CAUSA

U.S. House Passes Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform Bill

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:52:34 PST

Late last night after a long day of debate, the U.S. House passed an historic bipartisan health care reform bill. At 11:15pm EST, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) by a vote of 220, which included 219 Democrats and 1 Republican.

According to a press release from Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), the bill includes “a public option, adds coverage for 37 million people, insures 96% of Americans, and provides advance care planning - a provision Blumenauer authored - all while reducing the deficit.”

For almost 100 years and despite countless attempts, neither chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform.

The passage of the bill brought Americans one step closer to secure, affordable care while extending health care to 36 million more Americans including 323,000 more Oregonians.

It is now up to the Senate to take up their version of healthcare reform legislation. According to ABC News, two bills have already moved through committee and now must be merge into a single, unified bill. Democratic Leaders pledge they will have a bill on the President’s desk before the end of the year.

Correction: Original article reported U.S. Congress passed Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform bill. For clarity, it was the U.S. House of Representatives that passed the Historic Bipartisan Health Care Reform Bill.

Senate kills divisive Vitter Amendment seeking to wreck Census

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:57:01 PST

Today, the Senate voted and achieved cloture with a 60-39 vote to cut-off further debate on the Commerce-Justice-Science Spending Bill killing the Vitter Amendment that sought to use the 2010 Census for anti-immigrant politicking.

In response to the Senate's action, the Service Employees International Union Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina issued the following statement.

"Today U.S. Senators put working families ahead of the politics of division and hatred. Joining a chorus of former U.S. Census Directors and advocacy leaders , the Senate voted down Senators Vitter and Bennett's misguided attempt to undercut 2010 enumeration efforts and mar this critical process with hateful, anti-immigrant politics.

"The Senate's move to protect the 2010 Census will help ensure we achieve an accurate count of our nation's diverse population-protecting billions of dollars in federal funding for local communities and ensuring reapportionment is based on a factual representation of who we are as a nation.

"As we approach the March, 2010 launch of the U.S. Census, SEIU will continue our efforts to support an accurate, timely count of Latinos and other traditionally undercounted communities. When entire communities are left out of decisions about allocation of federal funds, all working people suffer. When Latino and immigrant communities are left out of political redistricting conversations, our democracy suffers."

SEIU was partnered with AAJC, CAP, Demos, HNBA, LCCR, LDF, LULAC, MALDEF, NALEO, NDN, PFAW in the Don't Wreck the Census campaign. Since launching, the campaign helped drive thousands of letters and calls to the Senate, urging them to block the divisive Vitter-Bennett amendment

CNN refuses to run ad calling for Lou Dobbs' ouster

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:35:13 PST

Last Thursday America's Voice began airing a new ad on MSNBC continuing the call for CNN to drop Lou Dobbs. According to their website, dispite raising the funds to air the ad on CNN, CNN executives refused to air their PSA titled "Drop the Hate, Drop Dobbs".

America's Voice has been raising money at their website to run the ad. Since the beginning of the campaign, the organization has already raised $16,000 from online donations.

For more information, visit America's Voice at http://www.americasvoiceonline.org/.

Cristina Lopez to discuss Oregon & Oaxaca Connection at Willamette University tonight

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:13:13 PDT

Tonight Cristina Lopez will present on The Connection Between Oregon and Oaxaca and the Impact of Immigration on Families at 7:00 p.m. in Eaton Hall at Willamette University in Salem.

Currently Oaxacans make up the largest group of immigrants in Oregon, bringing a variety of indigenous languages and cultures with them. Her presentation is sponsored by the Willamette University's departments of Sociology, Politics, History, Women and Gender Studies, Latin American Studies, and Spanish as well as the International Studies Program and the Chaplain's Office.

Cristina Lopez was born in Santo Domingo Tonala in the Mixteca region in Oaxaca. She was raised in the Napa Valley in California after immigrating to the US with her family in 1984. Cristina attended UCLA and received a BA in Women's Studies, and Chicana/o Studies in 2005. Cristina joined the Frente Indígena de Organizaciones Binacionales (FIOB) after learning about the organization and its support of the APPO (Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca) in the 2006 conflict in Oaxaca. Cristina serves as the Coordinator of the Los Angeles FIOB Committee, and is on the Board of Directors of the Binational Center for the Development of Indigenous Oaxacans (CBDIO) a non-profit organization created by the FIOB in 1993.

