A Message From Petra Falcon, Promise Arizona Dream Vote Today

Petra Falcon is one of my mentors, a person in whom I have great respect.  She sent me this message and asked we pass it along!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Tim,

If there was ever a moment when we needed all your faith and action, today is it.

The House leadership announced last night that the DREAM Act will come up for a vote today. And this afternoon, the Senate will be voting on the cloture motion that would allow the Senate to proceed to a vote on the DREAM Act. NOW is the time to do everything we can to pass the DREAM Act!

We urge you to support the thousands of DREAMers in Arizona and across the nation through your prayers and phone calls to representatives.

Call your Senators: English: 866-996-5161 | Spanish: 866-961-4293
Call your Representative: English: 866-967-6018
Call a targeted Senator: English: 866-587-6101 | Spanish: 866-956-3902

All our Members of Congress have to hear from us, but especially the following Arizona representatives who need a good final push to vote YES!

Congresswoman Giffords Arizona Office: (520) 881-3588 & DC Office (202) 225-2542
Rep. Kirkpatrick Arizona Office: (928) 445 3434 & DC Office (202) 225 2315/

Tell the staffer who answers that you're counting on them to stand on the just side of this issue by voting for the DREAM Act which will give our young people a chance to fulfill their dreams and serve their country.

In prayer and solidarity,

Petra Falcon
Executive Director
Promise Arizona

P.S. Please forward this message widely!

The Dream Act could add billions to the economy and reduce the deficit!  It would add hundreds of potential recruits in defense of our country!  Hundreds of young people are at risk of deportation as we speak!

BuzzNet Tags: dream activist,dream act,petra falcon,promise arizona,john mccain,congresswoman giffords,rep. kirkpatrick,immigration refrom,cir,rifa

Senators Hutchinson, McCain Sup While Students Starve

This article originally appeared as Senators Hutchinson, McCain Sup While Students Starve

A generation of young people will likely get a vote on the Dream Act as a stand alone bill Wednesday, December 8th, 2010, a wish they have had for a long time. Unfortunately, after the GOP forced President Obama to extend tax benefits to millionaires, many Republican Senators are breaking their pledge to support the Dream Act vote.

Senator John McCain (R-Ariz) has been a towering mountain preventing the passage of the Dream Act and Don’t Act Don’t Tell. Activists are meeting an entirely different man than they did in 2007 when McCain was one of the chief supporters of the Dream Act.

McCain hugged Gabby Pacheco, a Dream Activist who works with autisitic children, during a 2007 meeting. He promised to support the cause of students who were brought to the US through no fault of their own.

"He said 'Don't worry, everything is going to be OK. I'm going to fight for this.' " Pacheco recalled McCain reassuring her.

Pacheco became a McCain fan, supporting him during his run for president. She sported McCain bumper stickers, put out McCain yard signs and she became a vocal advocate of the Viet Nam vet from Arizona.

"I talked about the legacy that he always had, which was to fight for justice, and that he was fighting for justice then as well."

Shortly before thanksgiving 2010, Pacheco approached McCain to speak to him about the Dream Act. She thought he would remember her since she had introduced him at a public meeting. McCain rebuffed her and told her to stay away from him or he would call the Capitol Police. As McCain was getting in an elevator, one of the students lamented they only wanted to serve the country in the military and needed his support.

“Go serve them then!” McCain snarled as the elevator door closed. McCain clearly knows students of undocumented workers cannot serve in the military. Several students are camped outside of his office in Phoenix, Arizona, living 24/7 underneath a canopy, and calling themselves the “Dream Army”.   They have made the appeal to change the law so undocumented youth can serve the nation they have called home for nearly all of their lives.

A spokesperson for McCain, Brooke Buchanan, said McCain did not threaten to call the police or tell the students to “Go serve them then”.

With the statements diametrically opposed, which one is true? McCain is the person who broke his word of support of the Dream Act for the benefit of his personal and political gain. These could not have been the moral principles he used when he was tortured as a prisoner in Viet Nam.

Read more: http://technorati.com/politics/article/senators-hutchinson-mccain-sup-while-students/#ixzz17SJvYEIm

In addition to protests, the Arizona students are in their 8th day of a hunger strike.

