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San Diego Unified to Trump: Spare Our Undocumented Students

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A resolution reaffirming the values of peace, tolerance and respect for multiple perspectives was adopted unanimously Tuesday night by the San Diego Unified School Board less than a month after Donald Trump was elected president.

The resolution was sparked by fears felt by some district students that Trump’s election would lead to the deportation of some students, their families and friends, who may be in the U.S. illegally, according to district officials.

“We call on President-elect Trump to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and to clearly articulate the rights of all students to attend school without the fear of detention and deportation,” Superintendent Cindy Marten said, reading from the resolution.

Read more here.

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How Trump’s attorney general pick could shape immigration policy

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By Rob Garvey

President-elect Donald Trump ran for election on a platform built in large part on enforcing laws—however harsh—against illegal immigrants and a promise to bar refugees and others from Muslim countries from entering the United States.

Now, experts say, with his decision to nominate Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General, Trump is giving one of the most ardent anti-illegal immigration voices in the US Congress tremendous power to reshape immigration enforcement in the United States.

Sessions, the first member of the Senate to endorse Trump’s candidacy, strenuously opposed bipartisan immigration reform bills that came before the Senate in 2007 and 2013, arguing that they were insufficiently strict and ultimately led to amnesty.

Read the full story here.

The post How Trump’s attorney general pick could shape immigration policy appeared first on San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium.

Sanctuary cities: Model leadership to ensure safety of most vulnerable

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By Pedro Rios

Cities and counties around the country are taking the audacious step of declaring their municipal governments sanctuaries to demonstrate solidarity with immigrants and refugees who reside within their jurisdictions. The bold declarations are necessary and responsible actions that respond to the uncertainty of increased threats by President Donald Trump about targeting immigrants and refugees for mass deportation. But really, sanctuary cities are an extension of the obligation that elected officials have of ensuring the safety and well-being of their constituents.

A call for sanctuary by municipal governments, which follows in the historic tradition of faith communities, is audacious because it builds a moral and prophetic witness against xenophobic policies that would otherwise undermine the safety of the most vulnerable in our communities.

Read the full story here.

The post Sanctuary cities: Model leadership to ensure safety of most vulnerable appeared first on San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium.

San Diego Immigrant and Refugee Leaders Condemn President Trump’s Actions

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San Diego Immigrant and Refugee Leaders Condemn President Trump’s Actions

 

SAN DIEGO — Leaders from across San Diego County strongly condemn President Trump’s executive orders to shut out immigrants and refugees with policies and walls that divide us rather than bring us together.

As a result of the president’s actions, refugees, who are mostly women and children fleeing war and violence and who have already been vetted, now stand in harm’s way. Immigrants and visa applicants from entire countries are now blocked based on nothing more than the geography of their birth, harkening back to discriminatory immigration policies of the past. In addition, southern border communities that lack resources and infrastructure are now facing the prospects of an expanded border wall that does nothing to revitalize their communities.

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, a coalition of over 40 organizations fighting for immigrant and refugee rights, is outraged that the Trump Administration would take steps to undermine our country’s most fundamental values of compassion and inclusion.

See below for statements from immigrant and refugee leaders across San Diego County:

Ginger Jacobs, Chair, San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

“As a border region which is home to the largest refugee population in California,

San Diego has long thrived as a region due to the diverse cultures and people who call our county home. Refugees and immigrants are valued members of our community, and we condemn the president’s actions today.”

Hanif Mohebi, Executive Director, CAIR San Diego

“Such executive orders and laws will not improve our nation’s safety and security, rather it will reinforce fear, hate, and division within our country.  Immigrants and refugees have become legislators, doctors, engineers, and businesspeople who positively contribute to what America is — targeting them is misguided and against our country’s core values.”

Pedro Rios, Director, AFSC’s US-Mexico Border Program

“The president’s executive actions represent failed approaches that have been attempted in the past and only serve to alienate and demonize members of our communities. A president’s duty is to unify our country, not divide it. His actions will cause irreparable harm to many individuals and families seeking shelter, as well as all residents who reside here on the border.”

Pastor Bill Jenkins, Director, Christ Ministry Center

“As a person of faith, I have a moral obligation to welcome and protect immigrants and refugees, and help those in need.  The president’s lack of moral grounding and basic respect for the dignity of all humankind with today’s executive orders is troubling for all residents, particularly for those of us who live in the border region.  We call upon our leaders to reject such discriminatory actions and to welcome those who come to this country.”
 

About San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium
The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Beginning in 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the Immigrant Rights Consortium. Through the Consortium, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: Support comprehensive immigration reform; top the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants about their rights and the legal and other resources available to them and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants and counter the myths and misstatements made about immigrants. For more information about the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, please visit www.immigrantsandiego.org.

