and send their own messages to the Supreme Court. The messages were written on a white board and pictures were taken of each message. Countless families, organizations, tourists, and Boyle Heights neighbors took their very own angry, energetic and supportive pictures. Centro CSO plans to send these pictures to the Supreme Court demanding that they support Deferred Action. Some of the messages included: “Justice for families; unfreeze DAPA!” “The laborers support the migrants!” and “We fight for equality!”

On the fight for Deferred Action and legalization, Sol Marquez of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) and a member of Centro CSO said, “As a Chicana, born into a Mexican and migrant farmworker family, I have traveled from coast to coast with different crop seasons. This opportunity has allowed me to see that the U.S. gives little to zero interest in legalizing undocumented immigrants. The U.S. is scared that workers, once legalized, will rise up and fight for much more than DAPA. We demanded full equality today and DAPA is another step to achieve it.”

Other groups supported the Sunday action, including the Los Angeles Committee of the MORENA Party of Mexico, and MEXA de ELAC (East Los Angeles College).

Centro CSO and others in Boyle Heights have been fighting for Deferred Action and supported a resolution within the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council backing DAPA. The resolution supporting Deferred Action, initiated by council members Maria Ocampo and Carlos Montes, was approved. The people of Boyle Heights support this step towards legalization. Many are waiting attentively on the Court’s decision. The people know the fight continues in the streets to win full equality and legalization for all immigrants.

#LosAngelesCA #CentroCSO #DACADeferredActionForChildhoodArrivals

Los Angeles, CA – In early 2014 there was hope that undocumented parents would be able to be protected against deportation, when President Obama issued an executive order to create Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Deferred Action for Children Arrivals, also known as DAPA/DACA. In 2014, 26 Republican governors, led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, filed a lawsuit in federal court that blocked its implementation. The Obama administration filed a speedy appeal challenging the Republican-led lawsuit. The U.S. Supreme Court will hold oral arguments in April and issue a ruling in June 2016. Millions of people will be are anxiously watching this ruling. Centro CSO plans to continue fighting for Deferred Action and legalization for all in the East Side of Los Angeles.

This January members of the Boyle Heights community group Centro CSO gathered to start the New Year fighting against deportations and in favor of Deferred Action. Knocking door-to-door, flyering outside of churches and taking to the streets, members of Centro CSO obtained many petition signatures in support of Deferred Action.

Centro CSO is a grassroots community-based organization that fights for equality for Mexicans, Chicanos and Latinos in the Boyle Heights area.

On Jan. 20, Centro CSO organized a successful first meeting for the year, in the heart of Boyle Heights. Plans for 2016 include a March 5 action to pressure the U.S. Supreme court for a favorable ruling on Deferred Action. Chicano activist Carlos Montes, arrested in the 1968 ELA walkouts, called on the meeting to unite and make plans for a large march and rally on May 1 in the heart of Boyle Heights to demand legalization for all and equality for Chicanos and Latinos.

Boyle Heights has a long history of resistance and mass marches against attacks. In 1994 over 150,000 people, mostly Latinos, marched in the heart of Boyle Heights to protest California proposition 187 that would have criminalized the undocumented.

Last year’s Central American refugee crisis shines a light on how the U.S.’s lack of immigration reform and a fair refugee policies causes suffering for Central Americans. The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Customs Enforcement began deportation proceedings of Central Americans who have been denied political asylum. Central Americans may be granted political asylum but they must file an application and prove their case. However Mexicans are not eligible for political asylum and to avoid arrest by ICE take the dangerous routes to cross the U.S. border. They face death crossing dangerous desert terrain and violence on the border. Racist attacks continue against the undocumented and are being promoted by politicians like billionaire Donald Trump.

“Deferred Action for Parents of Americans will open the doors to many parents who have been in the shadows for years,” says Maria Ocampo of Centro CSO. “The parents who day after day fight for a dream. They deserve the right to live with no fear of being deported. No more separation of families!”

“A new year means a new victory left to fight for and win,” Says Sol Marquez another member of Centro CSO. “While Trump and other politicians running for U.S. president are busy trying to fool us, deportations continue. And while many organizations would push the undocumented aside, in Boyle Heights we’re trying to organize them to fight back! DAPA would mean protection against deportations for thousands of undocumented immigrants.”

Centro CSO has monthly organizing meetings. If you would like to get involved call 323-943-2030 or email centrocso@gmail.com. If you would like to sign the online DAPA petition click here: https://centrocso.wordpress.com/l-a-support-legalization-for-all-now-sign-the-petition/

#LosAngelesCA #ChicanoLatino #CentroCSO #deferredAction #DACADeferredActionForChildhoodArrivals #deferredActionForAll

The expansion of Deferred Action would have shielded up to 5 million undocumented people who had been in the U.S. for more than five years and who were parents of U.S. citizen or legal resident children. Obama announced this program in November of 2014 after the Republican-led House of Representatives failed to act on immigration reform. In 2012 he signed DACA, Deferred Action for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. About 85% of undocumented people and those who would benefit from the Deferred Action expansion are Mexican and Central American, and this would have been a step forward in their struggle for equality.

