Monthly Archives: July 2010

Correction: Senator Reid Punts DREAM to CIR Advocates

Posted on July 21, 2010 | 7 Comments

Perhaps it is a positive development, or perhaps it is a development that will have DREAM Act advocates and CIR-only advocate going for each others’ throats, but a Roll Call article today tells us that Majority Leader Harry Reid has made it clear than when CIR advocates advise him that comprehensive immigration reform is dead for the year, that he would push the DREAM Act as a stand-alone initiative.

In an interview with La Opinion, the Nevada Democrat said he is largely leaving it up to reform advocates to tell him when a comprehensive bill is no longer viable and that the Senate should instead move to the narrower DREAM Act.

After backers of a comprehensive bill say “that they feel we cannot get [comprehensive immigration reform] done this year – and the reason why we cannot do it, it’s because we don’t have a single Republican -then I would like to figure out when can we do the DREAM Act. I would like to do it before the elections,” Reid told La Opinion.

So, the ball is punted to the CIR advocates even though the ones carrying the weight right now are the DREAM Act activists.  Several organizations, including League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) have already shown their support for the DREAM Act.  According to reports on the ground, CIR advocacy group Reform Immigration For America, stated their support for the DREAM Act in DC this week.

Given that Senator Reid has made this statement, that we are still within a window of opportunity to perhaps pass DREAM as part of the Defense Authorization act, and that the Latino electorate is waiting for some sort of action as the elections near that would energize them, the national groups should make this happen.

It is obvious that the DREAM Act actions of this week have been effective. It is time to make it happen.

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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, National Democrats, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege

The DREAM is Coming to Houston

Posted on July 21, 2010 | Comments Off

(Thanks to Victor for the information.)

The DREAM is Coming to Houston Vigil
Tonight, Wednesday, July 21st
8pm – 10pm
Mickey Leeland Federal Building
1919 Smith St in Downtown
(Vigil at Louisiana St & St. Joseph Pkwy)
Organizer – FIEL
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120238631355043
Text DREAM to 832-497-5035 to receive text info.

Why? It’s a vigil in solidarity of the 22 undocumented students (including 1 from Texas) that were arrested in DC on Tuesday.  4 have not been released.
Learn more about their stories here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/flaviaisabel/20-good-reasons-to-risk-deportation-for-the-dream-1nzi

What is the DREAM Act? It would allow undocumented students to go to college, use their college degree & fulfill the American Dream!  More info here: http://www.txdreamactalliance.com/dream-act-background/

Want to do more/Can’t make the Vigil?

  • Sign the Petition to your Elected Officials: http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/cms/sign/dream/
  • Call Sen. Schumer (NY) – 202-224-6542
    Sen. Reid (NV) – 202-224-3542
    Sen. Hutchison (TX)- 202-224-5922

    • Sample Script: Hi, my name is ___. I’m from the state of _____ , and I’m calling to ask Senator _____ to do whatever it takes to pass the DREAM Act this year. Thanks!
  • Call your House Representative: 202-224-3121.  (Two Houston representatives will be visiting the Texas Congressional delegation–call today!)

For more information about the DREAM Act Activities in DC visit http://www.thedreamiscoming.com/.
Recent articles regarding the arrests: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/20/AR2010072006121.htmland http://www.latinalista.net/palabrafinal/2010/07/dream_act_students_protests_forcing_a_re.html

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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration

Overreaction Tuesday on Obama’s Watch

Posted on July 21, 2010 | Comments Off

Yes, even as the Obama Administration’s USDA (especially Tom Vilsack) overreacted by firing Ms. Sherrod for 38 seconds of video put up by a right-wing website, there was another overreaction during the day.

Did you know that 21 DREAMers were arrested for protesting at Hart Senate Office Building yesterday?

These are students without documentation who were willing to go as far as possible to send a message to Washington, DC. So, an arrest would be a huge risk, whether they are detained by ICE after the arrest, or whether the arrest affects any future possibility of a change in their residency status. But the message was obviously received.

The Hill covered the arrests and reaction on Capitol Hill.

Earlier in the day, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), author of the DREAM Act, addressed the larger group, which was staging a mock graduation ceremony.

Reached for comment following the arrests, a Durbin spokesman said, “Today’s demonstrations by some DREAM Act supporters … crossed the line from passionate advocacy to inappropriate behavior. The tide of public opinion has long been on the side of the DREAM Act — it has broad bipartisan support in Congress and poll after poll shows that people of all political persuasion believe in its goals. Sen. Durbin believes that we will win this fight on the merits, not through public demonstrations or publicity stunts.”