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TAKE ACTION: Support SB54, “California Values Act”

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Californians, we have to do everything in our power to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the communities most threatened by this administration’s racist, xenophobic agenda. The California State Senate introduced SB 54, the California Values Act which would provide protection for undocumented immigrants and ban the use of state and local resources for mass deportations.

TAKE ACTION: Tell California state lawmakers and Governor Brown to expedite the California Values Act now.

Take action and sign the petition to support immigrant families who are most vulnerable at this hour. It’s up to us Californians to hold our elected officials accountable and ensure they are doing everything in their power to protect our immigrant neighbors, friends and family from Trump’s agenda of racism and xenophobia.

The post TAKE ACTION: Support SB54, “California Values Act” appeared first on San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium.

Union-Tribune: Denouncing the wall

Record-Size Delegation Travels to Sacramento for Immigrant Day

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Dozens of community members and advocates from San Diego will meet with the county’s state elected officials

SAN DIEGO, CA –The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC) is proud to send a record-size delegation to our state’s capital on Monday, May 15, for the 21st Annual Immigrant Day, a day of action that brings together advocates from across the state to fight for immigrant rights.

Close to 40 leaders from across San Diego County will join hundreds of other community members and activists. They will meet with elected representatives from every quarter of the county to advocate for policies that protect immigrant communities from a Federal administration that seeks to criminalize, deport and separate families.

Laura Moreno, Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium released the following statement:
“At a time when the federal government and many states are stripping away basic rights for immigrants, each year California continues to work to expand protections for noncitizens. We look forward to meeting with state-elected officials to take proactive measures against harsh immigration and enforcement policies. We believe that all people, regardless of status, are created equal, and that’s what we are fighting for.”
Media Opportunities
 
The following members of SDIRC will be available for media interviews today, Friday, May 12:
  • Laura Moreno, Chair of SDIRC
  • Imam Taha Hassane, Director of the Islamic Center of San Diego
  • Elizabeth Lopez, Immigration attorney
  • Jesus Carvajal, DACA recipient
To arrange an interview, contact ChaKiara Tucker at chakiara@alliancesd.org or 404.630.9677.
About San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium
The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants; and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at: www.immigrantsandiego.org.
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Immigrant Day: Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future

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By Erin Tsurumoto Grassi

As the granddaughter of Japanese Americans who were imprisoned during World War II, the importance of Immigrant Day could not be clearer. After all, this is a chance for advocates like myself and others across the state to join efforts and advocate for immigrant rights in Sacramento.

The 21st Annual Immigrant Day will take place on Monday, May 15, and the  San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is proud to be sending a record-size delegation to our state’s capital. Close to 40 leaders from across San Diego County will join hundreds of other community members and activists who will meet with elected representatives from every quarter of the county.

It is these very advocacy efforts, alongside continuous community organizing over the last two decades, which have led to California emerging as a nationwide leader in advancing immigrant rights.

Today, California is seen as the first line of defense against a federal administration that seeks to criminalize and deport individuals at all costs.  The policies that we will be advocating for in Sacramento are designed to protect individuals from a harsh federal administration that is actively pursuing partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies, and expanding immigrant detention.

We will be supporting the following priorities:

  • SB 54, the California Values Act, which would prohibit local and state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials and establishes safe spaces for immigrants.  
  • SB 29, the Dignity Not Detention Act, which would improve conditions in immigrant detention facilities and prohibit local governments from contracting with private companies to detain immigrants for profit in California.  
  • The Immigrant Budget Package, which would provide $14 million in state funding for legal counsel for noncitizen Californians, $30 million for deportation defense and $30 million in One California funding for free immigration services, including know your rights information, and help applying for DACA and citizenship.

At a time when the federal government and many states are stripping away basic rights for immigrants, each year California continues to expand protections for noncitizens.  However, it is only in recent history that California has emerged as a leader in immigrant rights.

Anti-immigrant sentiment has been present in California since the beginning of our state’s history. Upset by overcrowded mines during the California Gold Rush era, state legislators passed the Foreign Miners’ License law, which imposed a monthly tax on all foreign miners.  

When my Japanese American great-grandparents arrived to California at the turn of the 20th Century, they entered a state where discrimination and fear of immigrants ran rampant, and xenophobic rhetoric claiming American jobs and land were being taken away by newcomers was normal.

Credit: Dorothea Lange / Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority.

The California Legislature sought to remedy the situation through legislation such as the 1913 and 1920 Alien Land Law Acts, which prohibited non-US citizens from owning land and entering into long and short-term leases. Eventually, this same fear would lead to the imprisonment of thousands of Japanese and Japanese Americans during World War II.