Meanwhile, the situation is more dire in Texas. Two weeks ago, 15 students were arrested when they refused to leave Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s office (R-Tx). One of those students was My Le, an 18 year old freshman at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

"Everyone here is an immigrant, everyone's ancestors are immigrants," Le said.

Another protester who was arrested was Pastor Lorenza Andrade Smith, a US citizen and person of conscience.  Rev. Smith remains in jail pending the passage of the ACT.

Pastor Lorena Andrade Smith during Texas arrest

A significantly larger group of students supported those who volunteered for arrest, including Washington State activist, Jessica Olivas. The charismatic college student interned with Promise Arizona working to register Latinos for the vote. With her internship over, Olivas, a US citizen, used the skills she learned in helping others find leadership and voice their outrage. Olivas is an example of hundreds of second and third generation American immigrants who stand in solidarity with undocumented students in their quest for justice.

After being released from custody, the Arizona students were back protesting the next day. Other rallies have been scheduled throughout the nation, including Maine, Colorado, Arizona and California.. Over 100 Dream Act supporters have joined the Texas students in their hunger strike, according to Carlos Saavedra of United We Dream, a national coalition of groups in 25 states. Today was the 27th day for the Texas hunger strikers.

Saavedra indicated the Dream Students were not looking for amnesty. The Dream Act is narrow legislation applying to a very few students who came to the US as young children. If the students go to college or serve in the military, after passing stiff back ground checks, they could become permanent residents. Because of the lengthy requirements, the law is a long term proposition, not amnesty.

President Obama announced agreement with the Republicans to extend tax cuts for those who make a million dollars in net income. The extension will be for two years, timed with the presidential election. As students prepare for 28 days without food, as a generation of immigrant youth faces a future without hope, the wealthiest people in the nation rejoice at not paying taxes on their taxable incomes of a million dollars.

BuzzNet Tags: dream act,jessica olivas,san antonio,gabby pacheco,dream activist,15 students arrested,hunger strike,mccain,hutchinson,tax cuts

Read more: http://technorati.com/politics/article/senators-hutchinson-mccain-sup-while-students/page-2/#ixzz17SKGvPbD

Petra Falcon Says Dream Act On!

Dear Tim,
The pressure is on.
Congress is debating passage of the DREAM Act, a bipartisan proposal that would create a pathway to citizenship for thousands of young people who were brought to the United States years ago as children. Promise Arizona benefited greatly from volunteer activities of DREAM Activists in Arizona like Michael Nazario, Erika Andiola and Celso Mireles. We urge you to support them and the thousands of other DREAMers in Arizona and across the nation.


Petra Falcon

Will you call your representative and urge them to vote YES on the DREAM Act?
Click here to let us know you will be calling.

Tell the staffer who answers that you're counting on them to stand up for our young men and woman by voting for the DREAM Act which will give our young people a chance to fulfill their dreams and serve their country.

Call your Senators: English: 866-996-5161 | Spanish: 866-961-4293
Call your Representative: English: 866-967-6018
Call a targeted Senator: English: 866-587-6101 | Spanish: 866-956-3902
If Congress fails to move forward with the DREAM Act, many will continue to be left in the dark unable to plan for the future, some will be deported to countries they don't even know, and our country will lose a critical group of leaders who strongly desire to contribute to our success as a nation.

Let us stand by our youth in the struggle for immigrant rights. Call your representatives today.
In Solidarity,
Petra Falcon
Executive Director
Promise Arizona
P.S. Please forward this message widely!
 
 
Promise Arizona (PAZ) {www.promiseaz.org} is a new membership organization whose mission is to recruit, train and support a new generation of leaders from across the state to build a new Arizona, one that will allow all residents to achieve their full potential.

Response:
Petra, I would do anything for you and for the cause!  Thanks! 

Tim

Tough Tits For Dream Student Steve Li

 
This article first published by Tim Paynter as “Tough Titty For Dream Student Steve Li” on Technorati  S55Z3Z7ZW8TF

STEVE IS SCHEDULED FOR DEPORTATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010.  IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED.  YES!  CALL ON SUNDAY!

