Tag Archives: immigration

DHS’s announcement:
All current deportation cases to be reviewed

For the past few months, you’ve called and petitioned the White House and the Department of Homeland Security asking for them to show some courage and protect our immigrant communities. Our demands have been heard and the Administration has taken a step in the right direction to fixing our broken immigration system.

Yesterday, senior administration officials announced that all 300,000 cases currently in deportation proceedings will be reviewed by DHS, one-by-one, in an effort to focus purely on “high-priority” cases of criminals and individuals who pose a serious threat to the US. Cases deemed “low-priority” will be completely removed from the case log and, non-criminal immigrants once facing deportation, will have the possibility to obtain work permits.

The announcement is the first pro-immigrant procedural change that will provide some relief to DREAMers, LGBT spouses, victims of domestic abuse, and other non-criminal immigrants currently in deportation proceedings.

While the announcement is complicated, we’ve summarized the procedural changes DHS has announced they’ll make.

This is an important step in the right direction. We urge the Administration to enforce this policy vigorously and follow it through to its full logical and moral conclusion: suspend deportations of all those who work hard every day to create better lives for themselves and their families.

Congrats on this victory, and thanks for all you do,

Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America

Click here to learn more about these policies and share with friends and family.

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I am an outlaw

06/29/2011 Nativegrl77

Just one week ago, I published an expose in the New York Times. It was my life story. I am an undocumented immigrant, an outlaw in my own country.

In the days since, I have been drowning in media requests, tearful letters, and powerful Facebook messages. I want to thank all of the individuals who have both challenged and supported me, and ask those who have not yet done so to join me.

I’ve left my job as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and come out about my immigration status because it’s long past time to strike up a more civil, inclusive debate about immigration in America. It’s a risk, but I have a unique story to tell, and I was tired of staying silent.

Now, I’m launching the project “Define American.” http://www.change.org/petitions/stand-with-me-jose-antonio-vargas-for-a-new-conversation-about-immigration?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&alert_id=priUkRVDLL_INmaVodArs

We may not all agree on how to fix it, but one thing we can all agree on is that our immigration debate is out of control and our immigration system is badly broken. I believe not only that we can do better, but that we must.

Will you sign the pledge to stand with me, Jose Antonio Vargas, in calling for a new national conversation on immigration? http://www.change.org/petitions/stand-with-me-jose-antonio-vargas-for-a-new-conversation-about-immigration?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&alert_id=priUkRVDLL_INmaVodArs

Some would say my story is the tale of a hard-working immigrant who defines the American dream: achieving success against great odds, working hard, and even earning a Pulitzer Prize for my reporting. Still, despite everything I’ve achieved, the law still says I am not technically an American. I am undocumented.

I want to ask my fellow Americans: What would you do, if you found out at age 16 that you didn’t have the right papers? As a journalist, my job is to ask questions that spark conversation. Now I am asking you to join in that conversation.

Sign the pledge to “Define American,” share it with everyone you know, and then leave us a comment about what you would do if you found out you were undocumented. I will bring your comments and stories with me as I head to the next round of media interviews. http://www.change.org/petitions/stand-with-me-jose-antonio-vargas-for-a-new-conversation-about-immigration?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&alert_id=priUkRVDLL_INmaVodArs

We all have a story to tell, so let’s talk. Let’s debate. Most importantly, let’s listen.

All the best,

– Jose

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Obama’s immigration speech

05/12/2011 Nativegrl77

Obama in El Paso.

The time for reform is now.

Almost 15,000 of you told the President that change takes courage.

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1227?akid=696.164689.D7b–

Yesterday he renewed his push for comprehensive immigration reform painting a picture of a nation built on a rich heritage of immigration; a nation in which you can come to America and write the next chapter of our history.

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1198?akid=696.164689.D7b-al&t=6

Today, we’re a nation where DREAM students are being deported, families are separated, and enforcement is at all-time high. The President has given the other side the space to come to the table and they haven’t shown up.

Now is the time for Congress to give us a permanent solution. Congress needs to address the economic and human costs of the millions of people living in the shadows of society and the broken immigration system that has broken up countless families and communities.

Tell Congress the time for excuses is up – it’s time to act on immigration reform. http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1227?akid=696.164689.D7b-al&t=7

The President is right – we each have the opportunity to write the next chapter of our history and that opportunity is now.

Thanks,

Marissa Graciosa

Reform Immigration FOR America

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Remind Obama: Change Takes Courage

05/09/2011 Nativegrl77

He heard our voices

We need to keep the pressure up

President Obama heard our message loud and clear. Yesterday, he held a major meeting on immigration reform to give the process new life. -Click on link below

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1211?akid=679.164689.9Fc670&t=6

This jump start for the immigration reform debate is the direct result of thousands of us demanding that he keep his campaign promises. He knows that our immigration system is broken, that our families are being torn apart and we need relief. But we need to make sure the President keeps his word.

Tell the President we support his efforts, but words are not enough -Click on link below

http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1198?akid=679.164689.9Fc670&t=7

We need action. He has heard us loud and clear, but will he listen? Bringing immigration reform back is a good first step, but it’s not enough.

Thank you,

Marissa Graciosa

Reform Immigration FOR America

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Take our quiz: What century are they from? a message from Marissa Graciosa

03/17/2011 Nativegrl77

History is repeating itself

Can you tell the difference?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! They say today everyone is a little bit Irish.

It wasn’t always like that, though. When the Irish first came to America they were met with persecution, ignorance and fear. They were denied jobs, accused of lawlessness and of destroying the United States. Immigration became a rallying point for the Know-Nothings, a political party dedicated to punishing immigrants.

Flash forward to today. Hispanic immigrants are facing the same accusations and the same injustices. History is repeating itself, right in front of us. In fact, it’s getting impossible to tell the difference between rhetoric from the historical Know-Nothings and today’s Republican Party.

Take the quiz: Can you tell the difference? http://act.reformimmigrationforamerica.org/go/1190?akid=652.164689.coTnOf&t=6

See if you can tell the difference between the historical Know-Nothings and today’s modern ones. Then, take action and tell some of the House’s most extreme right wing restrictionist voices not to keep repeating history. We need constructive solutions, not repackaged racism and xenophobia.

Thank you,

Marissa Graciosa

Reform Immigration FOR America