Fueled by discrimination against growing Latino and Asian immigrant populations, in 1994 voters approved Proposition 187, which would have denied social services to undocumented immigrants.  Fortunately, Prop 187 was stopped in the courts, but not before igniting a whole new generation of leaders and activists who organized citizenship drives and registered new voters, changing the voting demographics and the leadership of California. As people continued organizing, they were able to shift the political climate and move California to where it is today.

California has come a long way, but the work is far from over.  

We are no longer a state that prohibits immigrants from holding land, and a proposition such as 187 would never pass today. However, we face new threats from the federal level, and are hearing rhetoric that very closely mirrors the rhetoric that led to my grandparents being imprisoned.

Today, more than ever we need to organize and come together to fight for policies that protect all Californians.  As I prepare for Immigrant Day, these thoughts weigh heavily in my mind.

May we continue to build upon the progress of the last 20 years, and eventually push the rest of the country to do the same.

Erin Tsurumoto Grassi is the Human Rights Policy Advisor for Alliance San  Diego and helps coordinate the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium. You can reach her at Erin@alliancesd.org

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SDIRC Interviews Said Abiyow at the 21th Annual Immigrant Day in Sacramento

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El pueblo unido, Jamas será vencido! Ang tao ang bayan, ngayon ay lumalaban! The people united, will never be defeated!

May 15th, 2017 was the 21st Annual Immigrant Day. The SDIRC delegation of 33 San Diego leaders successfully met with all 11 assembly members and senators who represent a piece or region of San Diego County.

The day was kicked off with a rally and program of speakers to ground all participating organizations and individuals for the day ahead. There was a variety of speakers from all over the state who stood in front of the hundreds to speak their truth. The speakers ranged from faith leaders, community leaders and organizational representatives who shared stories, either their own or of the communities they work with. They spoke about the importance of building and maintaining a united front on the issues that affect all of us, especially considering the targeted threats under the Trump administration.

During our time at the state’s capitol, we had the opportunity to get to know, learn from and interview Said Abiyow, current President and CEO of the Somali Bantu Association of America, now a member organization of SDIRC. Below are his responses and impressions as a first time participant in Immigrant Day.

Q: Can you tell us about who you are, what organization you work for and the work that your organization does?

A: My name is Said Abiyow and I am the President and CEO of the Somali Bantu Association of America, located in the heart of City Heights in San Diego. We have existed for over seven years and through our organization we help refugees from many nationalities. In particular we help and support Somali immigrants with information about employment, youth programs, English as a Second Language classes and Citizenship/Naturalization classes.

 

Q: Why did you did decide to join this year’s San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC) Immigrant Day 2017 delegation?

A: The reason why I joined is because I am one of the primary leaders from our community and our communities have been experiencing a lot of challenges since the Executive Order travel ban was issued. There’s also a lot of immigration asylum issues that happen in our community. Because of these needs in our community I want to get more experience to learn about the immigration laws that are being pushed at the state level and how they can affect us in the City of San Diego. One priority budget item that I’m really looking forward to if it passes is the budget package, in particular the Due Process and Legal Defense Fund  piece of it because it would really benefit many from our community.

 

Q: What did you learn from participating at this year’s Immigrant Day?

A: I have learned a lot today because the Assembly Members (Todd Gloria: 78th District, Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher: 80th District) and Senator (Ben Hueso: 40th District) that our group met with today were very supportive. They want to support this year’s priorities and not to ignore us but instead, to make sure our communities are not left behind. They are standing with us and we will definitely continue working with them to make sure these bills and budget priorities successfully pass.

 

Q: What impact do you hope Immigrant Day 2017 will have?

A: I hope that Immigrant Day will be a day of success. What I’m hoping is that it will be a very good day with much impact and success based on this year’s program and through the legislative visits we made today.

 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add that I didn’t ask or that relates to what we’ve been talking about?

A: I was very happy and excited at the idea of being part of this delegation. We definitely want our organizational and community voices to be present here, to be heard and I want to make sure that there are more opportunities for others to come to Sacramento, to support Immigrant Day and have the opportunity to meet with elected representatives and I will gladly come again anytime there is an Immigrant Day.

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San Diegans Oppose Cruel and Heartless Decision to End DACA

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San Diegans Oppose Cruel and Heartless Decision to End DACA

 
Up to 40,000 San Diegans who were brought to the United States as children could end up  deported to places they barely know


SAN DIEGO, CA — In a cruel and heartless decision, the Trump administration has decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program while giving Congress a six-month delay to come up with a legislative solution.
This decision will negatively impact nearly 800,000 young people, including as many as 40,000 in San Diego, who under this program have been able to work, study, and contribute to America.