Steve Li on Facebook

Technorati code  S55Z3Z7ZW8TF



A nation that prides itself as compassionate and a leader in human rights is slamming the doors on the fingers of a 20-year-old student who wants to devote his life to taking care of the sick. Without immediate intervention, nursing school student Steven Li will be practicing Spanish in Lima Peru, while his parents grieve the separation of parent and child. An unfair immigration system says tough titty to Steve Li.
“A 20-year-old City College student is not a threat to our national security,” Li’s attorney, Sin Yen Ling, said at a protest today.

Li, who lives with his mother in San Francisco, was picked up by ICE on September 15th, 2010 along with his mother, Maria. Li’s father was picked up shortly thereafter. Their request for asylum was denied five years ago and they are under a final order of deportation.
Subsequently, the parents were released from custody. China refuses to accept the parents back because they came here as political refugees from a one child policy and out of fear of their government.
Meanwhile, Steve was transferred to an ICE facility in Arizona and is now lost in the maze of public and private ICE detention facilities. It is possible the youth will not see his parents before authorities put him on a plane to Lima, Peru.
Li, who was a child during the original immigration proceedings had no say in a bad decision made early in the case by his parents.  He was not even aware of the deportation order until ICE came to his door.  He thought his tourist visa was adequate and his parents, wishing to spare him anxiety, had not been forthright about the removal order.  Steve never had his day in court, since his presence was waived due to his age.
Read more: http://technorati.com/politics/article/tough-titty-for-dream-student-steve/#ixzz15HCdG6GD
"(ICE) Fugitive Operations says, ‘well, you had your court date. You had your due process, now you have to leave.’  But this is not adequate due process for Steve Li,” said his attorney Ling (since the parents appeared on behalf of their son, who knew little of what was happening.)
“He has no money, no clean clothes, how will he get by?” his mother Maria said with tears running down her cheeks.
Steve was born in Peru but left there as a child. He has no family, no means of support and nowhere to go once his plane touches down in Lima. What harm does a nursing school student pose to this nation in a time when there is a shortage of nurses?
In fact, the Board of Supervisors  from San Francisco Community College passed a unanimous resolution in support of Steve Li saying he is a model student.  "We don't pass many unanimous resolutions," said one member of the Board of Supervisors.
The family is faced with difficult decisions. The parents could apply for a visa for Peru, but there is no guarantee it will be granted. If not, they face being separated from their son for years. If the parents migrate to Peru, they will not be able to return to the U.S. for 10 years.
"Speaker Pelosi believes that Steve Li’s case is a textbook example of the pressing need for comprehensive immigration reform and passage of the DREAM Act,” a spokesman for Pelosi’s office said.
Steve’s Supporters have asked Senator Barbara Boxer to sponsor a private bill in a last ditch effort to halt Li’s deportation to Peru, scheduled for Monday, November 15th.
‘We ask that a miracle take place and that Steve’s mom and San Francisco can be happy again, that the heart and soul of what is morally right can overcome regulations,” Reverend Normal Fang said.
Read more: http://technorati.com/politics/article/tough-titty-for-dream-student-steve/page-2/#ixzz15HCr79av

BuzzNet Tags: steve li,dream act,deportation,ice raids,deports student to peru,city college,comprehensive immigration reform,cir,normal fang

Dream Act Gives Hope To Students, CIR RIFA

Dream

Act

Laura Lopez talks about reform

The Dream Act gives young undocumented children who came to the US when they were to young to understand what borders are.  Some came as young as age one.  Others were a little older.  What they all understood is how it feels to be hungry.

As they become young adults they find their path in life has been changed.  While their friends in school have a chance at breaking the chain of poverty, they are stuck.  If they can get into college, which is difficult at best, they have to pay out of state tuition.  When they graduate, their degree goes to a waste because they can’t get licensed and don’t have a social security number.

The Dream Act would allow these young people to go to school, and in the process they would be able to naturalize.  There are some strict requirements, they must go to at least a two year college or serve in the military. 

They would have to come forward and identify themselves so we know who is in the country.  They would get a driver’s license hence be able to get automobile insurance.  Most people like the idea of all motorists being insured. 

They would have to pay a fine, which when totaled would add about 3 billion to the federal kitty.  After a background check and about 6 years, they would be able to naturalize.  This is not amnesty. There is no forgiveness. 