I agree with LatinaLista.

Unfortunately, that Washington spokesperson doesn’t get it — a sign that he probably isn’t alone. It’s precisely these kinds of “publicity stunts” that are pushing the issue like it’s never been pushed before. Most agree that if there is a fight to be won when it comes to undocumented immigrants, it will be with the DREAM Act. But, the question everyone wants to know is — When?

Very true. The DREAM Act students, frustrated, have been forced to wait due to Capitol Hill politics. Whether it is Republicans who have united against any Comprehensive Immigration Reform, or Democrats and Immigration Reform groups who only want CIR and not a stand-alone DREAM Act, these kids are caught in the middle of a political debate.  What they seem to forget (even I did at one point) is that we’re dealing with a very human issue–we’re dealing with lives here.

We know how far the Republicans are willing to go when it comes to lives. Blocking health care (even going as far as excluding immigrants), blocking unemployment benefits, we should hardly be surprised when they play politics with immigration, or worse, make it the political hot potato that places fear into the Democrats.

Meanwhile, the Obama Administration continues overreacting to just about anything that makes them look pro-Human and pro-Civil Rights.

From reports on the ground (Thanks Guillermo), we’re hearing most of the students have been released by Capitol Police. A few more to go.

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Posted in Bigots and Liars, DREAM Act, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, National Democrats, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege, U.S. Ethnic Relations

GOP: Obama Heads for Impeachment Because of Immigration

Posted on July 19, 2010 | Comments Off

On Wednesday, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) was on Lou Dobbs’ radio show and went a step further. He agreed with Dobbs’ statement that President Obama is “awfully close” to violating his “oath to protect the Constitution of the United States” by not completely securing the border …

Considering that President Obama deported more immigrants in his first year in office (and the family separations continue), it seems the administration would have a defense to any impeachment based on actual numbers, rather than the fear the GOP puts out on immigration and Latinos.

Perhaps there’s a bigger story here:  Having President Obama admit to targeting more Latinos than ever could balance out how much the Latino electorate is avoiding the GOP.  Of course, there’s a big difference between doing a job and the vitriol that is spewed by the Republicans toward Latinos.

Frankly, we don’t like the numbers, but calling our kids “anchor babies” and promoting racial profiling laws that put an entire group of people under watch based on their color (and their shoes and clothing) is worse.  At least when dealing with Latino voters, that is.

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Posted in Bigots and Liars, Chicano Politics, DREAM Act, Houston Politica, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, National Democrats, Republinutiness, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege

Thoughts on Viernes…7162010

Posted on July 16, 2010 | Comments Off

DC at the Labor Celebration

DosCentavos was privileged and honored to be invited to the Latino Labor Leadership Council of SETexas’ Paul Vasquez Awards. Named after the labor leader, this 1st annual affair was quite memorable and I must thank LLLC President and friend Steven Flores (and Monica) for the invitation.

Honored for their commitment to Labor were our next Lt. Gov. Linda Chavez-Thompson, County Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia, State Senators Mario Gallegos, Rodney Ellis, and John Whitmire, and LaPorte City Councilman Michael Mosteit. All gave great speeches, especially Chavez-Thompson and Commissioner Garcia.  It was pretty obvious that if it had been daylight out, all would have gone blockwalking at that very moment.

It was quite an honor visiting with some of my more VIPer-than-most friends, including Jeff Weems, candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, State Rep. Armando Walle, City Council Member Ed Gonzalez, among so many others. I would like to thank my guests at the DosCentavos table:  Mark Diaz for Judge, Joe Montemayor for Texas House, Cesar Espinosa of America Para Todos, Michael Espinoza of SEIU, Sylvia Medellin of UH-D, Amy Perez, an award-winning educator at Aldine ISD, and my protege and PR guru Ashley Williams.

LLLC President Steven Flores stated that while there are forces out there trying to divide our country with bad laws, such as the Arizona one, the room we were in was indeed diverse and ready to work together to achieve great things. The evening sure gave me a boost toward November.

Photos:  Stace, CM Jolanda Jones, HD-127′s Joe Montemayor | Mark Diaz for Judge and HD127′s Joe Montemayor | Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate Jeff Weems w/ Joe Montemayor | America Para Todos’ Cesar Espinosa and Joe Montemayor | Montemayor w/ Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia | Ashley Williams, Sylvia Medellin & Amy Perez | Sandra Puente of CM Bradford’s office w/ Sylvia Medellin | SD15 Chair Lane Lewis and Stace Medellin

An Inside Job in Utah

Recently, I wrote about a much needed investigation into how a list of 1,300 people was released to the media and government agencies in Utah asking for their deportation.  Well, it’s been found that at least two and as many as four employees of a Utah state agency have been identified for giving out information.  Although using this information is a state misdemeanor, the fact that some of the information was health related could bring federal felony charges.