In response, the San Diego Immigrants Rights Consortium will hold a press conference this morning at 11 a.m. with dreamers, faith leaders and elected officials. In addition, San Diegans will hold a rally this evening at 6 p.m. to express opposition to the decision. Both events will take place at the San Diego County Administration Center.
 
NOTE: The press conference in the morning is in addition to a rally scheduled for 6 PM Tuesday at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego.

 

Press Conference 
When: Today, Tuesday, September 5 at 11 a.m.
Where: County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego
Who: Dreamers, faith leaders and elected officials react to news DACA

 

Evening Rally in Support of DACA
When: Today, Tuesday, September 5 at 6 p.m.
Where: County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego
Who: San Diegans rally to express opposition to news about the future of program
 
Laura Moreno, Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, said the following:
“This is a cruel and heartless decision that would uproot the lives of 800,000 or so young people, including as many as 40,000 in San Diego, who are working, studying, and contributing to the community. These are people who have lived in the United States since they were children. This is the time to stand with them, not to use them as bargaining chips in a political tug-of-war. That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted immigration attorneys in the community to offer FREE legal consultations to all undocumented immigrants. We are asking people to go to our website, ReadyNowSanDiego.org, to find out about upcoming events and make an appointment for a free legal consultation to help determine their eligibility for other programs.”


Jesus Mendez Carbajal, a DACA recipient and Human Rights Organizer at Alliance San Diego, said the following:
“This heartbreaking announcement fills me with intense emotions, not only for myself but for all other DACA recipients, our families and our communities. I ask my fellow DACA recipients to please ride this tumultuous wave of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty with love and hope in our hearts. We will get through what is ahead of us and our communities now that DACA is ending. During these times of desperation, we must hold true to our values and our worth and not be swayed by ‘bargains’ that offer us a pathway to citizenship at the expense of our families, communities, more border agents and border region militarization.”


Ginger Jacobs, immigration attorney at Jacobs & Schlesinger LLP,  stated the following:
“Although the information released today may sound final, it is not, and we may see changes in the coming days and weeks either because of lawsuits or additional changes in policy. We are encouraging Dreamers not to make any drastic life changes based on the announcement, and to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. Ready Now San Diego is offering FREE consultations with experienced, local immigration attorneys. So keep going to work or school. You are an important part of our community, and lots of people will be fighting alongside you to keep you here.”


Madison Shockley, Pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ and member of the North County Immigration Task Force released the following statement:
“The idea that this administration would send these young people back to a country that is unfamiliar to them indicates a cruelty and lack of compassion that is inconsistent with the values this country was founded on. The same Bible that President Trump held when taking an oath to lead this country says, ‘
You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ The decision to send thousands of young people back into the shadows runs counter to the moral obligation that we have to treat others with dignity and love. During this time of turmoil, I will continue to hold the Word of God near and will continue to pray with and for those who will be negatively impacted by this unjust decision.”
 
Background
Since 2012, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has helped about 800K young immigrants, including as many as 40,000 in San Diego, go to college, get work permits, and get relief from deportation. These are students, young professionals and even parents, who contribute to the economic growth of both the border and this nation. Now, Trump wants to end the program, while further militarizing border communities by using “Dreamers” as a bargaining chip for upcoming budget negotiations that include a wall, more agents and more detention centers.
 
About San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium
The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants; and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at: www.immigrantsandiego.org.
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San Diego Elected Officials Sign Letter Urging Passage of a Clean Dream Act

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In a display of bipartisan support, two dozen local and state elected officials signed onto a letter that urges Congress to protect Border Dreamers without further militarizing our communities.  

That letter is posted below.


Dear Members of Congress:

As local and state elected officials in the San Diego border region, we write to express the urgent need for Congress to pass a clean, bipartisan DREAM Act without using their parents and loved ones as bargaining chips for wasteful and unnecessary border militarization.

The President’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program on September 5th has grave consequences for our region.  Nearly half of all Dreamers live in states along the US Southern Border (CA, AZ, NM, TX), and there are 38,000 Dreamers in San Diego County alone.  These individuals are a vital part of the diverse, vibrant community we have here in San Diego County — they are our neighbors, classmates, coworkers, members of our faith communities, business owners, and more.  

DACA recipients and their families contribute significantly to the cultural and economic well-being of our region.  In, the five congressional districts that are in San Diego County, DACA recipients currently contribute $877,400,000 in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  Terminating DACA means that those individuals will either no longer be in the workforce, or they won’t be able to contribute economically at the same level as they did when they had a work permit.

The DACA program gave young people a chance to more fully participate in our society, provide more for their families economically, and protected families from being separated by cruel deportations.  

Our proximity to the border means that we live in a highly militarized area with large presence of immigration officials, where individuals are already at a greater risk of coming into contact with abusive, corrupt and unaccountable agents.  Now, with the termination of DACA, these young people are at a severe risk of deportation and family separation.  