The lawsuit against the Deferred Action expansion was filed by Republican governor of Texas. Judge Hanen is an anti-immigrant federal judge nominated by President George W. Bush. In a previous decision he had blasted the government for not arresting and deporting a undocumented mother who had brought her child to U.S. to reunite her family.

The injunction stopping the DACA expansion and DAPA is at best a stretch, according to many legal experts. The federal government has authority over immigration, not the states, and in the past the federal government has successfully blocked state-level anti-immigrant laws such as Arizona’s SB1070 and California’s Proposition 187.

Judge Hansen claimed that Obama had violated the law calling for public comments on new government regulations. But the Deferred Action program is not a new regulation; there is no requirement that any businesses or individuals have to follow. Further, the legal standing of the states, that is, their ability to sue based on damages that they suffered is questionable as they claimed that the DAPA would increase undocumented immigration, putting burdens on the states for education, health care, etc. But this is speculation about the future, not actual damage.

The weak legal foundation for blocking the Deferred Action shows the political nature of the courts. For all the claims of impartiality and use of legal presidencies, the fact is that the courts are fundamentally political.

The delay of the Deferred Action expansion was welcomed by Republicans of all stripes, including so-called moderates like former Florida governor and presidential candidate Jeb Bush. This shows once again the anti-immigrant nature of Republican Party, despite all their talk of reaching out to “Hispanics.” The blatant nature of racism in the Republican Party, from their opposition to affirmative action, their attacks on public sector unions that disproportionately affect Black and women workers, to their anti-immigrant actions such as Arizona’s SB1070 are showing again with their attack on Deferred Action.

While the Obama administration almost certainly will appeal this decision, they seemed to be in no rush to do so. Indeed the Democrats could gain from a long, drawn-out battle if they succeed in wedding Chicano and Latino voters to the Democratic Party in the upcoming 2016 election.

For immigrant rights activists, the court delay of Deferred Action shows the importance of continuing to fight for drivers licenses, in-state tuition, and other state and local struggles for equality for the undocumented. Here in California, the long awaited implementation of drivers licenses for undocumented people has allowed thousands to get their licenses, removing the fear that every time they drive could lead to deportation.

The court action also shows the need to fight for legalization of all the undocumented. The expansion of Deferred Action, which would benefit millions of immigrants who could get a Social Security number and better jobs, would still subject to the whim of the courts and future presidents who could end the program. The DAPA would still leave about half of the undocumented as targets of the record level of deportations under the Obama administration.

Overturn the Hansen injunction and implement the DACA expansion and DAPA now!

Drivers licenses and state college tuition equity for undocumented immigrants!

Legalization for all!

#SanJoséCA #PeoplesStruggles #immigrantRights #DACADeferredActionForChildhoodArrivals #DAPA

Milwaukee, WI – On Oct. 28, three community members, who support DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) for undocumented immigrants, interrupted President Obama’s speech during a Democratic Party campaign event supporting Mary Burke. Burke is running against Governor Scott Walker in this election.

Protesters chanted “Deporter in Chief! Stop deportations! DACA for all!” Obama had no choice but to acknowledge the protest to the crowd. He attempted to regain control of the situation by saying, “She is expressing her concern about immigration and the fact that we don’t have comprehensive immigration bill, the problem is she should be protesting the republicans who are blocking it in congress.”

Among the protesters were two undocumented activists, one a public school educator, the second a college student. The third, was an outspoken business woman whose brother-in-law is currently in deportation proceedings. By April 2014 Obama’s administration had already deported close to 2 million people during his tenure, more than any other president in history.

Luis Mora, one of the three protesters said, “I feel privileged to have obtained DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). It became a right for me to voice my concern for the folks who didn't qualify for this program. Folks like my parents and the million others who work harder and longer, day in and day out.”

Although the three were not alone in their beliefs, they faced a tough crowd of Obama supporters who went on to threaten and harass them for speaking out.

Leilani Lopez, one of the protesters said, “Today was an opportunity to bring to light an issue that is rarely addressed outside of immigrant communities. We, the people, had the opportunity to hold our president accountable. The raids, deportations, the separated families, have become an epidemic and people don’t even know what’s happening in their own land.”

Undocumented immigrants and families are tired of the false promises year after year. The Democrats held a majority in Congress early in Obama's first term. They had the chance of passing immigration reform and continue to shift the blame towards Republican politicians. Leilani stated, “We made our concerns evident to people who know little to nothing about them but those people and our president will have to open their ears, minds and hearts because we will not be silenced.” We demand that Obama take immediate action to alleviate the pain and suffering of our hard-working families.

In Milwaukee, activists and many more community members continue to fight for executive action on DACA and local issues such as driver’s licenses for all and restoring tuition equity for undocumented students in Wisconsin. When immigrant rights are under attack, we stand up, we fight back!

#MilwaukeeWI #DACADeferredActionForChildhoodArrivals