There are many ways to participate.  Promise Arizona is a membership organization training tomorrow’s leaders.  There are a host of organizations like CIRC in Colorado.  Come be part of the solution!

del.icio.us Tags: laura lopez,dream act,cir,immigration reform,arizona,promise arizona,circ,padres y jovenes unidos,latino,vote,immigrant,college,chain of poverty

Arizona considers racial profiling in schools, HB 1070 requires reporting children of undocumented workers!

Senator Russell Pearce SB 1097

Drunk with the headlines, Republican Senator Russell Pearce has come up with a ‘one better’ than HB 1070 which condones racial profiling.  Now, Russell wants to go after the children of undocumented aliens.  SB 1097 would require reporting the number of undocumented children  in the school and the ‘economic impact’ they have on the system.  Failure to report could cost the school it’s funding!

Senator Russell Pearce smiles as he contemplates the tears on the faces of children of undocumented workers when they are denied a grade school education

The tactic Russell Pearce proposes has been used for years by parents in divorce court.  The wife won’t let dad see the kids unless he ponies up for child support and a large hunk of the marital estate.  Dad demands custody of the children until mom gets real on the money part.  No one is looking out for the best interests of the children.  While there are a thousand versions of marital ping-pong, it is the dirtiest pool one can play in the law.

The fool Senator Pearce has merely moved marital dirty pool into the schools.  His ugly SB 1097 will intimidate undocumented families while manipulating school administrators.  Either the school goes along with denying education to the children of undocumented aliens who had no choice in coming to this country, or the state of Arizona will deny funding for the rest of the student population.

What bullies fail to see is, no one takes their side.  Senator Pearce is playing the role of a fool by getting his mug in the headlines once again.  He is putting the Republican party nation-wide at risk of another crushing defeat in November.  It is well known the hate laws being passed in Arizona are along party lines, Republicans for HB 1070 racial profiling, Democrats against HB 1070.  One can presume Republicans in other states share similar sentiments. 

Of course, Teddy Tan, I mean right wing Ted Tancredo weighed in on the proposed Arizona law, insisting we need to measure the cost of educating innocent children of undocumented immigrants.  He has not mentioned how to monitor the cost of sending un-educated young adults to prison when they are forced into poverty and lives of crime.  Republicans secretly breathed a great sign of relief after Teddy Tan Tancredo left the House congressional seat for Colorado years ago.   His extreme views and insistence in robbing Republican headlines cost the party dearly and current Republicans hope to silence this fruit cake.

Fools don’t lift their heads up to see what is going on around them.  Thousands of organizations are announcing boycotts of Arizona.  Conventions are cancelling.  There is a move to cancel the 2011 All Stars game to be held in Phoenix.   While the fool Russell Pearce does not care what happens in his state, Republican senates in other states considering a copy-cat HB 1070 racial profiling law must be having second thoughts.  Pearce and his cronies are making allies for the pro-reform immigration movement more than any other single person or organization in the United State of America could.  They are making enemies for Republicans nationwide more than any candidate could and SB 1097 is just another nail in the coffin.

Now is a good time to order your free Arizona travel guide as it costs the state of Arizona money to print and send out, could affect the budget for the Arizona Tourist Board and some of us will be traveling to the State to protest ugly laws!

We must assist Arizona in defeating Republican senators and Republican governor Jan Brewer in the November elections.  While the fool Republican Senator Russell Pearce and his buddies are moving full speed ahead on SB 1097 in the Arizona Senate as reported in Zimvi.com, the Arizona House has wisely tabled the bill pending the outcome of the November elections.  The House understands the power of the Latino voting base along with those who stand up against injustice.

Technorati Tags: hb 1097,sb 1097,russell pearce,arizona senate,racial profiling,take action,dream act,student data collection,thanks for saying shame on Arizona,jan brewer,tom tancredo,tea party,student reporting

Denver City Council passes pro-immigration proclamation! Paul Lopez has a vision for Denver!

Denver, Colorado, is more progressive than I had thought.  I was surprised listening to the members of the Denver, City Council, as they considered a proposal by Denver City Councilman Paul Lopez, District #3, asking for the council to pass a proclamation asking the federal government to get on with the business of comprehensive immigration reform ( cir asap ).