Passing the DREAM Act will certainly help eliminate this risk, but it cannot be done in exchange for increasing border militarization. That would mean exposing the parents and family members of DACA recipients to the Administration’s already massive deportation machine in the region. This is why we need to pass a clean, bipartisan DREAM Act — adding on any provision that would harm the family members of DACA recipients goes against our values of treating all our residents with dignity and respect.

There is no doubt in our minds that our region will suffer tremendously from the unfair termination of the DACA program.  We urge you to pass a clean, bipartisan DREAM Act now.  

Sincerely,

Patricia Aguilar, Councilmember, City of Chula Vista

David Alvarez, Councilmember, City of San Diego

David Arambula,Councilmember, City of Lemon Grove

Richard Barrera, Board President, San Diego Unified School District

Catherine Blakespear, Mayor, City of Encinitas

Barbara Bry, Councilmember, City of San Diego

Myrtle Cole, Council President, City of San Diego

Todd Gloria, Assemblymember, California Assembly District 78

Georgette Gómez, Councilmember, City of San Diego

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Assemblymember, California Assembly District 80

Stephen Houlahan, Councilmember, City of Santee

Tasha Boerner Horvath, Councilmember, City of Encinitas 

Ben Hueso, Senator, California Senate District 40

Tony Kranz, Deputy Mayor, City of Encinitas

Albert Mendivil, Vice Mayor, City of National City

Jennifer Mendoza, Councilmember, City of Lemon Grove

Steve Padilla, Councilmember, City of National City

Colin Parent, Councilmember, City of La Mesa

Mona Rios, Councilmember, City of National City

Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor, City of Chula Vista

Nicholas Segura, Board Member, Sweetwater Union High School District

Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, Councilmember, City of National City

Cipriano Vargas, Trustee, Vista Unified School District

Chris Ward, Councilmember, City of San Diego

Mark West, Councilmember, City of Imperial Beach

Dwight Worden, Deputy Mayor, City of Del Mar

David Zito, Councilmember, City of Solana Beach

 


1 Migration Policy Institute. (2016). [Interactive Map on DACA-Eligible Populations by State and County, 2016]. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Data Tools. Retrieved from: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca-profiles

2  USC Dornsife Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration. (2017). Interactive Map: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Populations and their Economic Contributions by U.S. Congressional District.  Retrieved from: http://dornsife.usc.edu/csii/daca-map/

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San Diego Elected Officials: “We need a Clean Dream Act Now!”

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San Diego Elected Officials: “We need a Clean Dream Act Now!”

Bipartisan group sends letter to Congress on National Day of Action in Support of the Dream Act

San DiegoIn a display of bipartisan support, two dozen local and state elected officials signed onto a letter asking Congress to protect Dreamers without further militarizing border communities.

The letter is being sent to Members of Congress today and coincides with a National Day of Action in support of a clean Dream Act. Immigrant youth, advocates and people of faith are issuing statements and demonstrating across the country in a unified display of support for Dreamers and their families.  

Laura Moreno, Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium released the following statement:

“The DACA program did so much to improve the quality of life for Dreamers and their families. It helped lift thousands of families out of poverty by improving access to good quality jobs and education, and provided them with a level of safety and security.  Returning to the situation we were in before the DACA program was announced hurts California families and communities, and is particularly dangerous for individuals who live in the border region, who are already at a heightened risk of abuse and deportation at the hands of corrupt border agents. I ask Congress to pass a clean Dream Act now without border militarization.”  

Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, CA Assembly District 80, released the following statement:

“We cannot allow Congress to trade the safety of young immigrants for the safety of their parents and community members. Instead, we should promote policies that keep families together, not tear them apart, and uplift the quality of life of all border residents. Our region will be better off for it. That’s why we are calling on Congress to pass a clean Dream Act now without further militarizing our communities.”

Assemblymember Todd Gloria, CA Assembly District 78, released the following statement:

“Not only are Dreamers and their families valued members of our communities, they contribute greatly to our regional and binational economies. Instead of demonizing DACA recipients, the federal administration and the majority in Congress should do its job and pass a clean, bipartisan Dream Act now.”

Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas released the following statement:

“Border Dreamers and their families are an important part of the fabric of our region. They are a part of our economic, social and civic society. We are committed to doing everything in our power to protect the safety and wellbeing of Border Dreamers and their families. We will continue to urge Congress to pass a clean Dream Act now.”

Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear released the following statement:

“Encinitas is proud to be a welcoming city that recognizes the value that multiculturalism brings to our community. We must promote policies of inclusion, not exclusion, and that’s why we need to pass a Dream Act that will honor and respect the contributions of Dreamers in our country, no matter where their ancestors were born. Encinitas and our region are better off when families stay together; and we’re diminished when we set up systems that needlessly rip families apart and separate them from their communities.