The FIOB is a community-based organization and a coalition of indigenous organizations, communities, and individuals settled in Oaxaca and Baja California in Mexico and in the State of California in the United States. FIOB works to promote leadership development and self-determination in indigenous migrant and non-migrant communities, and to defend the human rights of these communities with justice and gender equity.

For more information contact Ted Richardson at trichard@willamette.edu

President Obama signs Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:18:51 PDT

Today President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law making it a federal crime to assault an individual based on a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or disability. The legislation also strengthens existing hate crimes protections for a variety of other categories, including race, color, religion, ethnicity and national origin.

The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is the first time in history gender identity will receive positive protection in federal law

The expanded hate crimes prevention act is named after Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped and severely beaten and James Byrd Jr., an African-American man dragged to death in Texas. Both brutal murders occurred in October 1998.

Organized Labor Report Lays Groundwork For Comprehensive Immigration Reform

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:07:30 PDT

This press release comes from our allies at the National Immigration Forum. The National Immigration Forum is the leading immigrant advocacy organization in the country with a mission to advocate for the value of immigrants and immigration to the nation.

For Immediate Release
October 27, 2009

Contact:
Katherine Vargas (kvargas@immigrationforum.org)
(202) 383-5987 or (202) 641-51988 (mobile)

ORGANIZED LABOR REPORT LAYS GROUNDWORK FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

Washington, DC - Today, the AFL-CIO, American Rights at Work and the National Employment Law Project released a report on how harsh immigration enforcement has "severely interfered with the protection of workers' rights, to the detriment of immigrant and native-born workers alike." The following is a statement by Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum, a non-partisan, non-profit pro-immigrant advocacy organization in Washington.

Our deficient immigration system has created an uneven playing field that allows unscrupulous employers to exploit and intimidate immigrant workers and which undermines labor protections and wages, thus eroding workplace conditions for every worker.

Today's report raises the voices of organized labor - the authentic voice of working class Americans - and their support for robust regulation of labor laws and enforceable immigration laws. The labor movement realizes, as immigration reform advocates do, that improved wage and hour enforcement helps good employers and workers alike.

As long as we have 5.4% of the American workforce outside of the system and not protected by basic labor laws, good employers and American workers will continue to be out-hustled by unscrupulous employers that take advantage of our broken immigration laws.

We need comprehensive reform of our immigration system to ensure a legal workforce, protect all workers and restore fairness to the labor market.

Check out our October 2009 Quarterly e-Newsletter

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:54:58 PDT

CAUSA's new Online Quarterly Newsletter is out now in email boxes everywhere. We have eliminated our snail mail version to save on trees and costs. Link here to read our web version.

If you do not get our newsletter, e-Blasts or news alerts in your email, sign-up by linking here to start recieving them.

Dolores Huerta to speak tonight at Willamette University

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:46:14 PDT

Tonight the Annual Salem Peace Lecture will celebrate its 20th year with organizer Dolores Huerta, co-founder and first Vice-President of the United Farm Workers of America, speaking on Immigration Reform and Farm Worker Justice. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Reverend Gail McDougle, Pastor of Salem's First Congregational Church UCC, will be Honored with the 2009 Salem Peacemaker Award.

Wednesday, October 21st at 7:30 p.m.
The Annual Salem Peace Lecture Presents:
Dolores Huerta: Speaking on Immigration Reform and Farmworker Justice

Location: Hudson Hall in the Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center at Willamette University, Salem, Oregon Directions

Dolores Huerta was co-founder and first Vice-President of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). In 1962 she and Cesar Chavez formed the National Farm Workers Association, the predecessor to the UFW. She directed the UFW's national grape boycott, resulting in the entire California table grape industry signing a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the UFW.

Ms. Huerta spoke out early and often against toxic pesticides, like DDT and parathion, that threaten farm workers, consumers and the environment. She lobbied in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., organized field strikes, directed UFW boycotts, and became one of the UFW's most visible spokespersons. Robert F. Kennedy acknowledged her help in winning the 1968 California Democratic Presidential Primary moments before he was shot in Los Angeles.