'
Eight of the nine council persons spoke in favor of the proclamation.  They cited various issues including the need to give children of immigrants a chance to advance themselves and go to school, the need for undocumented workers to come into conformance with the law, and the responsibility of the federal government to solve this problem and not leave it on the backs of the states.


The lone dissenter was Jeanie Faatz who represents an affluent constituency.  She says she sent out surveys and 65% would oppose portions of the proclamation. 


She also said the majority of her voters would over-whelmingly oppose a measure which grants children of undocumented immigrants a chance at education, especially if it allowed them to get in-state tuition.  Ms. Faatz, and likely her wealthy voter base, cannot see why educating a child breaks the chain of poverty and helps keep youth out of prisons and trouble.  Such narrow thinking eventually costs the tax payers significantly more money than if the state had simply cooperated in the education of children who already are here.  The Denver Post reporter appears in the video above and his story on the event appears here.


  What would help Ms. Faatz is to read the proposed comprehensive immigration reform ( cir ) bill to be placed in front of the Senate.  The proposal resolves many of the issues she addresses, including border security, admission of future residents, and the specific path to citizenship which is not amnesty and is quite lengthy.


Paul Lopez is a dynamic leader who will surely help shape the future of Denver, Colorado, as well as the future of the State and lives of immigrants who live in Denver.  I am optimistic this charismatic Denver City Councilman continues his political career and continues in his leadership role.  Reform Immigration For America ( RIFA ) Reforma Migratoria Pro America


Lopez spoke, his voice revealing tremendous humanity within his soul.  He told us about two constituents, one who wanted to get a library card.  Since the youth is undocumented, she was not able to get the card.  As a student, access to books is critical in the process of education. 


The other person wanted to participate in the Denver Library seed program.  The library hands out seeds in it’s effort to support a green Colorado.  However, if you are undocumented, you are not eligible for something as simple as seeds to grow food bearing plants.  On a more serious note, an undocumented female cannot get treatment for breast cancer until she is nearly on her death bed. 

Paul Lopez, Mayor John Hickenlooper, including Chris Nevitt and the majority of the members of the Denver City Council, and Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, Colorado Congresswoman Diana DeGette have the vision and wisdom to know the solution to the immigration problem in the U.S. involves keeping families together, making sure youth have a chance at education and to break the chain of poverty.  Comprehensive immigration reform ( CIR ) resolves these issues in one package.  It makes ugly hate laws like Arizona HB 1070 obsolete.  Stand behind Paul Lopez, a true leader in Colorado!

Technorati Tags: paul lopez,cir,comprehensive immigration reform,denver city council passes,immigration reform must,denver city council immigration,rifa,undocumented workers,illegal alien

May 1, hand 2 hand, city 2 city, street 2 street RIFA LEADS TO CIR ASAP! The Dream of 2010!

May First

We

Join Hands

City

2

City

Street 2 Street

Men+Women+Children+ Youth

Candle light vigil in Washington D.C.

We will

Celebrate

What

America

Will Look Like

With

Comprehensive

Immigration

Reform!

( CIR )

Find A

March

Near You!

^^ W/ RIFA

Arriba Rifa!

Change Takes Courage!

    You don’t have to be Hispanic to support comprehensive immigration reform.


    You don’t have to be an immigrant to protest the travesty of justice in Arizona.


     All you need is a belief that all people should be treated fairly in a land of justice!


     If you have not made up your mind then join us on May one.  Listen to the stories.  Take our hands in solidarity.  Help us bring the message of justice and equality to all in the land of the free!



Practice your Spanish*Meet the people*Don’t be afraid!


Be part of the civil rights movement of this era…if you miss it you will be kicking yourself for the rest of your life!  Tell your grandchildren you were there for the Dream in 2010!



     If you have made up your mind then we need you here with us, 1 de May.  Help tell the stories.  Help welcome the new comer to our rallies.  We will do together what no one person can do on his own.

Don’t rest on your Laurels!

Reforma Migratoria PRO America

 

Make the case for immigration reform in 2010~!

Be part of the Dream!