San Diego City Council Member Georgette Gomez released the following statement:

“I call on Congress to pass a clean Dream Act now without further militarizing our communities. San Diegans don’t want to spend one more cent on building the unnecessary wall or continued militarization of the region. We must support families, not walls.”

Santee City Council Member Stephen Houlahan released the following statement:

“If a child has lived in this country his or her entire life, there is nowhere he or she can go back to. This is their country. That’s why Congress must act.”

About San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

Since 2007, community, faith, labor and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC).  Through SDIRC, over 45 organizations across San Diego County work together to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees, inform immigrants on their rights, and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants.  More at: www.immigrantsandiego.org.

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San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium Elects New Leadership

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Human rights organizer ushered in as chair during election year

San Diego – The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium(SDIRC) has elected human rights organizer Lilian Serrano to be the new chair of the board during its annual election. Lilian and the 9-member advisory board, which was also elected, will be tasked with leading the coalition for the next year.

This vote comes as immigrants in San Diego and across the nation are faced with hyperbolic rhetoric and increasingly divisive policies that affect their way of life.

For more than a decade, SDIRC has worked with lawmakers and community members to not only bridge the gap between them but to also advocate for legislation that protects immigrant and refugee communities.

<< SEE BELOW HOW SDIRC CAN HELP REPORTERS COVER LOCAL IMMIGRATION ISSUES>>

Lilian is a member of Alianza Comunitaria, a coalition of human rights grassroots organizations in North County, San Diego. The coalition has worked with community members to create an alert system to inform residents about the presence of driver’s license checkpoints and immigration raids.

Lilian Serrano, Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium released the following statement:

“I’m ecstatic that the consortium elected me to lead them for the next year. As we face this election year, I look forward to standing hand-in-hand with my brothers and sisters to continue our work uplifting the voices of immigrants and their families in San Diego County. Together, we will resist the attacks on our communities and continue to fight to protect our rights.”

2018 Advisory Board Members

Chair — Lilian Serrano, Alianza Comunitaria

Faith Representative — Angela Fujii, First UU of San Diego

Legal Representative — Lauren Cusitello, Crossroads Justice Center of San Diego

Labor Representative — Mathew Kostrinsky & Kim Moore, UDW

Community Representative — Esmeralda Flores, ACLU

Community Representative — Mejgan Afshan, CAIR San Diego

Community Representative — Felicia Gomez, CIPC

Former Chair (ex-officio) — Laura Moreno, UNITE HERE Local 30

SBCC Representative (ex-officio) — Adriana Jasso & Pedro Rios, AFSC

How Can SDIRC Help Reporters?

SDIRC can provide subject matter experts for your stories on the below

  • Refugee issues
  • Labor issues within the immigrant community
  • Immigration Integration

About San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants, and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at www.immigrantsandiego.org.

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On March 5th ‘Deadline,’ Dreamers in San Diego Continue to Live in Limbo

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Local organizations are helping current DACA recipients renew their status

San Diego, CA – Today is President Trump’s artificial deadline to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has left about 40,000 Border Dreamers in San Diego County — and more than 800,000 young immigrants nationwide — living in fear and uncertainty.

Since Trump announced the end of the program in September of 2017, thousands have lost their status and many more are unable to apply as they come of age, when they should be planning for their future. While a temporary injunction allows those in the program to renew, the court order can be overturned, leaving them in a permanent state of limbo.

Meanwhile, Trump has rejected several bipartisan solutions in Congress that would have protected these young immigrants who were raised here, and instead has chosen to hold them hostage for a harmful border wall and more border agents.

In response, members of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium are mobilizing to support local Border Dreamers. Organizations such as the Jewish Family Service of San Diego and Catholic Charities, are holding workshops to help DACA recipients renew their status.

<<see workshop information below>>

Lilian Serrano, Chair of the San Diego Immigrants Rights Consortium and Community Representative at Alianza Comunitaria released the following statement:

“Young immigrants need urgent, permanent solutions to the crisis created by President Trump without further militarizing border communities like San Diego. The uncertainty of a temporary court injunction will lead some not to renew out of fear about what will happen to them if those injunctions are lifted. Permanent solutions will allow Dreamers to invest in themselves, and their employers in them, with confidence about the future.

Congress now has an opportunity to show us — their constituents — that they are listening to us. On March 23, Members of Congress have the option to include a permanent solution for Dreamers as part of the must-pass spending bill for FY 2018. The spending bill proposed by Trump does not include protections for Dreamers, and instead includes an astounding $21.5 billion to fund a harmful border wall, hire more border agents, and build more jail beds and prisons to lock up and deport Dreamers and their families.