Frankly, I think there is more to the story as Utah’s governor prepares to have his own set of “immigration forums” for the purpose of putting together his own immigration bill.  Utah is under watch now.

In Campaign Finance News…

HD-127′s Tea Party-blican Dan Huberty reports about $4400 cash on hand; meanwhile Joe Crabb–the retired guy–reports about $43,000 after spending $17,000 on himself.  So, Dan Huberty owes himself more money in loans than what Crabb still reports on hand?  I think Joe Montemayor is in for some fun as he gets his completely grassroots campaign in gear–owing no one and not having sold his soul to the Tea Party.  Contribute to Joe’s campaign today because there is some serious damage to be done in HD-127 by Democrats.

MORE PHOTOS THIS WEEKEND…

Joe Montemayor will be honored at a fundraiser thrown by the Menkes of Kingwood.  Montemayor recently walked the Kingwood Independence Day Parade route, while his opponent rode atop a big truck.  Joe’s willing to work it, walk it, and get things done.

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Posted in Thoughts on Viernes

Are Dems Willing to Listen, Now?

Posted on July 15, 2010 | Comments Off

One of the best excuses used by Democratic operatives when asked about bringing out the Latino vote during all of this anti-immigrant turmoil was a polling “fact” that said immigration polled at the bottom of the Latino electorate’s most important issues.

Obviously, the economy, education, health care have been at the top, but when one is attacked, one defends.  Is it any wonder why this blogger (for some silly reason) expected the Democrats to not only defend from Republican hate, but push for comprehensive immigration reform throughout the 2nd half of this year?

Obviously, Democrats from President Obama down to the lowly non-Latino Democratic precinct chair have not really wanted the issue as part of the overall 2010 agenda–other than to say “we’re” being tough, or worse, agreeing with the right wing’s lies surrounding immigration and even supporting the racist Arizona racial profiling law.

Well, the L.A. Times reported on a recent poll that now has immigration as one of the top issues of the Latino electorate.  Yes, when one is attacked, one does defend.

Latinos now view immigration as their leading concern along with the economy in what activists say is a major shift most likely driven by controversy over Arizona’s tough law against illegal immigrants.

Nearly a third of Latinos also believe that racism and prejudice are the central issue in the immigration debate, over national security, job competition and costs of public services for illegal immigrants, according to a national survey released Wednesday.

And it’s not just Latino Democrats.

The poll found that the vast majority of those surveyed strongly opposed the new Arizona law and strongly supported an immigration policy overhaul providing for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and deportation of felons. Republican Latinos showed similar views on these issues as Democrats and independents.

OK–Democrats, who’s in charge and why aren’t you leading on this issue during the 2010 campaign? If ever the opportunity existed to not only bring Latinos that vote completely to our side and to the polls, but include those who aren’t avid voters but are paying attention, this is it.

And in the Texas Governor’s race, Rick Perry still leads Bill White by 9 points. It’s time for what seems to be the silver bullet.

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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, National Democrats, TDP Convention 2010, Texas Dems 2010

Viva La Feminista!

Posted on July 14, 2010 | Comments Off

Veronica Arreola at Ms. Magazine’s blog begins a series on Latinas and Feminism called “Summer of Feminista.”  In it, she highlights the various views of Latinas toward feminism.

Despite what we may think of feminism, Latinas and our communities have not been immune to the societal changes that feminism has brought. According to a new report, Latino men admit to wanting more time to care for their children, Latinas are less worried about children growing up in a single parent household and Latino men and women overwhelmingly want their daughters to have interesting careers.

So what do Latinas think of feminism?

In the first entry of a summer project I’ve launched called “Summer of Feminista,” Elizabeth of International Dreamsstruggles with her mother’s view of feminism (“I do not need a man”) and her lived feminism (co-parenting with her husband). She reminisces about what feminism meant to her in third grade and what it means today.

I want to thank the folks at Ms. for including this pro-Feminist Chicano in disseminating this blog.  Thanks to Ms. Arreola for taking on this task–and if you’re headed to Netroots Nation, she will be a speaker!

