On National Citizenship Day, ICIRR got out the bling. Why? To take a symbolic stand against skyrocketing fees and tougher tests that have put citizenship out of reach of the average immigrant. Under the banner of "No Gold Card Citizenship," advocates and would-be citizens marched- with some big-time bling- to the Chicago citizenship headquarters. There they delivered a giant, golden credit card petition to highlight the question, "Is US citizenship going to be just for the rich?"
Today the "Ya Basta!" ("Enough is Enough!") Campaign launched in Chicago. Dozens of Latino elected officials, community leaders, and members of the faith and business community joined Hispanic delegates to the upcoming Democratic Convention today in front of the Chicago headquarters of Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICIRR board president Juan Salgado addressed the crowd, as Latino delegates issued a call to stop the raids and deportations that are separating hard-working families and terrorizing whole communities. Read more…
This week's Wall Street Journal shows how ICIRR became a leader in the movement to press for innovative policies that help to integrate immigrants into their new communities. "The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, a nonprofit advocacy group that worked with Gov. Blagojevich to craft the executive order, has played a lead role in fostering integration initiatives in other states." We have indeed worked with leaders in states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Washington, where new, proactive approaches in the Illinois model will help to transform many nationalities into one nation. It’s exciting to see the movement take root! Read more…
Instead of making strides to repair an ailing immigration system, or ensuring humane detention conditions for those in its custody, Immigration, Customs, and Enforcement has introduced a plan so absurd, even its die-hard fans are stumped. ICE to immigrants: "Please Deport Yourselves." Today marked the first full day of the pilot program in Chicago, yet (surprise, surprise) not a single person volunteered for deportation. Read more…
Americans of all stripes are coming together to shine light on the federal government’s failure to uphold basic human rights and due process for immigrants being held in detention. “A Hidden System” is a short video that ICIRR teamed up on to give a face and a voice to what’s wrong with our ballooning detention industry. Read more…
Even as both candidates intensify outreach to Latino voters, immigrant advocates are demanding specific details about how the candidates will enact humane reform. At a recent national Latino conference, ICIRR President Juan Salgado asked John McCain whether he was still committed to comprehensive immigration reform bill. Bloggers from the Sanctuary recently sent surveys about specific immigration policy to both candidates- see CNN coverage.Read more…
The questionable trials that followed last May's massive raid in Postville, Iowa, were brought to light today by long-time interpreter Erik Camayd-Freixas. Professor Freixas detailed the injustices that took place in Postville in a 14-page essay about the proceedings (in which nearly 400 workers were railroaded through hasty trials at a local cattle grounds). The essay showed that many of the Guatemalan immigrants he translated for did not understand their rights or the severity of the charges they faced. Read more…
Just yesterday, the Illinois Review attacked New Americans Democracy Day with bogus statements that demonize all immigrants in this country. Their outrageous claims about "non-citizens stealing elections" are a sad but frequent fear-tactic used by too many in the immigration debate. Immigrant communities are mobilizing to fight these attacks by becoming citizens, registering those who already are citizens, and turning out their communities on election day. Read more…
"What if all the leading anti-immigration groups were founded by the same man, funded by the same organization, and had ties to White supremacy?” asks the expose video, “Behind the Veil: America's Anti-Immigrant Network," released today. Read more…
The National Rights Working Group Campaign to Hold Homeland Security will launch Thursday, June 19th, as ICIRR and dozens of other groups around the country will conduct “The Night of 1,000 Conversations,” an evening of discussion, education and action about how Department of Homeland Security is undermining the civil liberties and human rights of people living in the United States. Read more…