Our communities are some of the safest in this country and do not need increased militarization. SDIRC will continue to organize and inform young immigrants, members of the community and Members of Congress about the significant impact Border Dreamers have in border communities and in this country.”

Itzel Guillen, Border Dreamer and Immigration Integration Manager at Alliance San Diego, released the following statement:

“A temporary injunction is a Band-aid for a wound that requires well-thought-out care and solutions. For months, we (Border Dreamers) have been living in fear and uncertainty while this administration has dangled our freedom, our safety, and our protections. We are not bargaining chips, we are not pawns and our lives should not be toyed with. It is unfathomable that this administration thinks that we will sit idly while they further militarize our communities. We need common sense policies that revitalize our communities. Permanent solutions are necessary so that we can invest in ourselves and our communities.”

DACA renewal workshops

Jewish Family Service of San Diego

What: Renewal workshops for DACA recipients

When: Ongoing, email rebeccao@jfssd.org to request an appointment

Where: 8788 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123

Catholic Charities

What: Renewal workshops for DACA recipients

When: Ongoing, call (619) 287-1260 or send an email to immhelp@ccdsd.orgo to request an appointment

About San Diego Immigration Rights Consortium  

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants, and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at www.immigrantsandiego.org.

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County Should Listen To Sheriff Gore on Joining Trump Lawsuit: ‘Stay out of it’

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For Immediate Release

March 29, 2018

Media Contact:
Hiram Soto
858.349.7940
hiram@alliancesd.org

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is considering joining a Trump administration lawsuit against the state of California over policies that strengthen public safety for all while protecting families from the president’s deportation force.

The County Board of Supervisors plans to meet behind closed doors to discuss whether to join a federal lawsuit targeting Senate Bill 54, known as the California Values Act, as well as other state laws that shield families from Trump’s policies of hate. The City of Escondido is considering a similar move.

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said firmly that the County should “stay out of it”. He said his deputies should not act as immigration officers because it will deter immigrants from reporting crimes, making everybody less safe.

Lilian Serrano, Chair of the San Diego Immigrants Rights Consortium (SDIRC) and Community Representative at Alianza Comunitaria, released the following statement:

“County leaders and other local municipalities considering similar moves should listen to Sheriff Gore and their communities and stay out of this misguided lawsuit that threatens to rip families apart and erode the trust between our communities and local law enforcement.

San Diego is a welcoming place because we understand that immigrants are valuable and productive members of our community. For the County Board of Supervisors to even consider signing on to the policies of hate of this administration in a place as diverse as San Diego is completely unacceptable and out of sync with the sentiment in our vibrant region.

At the end of the day, if ICE or Border Patrol agents want to arrest and deport immigrants, they need to get a warrant, just like all other law enforcement agencies. That’s what the Fourth Amendment says. They should not be coercing local law enforcement to act on their behalf at the expense of everybody’s safety.”

About The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC) is a coalition of over 50 organizations across San Diego County that work to advance the rights of immigrants and refugees. It is a project of Alliance San Diego. More at: www.immigrantsandiego.org.

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San Diegans To County Supervisors: Stay Out of Trump Lawsuit

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Community kicks off week of action to protect Californians from Trump’s deportation force

San Diego, CA – The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC) will kick off a week of action to urge the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to stay out of the Trump administration’s lawsuit against California. County officials will meet on April 17 to decide whether to join the lawsuit over Senate Bill 54, known as the “California Values Act,” which strengthens public safety and protects families from Trump’s deportation force.

SDIRC and its members will launch a week of action featuring meetings with supervisors, an online petition, phone banking, and a social media campaign to urge supervisors to side with Californians, not Trump.

Lilian Serrano, Chair of the San Diego Immigrants Rights Consortium (SDIRC) and Community Representative at Alianza Comunitaria released the following statement:

“This lawsuit against California is an affront to our state’s efforts to strengthen public safety for all while protecting families from the president’s abusive and overreaching deportation force. We are mobilizing communities across the region to urge County supervisors to side with California, not Trump, and reject joining this misguided lawsuit.

Cities like Chula Vista and National City have passed resolutions in support of Senate Bill 54 because they know that we are less safe when immigrants are afraid to call the police and report crimes. Local police officers should not be acting as border agents.

This is an opportunity for County supervisors to send a message to California and the nation that San Diego is a welcoming place because we understand that immigrants are valuable and productive members of our community.”

About the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants, and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at: www.immigrantsandiego.org.

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San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts Urges County to ‘Stay Out of the Issue’

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The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium met with the office of San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts to discuss the upcoming decision from the county on if they will join the Trump administration’s lawsuit against Senate Bill 54, known as the “California Values Act.” Supervisor Roberts has urged the county supervisors to stay out of the issue citing, “…we are asked to weigh in on issues…where we have no direct control and responsibility to act.” See below for a photocopy of his letter.