And to add to some of the thoughts, here’s a quote from my famous higher-ed leader sis, “By definition, a Chicana is a feminist, and if you’re not an activist, you better become one.”

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Posted in Cultura Chicana, La Familia, LatinoVote '10, Wise Latinas

Have You Been Brown-Listed?

Posted on July 13, 2010 | 1 Comment

This is just scary and brings reminders of  the red hunts and black lists during the McCarthy days. There’s no doubt that groups like the Minutemen and other anti-immigrant groups are utilizing the same message in their tactics, but in this case, it’s the Brown scare. So, that a list of “suspected” migrants without documentation has been disseminated to law enforcement agencies is not surprising; however, it should have federal agencies investigating all of these groups–but it doesn’t.

The letter was originally sent to “Customs and Immigration” on April 4, 2010. A spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a part of the US Department of Homeland Security, confirmed receipt of the list “a couple months back” but would not say if ICE had taken any action on it. Other law enforcement sources tell ABC 4 News that at most, ICE agents would check the list against existing “wants and warrants” and follow up only if they found a match.

In fact, they seem to actually be checking the lists without really investigating how it was obtained.

The list was sent anonymously to politicians, law enforcement and the news media. It not only contains names, but also birthdays, addresses, phone numbers and in a few cases, social security numbers.

The list includes both adults and children and even notes that a handful of women are pregnant. The letter that accompanied the list comments, “some of the women on the list are pregnant at this time and steps should be taken for immediate deportation.”

Other than possible privacy violations, identify theft issues, wrongfully obtaining private information without permission, there are even scarier possibilities of stalking and possible hate crimes given that they seem to be pushing the same lines as hate groups.

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Posted in Bigots and Liars, DREAM Act, Immigration, U.S. Ethnic Relations, Violence Against Latinos

The Best Part of Bill White’s NCLR Speech…

Posted on July 12, 2010 | Comments Off

DosCentavos had to find out from this article and not the official press release that Bill White also spoke on the Arizona law and immigration at the National Council of La Raza Convention.  You see, some of us couldn’t afford the $600 fee to attend.  Anyway, the Texas Latino electorate will be ecstatic to know that Bill White would veto any Arizona-styled law.

“It would make our communities in Texas less safe, not more safe, if we took our local police officers and deputy sheriffs off the hard job of combating gangs and crime to do routine immigration work,” the former Houston mayor said.

White promised to veto any legislation similar to the Arizona measure, and challenged Perry to make a similar commitment.

Rick Perry, on the other hand, decided to do his usual little dance, which entails telling Latinos he loves them, then doing something different on actual policy for his own political purposes.

With regard to White’s promise to veto Arizona-style legislation, Perry spokesman Mark Miner said, “It’s reckless (for White) to comment on a bill that hasn’t been written.”

Apparently, Rick Perry missed his own Debbie Riddle’s announcement of introducing an Arizona-type law, along with other racist, anti-Latino bills on education.  Riddle probably announced it during the 8th-hour–you know, since Rick Perry has only worked 7 hours.

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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege, U.S. Ethnic Relations

NCLR Features Bill White Today

Posted on July 12, 2010 | Comments Off

The next Governor of Texas, Bill White, spoke to the National Council of La Raza Convention in San Antonio today.  White outlined his five-point plan on education,  one of the most important issues in and for the Latino community, not to mention Texans, generally.

“Texas is the battleground for a great fight for our nation’s future. One in every ten students in public school live in Texas. The majority of young children in our state are Hispanic,” White said. “Our future, the future of Texas, depends on our ability to equip those young people with the skills and training to compete for good jobs, jobs with a future, in an increasingly competitive global economy.”

After hitting Rick Perry on recent revelations that his Texas Education Agency has basically lied to Texans about our schools’ effectiveness, White injected a dose of reality to the current situation in Texas.

“The choices confronting Texas are very stark and very plain. Will the state with one out of every ten Americans in public schools set a goal, tell the truth about where we are and where we want to be, and act to educate its younger population that is largely Hispanic? Will we, as did generations before us, act on the fact that young Texans are our greatest resource, or will we simply pretend they are? Will we plant for a future with great abundance, or will we forgo that hard work and live off our harvest?” White asked.

DosCentavos was not a happy camper when I found out that NCLR also featured Rick Perry and his voter disenfranchisement officer Hope Andrade.  NCLR needs to look to the future, instead of bowing the politics of division and hate, of which Rick Perry is king.

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Posted in LatinoVote '10, National Democrats, Texas Dems 2010, Texas Lege