Ms. Huerta directed the east coast boycott of grapes, lettuce and Gallo wines. The boycott resulted in the enactment of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the first law of its kind in the United States, granting farm workers the right to collectively organize and bargain for better wages and working conditions. In 1975 she lobbied against federal guest worker programs and spearheaded legislation granting amnesty for farm workers that had lived, worked and paid taxes in the United States for many years. Her efforts were instrumental in passing the Immigration Act of 1985.

Dolores Huerta has received many awards, including three honorary doctorate degrees. In 1984 the California State Senate bestowed upon her the Outstanding Labor Leader Award. In 1993 she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. That same year she received the American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU) Roger Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award, the Eugene Debs Foundation's Outstanding American Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom Award. In 1998 she was named one of three Ms. Magazine's "Women of the Year" and was honored among the Ladies Home Journal's "100 Most Important Women of the 20th Century."

Ms. Huerta continues to work long hours on behalf of the rights of farm workers, immigrants and women, and she serves as president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. She has been arrested 22 times for nonviolent, peaceful protests.

Each year the Peace Lecture Committee recognizes a local advocate for peace and justice. This year we are pleased to honor Gail McDougle, pastor of First Congregational Church UCC, with the 2009 Salem Peacemaker Award.

For more information, contact Bethany Loberg at 503-910-6832 or bethany@causaoregon.org

Bill passes eliminating two year wait penalty for widows of U.S. Citizens

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:12:10 PDT

Today Congress passed a bill that ends what has become known as the “widow penalty”. It required a U.S. citizen to be married at least two years to their foreign spouse before the foreign spouse could receive legal residency.

According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, the elimination of the two-year marriage requirement permits widows and widowers of U.S. citizens to apply for a green card for themselves and on behalf of their children born abroad.

Under the 71 year-old law, it is believed that thousands have been deported. The article points out that there are currently about 200 spouses trying to stave off deportation.

The passage of the bill, according to an attorney who has been helping victims of the 71 year old law, changes the widows' situation from “being in the shadows and fearing a knock on the door by an immigration agent to leading productive lives with their families”.

CAUSA interviewed by Basque language newspaper, Berria

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:14:48 PDT

Last week, Francisco Lopez, CAUSA's Executive Director was interviewed by Berria, the only Basque language newspaper which can be read in the entirety of the Basque country. Berria is published in Andoain, Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous Basque region, Euskadi, in northern Spain.

Lopez was interviewed about CAUSA's involvement in the national Comprehensive Immigration Reform campaign. (See the full newpaper section by clicking the image below)

The article can be found by linking here.

Also featured in Berria was an interview with Romeo Sosa of Portland Voz about the Day Labor Center in Portland. That article can be found by linking here (page 1) and here (page 2).

Week of Events Reenergizes Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:49:32 PDT

For Immediate Release
October 16, 2009

Contact:
Shu Ohno, Reform Immigration FOR America
(202) 383-5983 or (202) 309-5645 mobile

From Sea to Shining Sea: Week of Events Reenergizes Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Reform Immigration FOR Families: Family Unity Cannot Wait Events across the country unite families, clergy, veterans, and Members of Congress

Washington, DC - On Thursday night, October 15, a candle-light procession and vigil brought together over a thousand people from states up and down the west coast in Santa Clara, California. This event capped a week of vigils, processions, rallies, meetings, actions, and events in towns and cities across the country that renewed and reenergized the push for immigration reform in Washington DC.

The week began with events in places as far apart as El Paso, TX and Milwaukee, WI. In Grand Rapids and Detroit, MI, several hundred well-wishers rallied to offer support to over 160 faith leaders and families who boarded buses to travel to Washington, DC. Similar events took place in Philadelphia, Miami, West Palm Beach, Chicago, Greenville (NC), Richmond, Cleveland and Minneapolis. [For a list of events and contacts: http://tinyurl.com/national-events-updated-0ct-12]

On Tuesday, October 13, immigrant families gathered from around the country to join in a vigil and rally in front of the U.S. Capitol where Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) and other elected officials launched a new push for comprehensive immigration reform in response to a fierce urgency displayed by immigrant and Latino voters. [Photographs from the event: http://tinyurl.com/oct-13th-photos]