Supervisor Ron Roberts Urges County Administration to stay out of joining the Trump lawsuit against California.

Supervisor Ron Roberts Urges County Administration to stay out of joining the Trump lawsuit against California.

The post San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts Urges County to ‘Stay Out of the Issue’ appeared first on San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium.

Statement on Board of Supervisors’ Decision to Support Trump’s Lawsuit

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San Diego –  The San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ voted today to support the Trump administration’s misguided lawsuit against California policies that strengthen public safety while protecting families from the president’s deportation force.

While the deadline to join the lawsuit against Senate Bill 54 has already passed, the County’s decision to support it sends the wrong message to our diverse, vibrant and welcoming region, state and the nation.

The votes follows a week of action by the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium and its partners that included meetings with supervisors, an online petition with more than 800 signatures, phone banking, and a social media campaign to urge the County to side with Californians, not Trump.

Lilian Serrano, Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, issued the following statement:

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ decision to support this cruel and misguided lawsuit is a political stunt at the expense of families and our public safety. It is also an attack on California’s commitment to value and protect all of its residents, no matter where they come from, and treating them with dignity and compassion.

 

Everybody is less safe when immigrants are afraid to call the police and report crimes, which is why local police officers should not act as border agents. That’s why cities like Chula Vista and National City have proudly supported Senate Bill 54 by passing resolutions in support of protecting our communities. Instead, the County has opted to sign on to the Trump administration’s policies of hate.

 

 

At the end of the day, if ICE or Border Patrol agents want to arrest and deport immigrants, they need to get a warrant, just like all other law enforcement agencies. That’s what the Fourth Amendment says. They should not be coercing local law enforcement to act on their behalf.”

 

About the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants, and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at: www.immigrantsandiego.org.

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San Diego Stands for California Values, Votes to Fight Against Trump’s Lawsuit

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SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego City Council voted to join an amicus brief filed by Santa Clara County against the Trump administration’s lawsuit targeting California laws that strengthen public safety while protecting families from the president’s deportation force.

Members of the San Diego City Council voted today 5-2 to join the amicus brief that supports California laws including the California Values Act (SB 54), AB 450, and AB 103 that create additional protections to shield California’s immigrants from detention and deportation. The decision comes at a time when communities are being separated by harmful federal policies and divisive politics at the local and national level.

SB 54, the California Values Act, which took effect January 1, 2018, limits the way that local police work with federal immigration agencies and creates safe spaces to limit immigration enforcement from occurring at public spaces in the community.

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium has been urging San Diego elected officials to stand with our immigrant communities. Last year, Chula Vista and National City passed separate resolutions to support SB 54 to help keep families together and safe, and now the City Council has decided to support SB 54 by joining the county of Santa Clara’s amicus brief.

Lilian Serrano from Alianza Comunitaria and Chair of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium, issued the following statement:

“San Diego’s decision to stand for California values and join the fight against Trump’s harmful lawsuit sends a powerful message that San Diego is committed to valuing and protecting all of its residents, no matter where they come from, and treating them with dignity and compassion.

Trump’s lawsuit against California is cruel and misguided, and should not go unchallenged.  That’s why we applaud the San Diego City Council’s decision to join other local municipalities who have officially supported SB 54 in the past, including Chula Vista and National City.

Our communities are overwhelmingly saying no to Trump’s lawsuit, and other local governments need to reflect the sentiment of the people instead of using it for political gain while playing into the president’s hateful agenda.”

About the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium

The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium is a project of Alliance San Diego. Since 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC). Through SDIRC, these organizations are pursuing four common goals: support comprehensive immigration reform; stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants; educate immigrants, and educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants. More at:  www.immigrantsandiego.org.

The post San Diego Stands for California Values, Votes to Fight Against Trump’s Lawsuit appeared first on San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium.

TAKE ACTION: Support SB54, “California Values Act”

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Californians, we have to do everything in our power to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the communities most threatened by this administration’s racist, xenophobic agenda. The California State Senate introduced SB 54, the California Values Act which would provide protection for undocumented immigrants and ban the use of state and local resources for mass deportations.

TAKE ACTION: Tell California state lawmakers and Governor Brown to expedite the California Values Act now.

Take action and sign the petition to support immigrant families who are most vulnerable at this hour. It’s up to us Californians to hold our elected officials accountable and ensure they are doing everything in their power to protect our immigrant neighbors, friends and family from Trump’s agenda of racism and xenophobia.

The post TAKE ACTION: Support SB54, “California Values Act” appeared first on San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium.

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