Be a Dream Activist!

Love your neighbor like your brother!

Technorati Tags: dream activist,may day,1 de mayo,rifa,reform immigration for america,reforma migratoria pro america,arizona,arpaio,equal protection,civil rights,the dream act,march to

RIFFA CIR ASAP confidential talking points 4 your i’s only, Carlos, disclose with caution!

To: Carlos Velasquez, enlavidanueva@yahoo.com

From:  Tim Paynter

Carlos,  Here are the confidential RIFA Cir talking points I promised you.

• The average English speaker does not know what immigration reform is all about.  It is time English speaking citizens start talking with each other.  Information is power.
• The bill provides comprehensive immigration reform, which means it addresses conservative concerns about border security while resolving immigration problems in the U.S.
• Section 101 of the act addresses border security.  It provides a billion dollars a year to beef up security in major sea ports.  It provides bullet proof vests for all border patrol agents.  It provides a comprehensive assessment of our current border security plan so we don’t spend money foolishly and we make our security investment dollars count.
• We are spending billions of dollars a year catching and rounding up undocumented workers.  The money could be better spent targeting drug traffickers and terrorists instead of chasing down poor people.
• The law in Arizona will make reporting a crime as serious as rape difficult.  A child who is raped or molested will be reticent to report it as the entire family could be deported.  The perpetrator would get away since there would be no witnesses.  Other problems exist including straining police protection and racial profiling.  Immigration reform is badly needed to combat abusive legislation.
•  
• The bill includes provisions of the Dream Act, which is legislation that will allow immigrant children to go to college and break the chain of poverty.
• While the bill provides an eventual path to legalization, it is not amnesty.  The process requires passing a background check, payment of a fine and on paper will take 6 years.  With backlogs, the process could take 10 to 15 years.  
• The total potential fines could be over 2.5 billion dollars!
• With the recession ending, the U.S. will have difficulty providing adequate labor for retiring baby boomers.  The law provides for how new labor will be admitted to the U.S.
• ICE Raids are on the increase during the Obama administration.  Currently, ICE prides itself on massive round ups which yank mothers and children out of bed at 4:00 in the morning. 
• ICE claims it has a program targeting criminal illegal aliens but you don’t need to break much of a law to considered criminal and therefore worth tracking down.  A simple DUI may be enough, even if it happened years ago.
• Deportations break up families.  They often leave a mother here fending for her children with the father in Mexico.  In other scenarios, a child is deported to Mexico while his mother, father and siblings remain in the U.S. 
• A U.S. citizen child who returns to Mexico with his undocumented mother or father will grow up in the Mexican culture, learn Spanish and not understand the U.S. system.  At age 18 he may re-enter the country and claim his citizenship.  This is a horrible way to treat a U.S. citizen.  A simple solution is to allow his family to complete their migration process and allow the U.S. citizen a chance to grow up in culture of America. 
• Family values don’t support breaking up of families.
• RIFA Stands for Reform Immigration For America.  I think the Spanish version is Reforma Migratoria Pro Amercia.  This is a national movement comprised of several civil rights groups who banded together to bring the message of immigration reform to you and me.

     There are a lot more items you might talk about.  These will get you started.  You will be amazed at how many people are misinformed.  Years of conservative talk radio without a counter-balancing point of view have caused confusion about the issue.

     I wish you the best of luck.  I won’t say guard these with your life, but I can tell you a person with a closed mind will not be able to understand the points.  You might as well not waste your time on them.

     The Philadelphia Immigration Examiner has a good article on the matter.

Here is a real fun one: RIFA Nevada

Some other great resources: 

     The National Immigration Forum

     The Center for American Progress

     The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
     These are my own points of view. I don’t speak for the Reform  Immigration For America people ( RIFA ), or Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR ASAP) proponents.  You can check the RIFA website.  By the way, there will be marches and events on May 1st throughout the nation.  Anyone who is interested in learning about immigration should attend one.  

     Sincerely,

     Tim Paynter

c.c.  Mike Stevens, Phil Shorter, Miguel Aguilar, Raul Serengati, Steven B. Serious, Jes I. Can @ indonesia center for fair treatment

The contents of this communication are confidential and intended for the person addressed only.