Under the banner of 'Reform Immigration FOR Families: Family Unity Cannot Wait,' more than 750 people traveled to Washington on buses from up and down the Eastern seaboard and as far away as Texas, Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, and Michigan. They spent Tuesday morning meeting with Congressional offices before being joined by thousands of people from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area who gathered on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in the afternoon to listen to testimonies from families, veterans, and children who face family disintegration because of immigration laws and deportation. The event was led by clergy, local media celebrities, and immigrant community leaders and was sponsored by the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign, the National Capital Immigration Coalition, and Families United/Familias Unidas.

The lawmakers who joined Representative Gutierrez on stage included Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chairman Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Congressional Black Caucus Member Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Delegate Gregorio Sablan (Mariana Islands).

Rep. Gutierrez, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force, helped organize the Families United/Familias Unidas tour earlier this year, a series of vigils and community gatherings to highlight how families are affected by U.S. immigration laws. The bill Rep. Gutierrez is preparing will be designed to address the problems faced by families attending today's event in Washington. [Principles outlined by Congressman Gutierrez: http://luisgutierrez.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1399]

QUOTES FROM FAMILIES, LEADERS, AND SPEAKERS FROM THE WEEK'S EVENTS:

"We need a bill that says if you come here to hurt our communities, we will not support you; but if you are here to work hard and to make a better life for your family, you will have the opportunity to earn your citizenship. We need a law that says it is un-American for a mother to be torn from her child, and it is unacceptable to undermine our workforce by driving the most vulnerable among us further into the shadows."

Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL), Chair of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
"We have a broken immigration system that is taking a toll on our families, communities and congregations. Faith and fundamental principles of justice call upon all of us to respond. From communities across the country, we call upon President Obama and congressional leaders to lead this country to comprehensive immigration reform."

Most Reverend Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Bishop of the Phoenix Episcopal Area, Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church Representative
"Immigrant communities have heard the promises and the campaign speeches, but now we want action to go with the words. Representative Gutierrez and the other Members of Congress who are standing up with him get it. The community will support those who support us as we seek our piece of the American Dream. We are here to help make that dream a reality."

Gustavo Torres, Executive Director, CASA de Maryland, Inc.
"Immigration reform is too often discounted as just another political issue by some in Washington, but to immigrants and millions more who share this country with them, it a deeply personal issue of keeping families together. Congress must respond in a manner that holds true to our values as a nation. Today, several important Members of Congress have laid down a path toward getting this done. Expectations that President Obama and Congress will fix what is broken about our current immigration system run high and time is ticking until the next election. Congressional leaders who step up and craft bills to move us forward understand the urgency for action and the need to uncork the gridlock that has prevented progress for years.

Ali Noorani, Executive Director, National Immigration Forum, one of the groups leading the Reform Immigration FOR America campaign
"The immigration system needs to be changed so that other families never go through what I am going through. My husband's wishes of having our child raised in the U.S. are being denied by a broken system. The pain I have been going through is no way to honor my husband for all he did for his country."

Hotaru Ferschke (joined by mother-in-law Robin Ferschke and son Mikey at the event) of Maryville, Tennessee, was born in Japan and married U.S. Marine Michael Ferschke who was killed in Iraq one month before the arrival their son Mikey. She is not allowed to stay in the U.S. because of a technicality: their marriage was not "consummated" in the eyes of the U.S. immigration law after their ceremony.

# # #

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN: The Reform Immigration FOR America campaign is a coalition of more than 600 faith, labor, business, progressive, and immigration reform groups that have joined together to get comprehensive immigration reform passed. For more information please visit www.reformimmigrationforamerica.org or www.reformamigratoriaproamerica.org

CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is a member of the Reform Immigration For America coalition and is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

Live updates from the Family Unity Press Conference and Rally in California

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:48:10 PDT

Today members of CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, OneAmerica, NWFCO, ICAN, WCAN, and ROP have joined up with immigration reform advocates from California and around the nation for a press conference

The Pacific Northwest organizations along with more than one thousand other advocates and organizations from around the nation will converge on Santa Clara University this afternoon where Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is expected to speak. Those in attendance will call on the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress to stop deporting families and keep their promise and pass immigration reform.

We will be giving you updates complete photos on the day's activities at CAUSA's Twitter page. To receive these updates, point your browser to: http://twitter.com/CAUSAOregon

UPDATES:
10/15/09

11:00am Press Conference in L.A. Get the latest photos @ http://twitter.com/CAUSAOregon

2:00pm Making signs for the March & Rally @ Santa Clara University http://twitpic.com/lnsxu.

3:00pm Lunch time! http://twitpic.com/lnuog.

4:30pm March to Santa Clara University http://twitpic.com/load0

6:45pm Arrived @ Santa Clara University for Rally to tell Janet Napolitano, Obama Administration and Congress to stop dividing families and pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW.

7:20pm Police blocking #famunity marchers @ Rafael & Benton-won't let them enter University grounds.Sitdown happening now http://twitpic.com/lov4o

See all the photos by linking here.

Related News:
Napolitano, returning to alma mater SCU, greeted by protesters demanding immigration overhaul

Photos: Family Unity Caravan Rally in Salem

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:44:24 PDT

These photos are of the Family Unity Caravan Rally and Dinner that took place on Wednesday evening at the First Congregational Church in Salem. The Rally took place prior to the caravans departure to California. Those in attendance included members of OneAmerica, NWFCO, ICAN, WCAN, Rural Organizing Project and CAUSA.

For up-to-the-minute information and photos from the Family Unity Caravan to California visit CAUSA's Twitter page at http://twitter.com/CAUSAOregon

Press Conference to Kick-off Oregon Leg of Immigration Reform Caravan Today

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:13:06 PDT

MEDIA ADVISORY
October 14, 2009

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director, 503.269.5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director, 503.488.0263

Press Conference to Kick-off Oregon Leg of Immigration Reform Caravan Today

Caravan to call on President Obama and Democratic Congress: Keep your PROMISE and pass immigration reform now

Salem, Ore.—Today, members of CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition, will join with immigration reform advocates from California, Idaho and Washington State in a caravan that will go to California.

The caravan will join with more than one thousand other advocates from around the nation on Thursday at Santa Clara University where Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is expected to speak. Those in attendance will call on the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress to stop deporting families and keep their promise and pass immigration reform.

Prior to the departure from Salem today, CAUSA will hold a joint press conference at 4:00 p.m. with a dinner to follow at 5:00 p.m. Pastor Gail McDougal of the First Congregational Church in Salem will be present to give a blessing to all those departing on the journey. All immigrant rights supporters and the media are invited to attend.

STOP DEPORTING OUR FAMILIES: IMMIGRATION REFORM CAN'T WAIT!
Caravan Send-off, Press Conference & Dinner
October 14, 2009 at 4:00pm
CAUSA Headquarters
700 Marion Street NE
Salem, Oregon

The action is being organized by members of Silicon Valley Alliance for Immigration Reform, CHIRLA, OneAmerica, NWFCO, ICAN, WCAN, CAUSA and the Reform Immigration for America Campaign.

# # #

CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies.

Portland City Commissioners to introduce DREAM Act Resolution

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:37:05 PDT

Today Portland City Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda Fritz will introduce a resolution calling on their fellow colleagues to support the federal DREAM Act. Resolution 1434 will be introduced during the regular agenda of today's Portland City Council meeting starting at 9:30am this morning.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is bipartisan legislation that addresses the situation faced by young people who were brought to the United States years ago as undocumented immigrant children and who have since grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble.

CAUSA applauds these two commissioners for introducing the resolution. A copy of Resolution 1434 can be viewed below or by linking here

CNN gets called out for hypocrisy and Lou Dobbs

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:21:13 PDT

In just a week, CNN will launch its “Latino in America” series, which tells the stories of Latinos from across the country.

Apparently, Lou Dobbs will be absent from the coverage. This has many surprised. Four hours about the Latino experience in America, and not a word about the man who spends every weeknight telling lies about immigrants, and spreading hatred and fear about Latinos.

Presente.org has joined forces with award-winning filmmaker Arturo Perez to call out CNN's hypocrisy with a powerful new video: “CNN: Lou Dobbs or Latinos in America?”

The coalition of individuals and over 40 community organizations are trying to gather as many signatures as they can before “Latino in America” airs on Oct. 21-22. For more information about the campaign, visit http://bastadobbs.com/ .

Mayor says Immigrants are New York City’s economic engine

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:53:10 PDT

Last week during a speech at CUNY Graduate Center, New York City Mayor Bloomberg said that New York needs more immigrants.

“Immigrants are why New York City became America’s economic engine. In these tough times our city needs more immigrants, not fewer.”

In his bid for re-election Bloomberg outlined four priorities that he would implement in the next four years. According to the Epoch Times, the plan will maximize economic contributions of immigrants, help immigrant children achieve, integrate immigrants into neighborhoods and civic life, and protect immigrants from exploitation.

For more on Bloomberg’s plan to support immigrants in New York City, see his office’s piece titled “Immigrants: The Lifeblood of New York City” by linking here.

Oregon Immigrant Rights Coalition to join multi-state caravan to California

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:00:03 PDT

MEDIA ADVISORY
October 9, 2009

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director, 503.269.5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director, 503.488.0263

Oregon Immigrant Rights Coalition to join multi-state caravan to California

Caravan to call on President Obama and Democratic Congress: Keep your PROMISE and pass immigration reform now
Salem, Ore.--Next Wednesday, members of CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, will join with immigration reform advocates from California, Idaho and Washington State in a caravan that will go to California.

The caravan will join with more than one thousand other advocates from around the nation on October 15th at Santa Clara University where Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is expected to speak. Those in attendance will call on the Obama Administration and the Democratic Congress to stop deporting families and keep their promise and pass immigration reform.

Prior to the departure from Salem, CAUSA will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. with a dinner to follow at 5:00 p.m. Pastor Gail McDougal of the First Congregational Church in Salem will be present to give a blessing to all those departing on the journey. All immigrant rights supporters and the media are invited to attend.

STOP DEPORTING OUR FAMILIES: IMMIGRATION REFORM CAN'T WAIT!
Caravan Send-off, Press Conference & Dinner
October 14, 2009 at 4:00pm
CAUSA Headquarters
700 Marion Street NE
Salem, Oregon

The action is being organized by members of Silicon Valley Alliance for Immigration Reform, CHIRLA, OneAmerica, NWFCO, ICAN, WCAN, CAUSA and the Reform Immigration for America Campaign.

# # #

CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies.

EVENT: Multi-state Caravan Press Conference, Dinner and Send-off

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:42:57 PDT

Next Wednesday, members of CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, will join with immigration reform advocates from California, Idaho and Washington State in a caravan that will go to California.

Prior to the departure from Salem, CAUSA will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. with a dinner to follow at 5:00 p.m. Pastor Gail McDougal of the First Congregational Church in Salem will be present to give a blessing to all those departing on the journey. All immigrant rights supporters and the media are invited to attend.

For more information, link to our press advisory here.

Faith leaders to discuss Immigration Reform with Senators Today

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:53:11 PDT

Today at noon (3:00 pm EST), the Senate Immigration Subcommittee will convene a hearing with leaders from the faith community to discuss faith-based perspectives in Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

While national faith leaders speak at the hearing about why immigration reform is important to them, we are asking you to call their Senators to tell them why it is important to you.

Please call your Senators today and ask them to pass fair and humane immigration reform as quickly as possible. Here are the numbers to call:

English: 877-560-4055
Español: 877-267-5060

When you dial the number, you’ll hear a short script (in either English or Spanish, depending on which number you dial) to prepare you for speaking with your Senator’s office. You will then hear the name of the Senator’s office to whom you will be connected, and then the system will put your call through the Senator’s office.

For more information and to watch the “Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Faith-Based Perspectives” hearing on-line, follow this link: http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=4108 .

Celebrating the life, work and vision of Cipriano Ferrel

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:07:52 PDT

Today is the 60th anniversary of Cipriano Ferrel's birth. Cipriano Ferrel was a Willamette Valley community organizer who dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of migrants and farm laborers.

Cipriano worked with César Chávez and the United Farmworkers Union (UFW) in California, attended Colegio César Chávez in Mt. Angel, and was a co-founder of the Willamette Valley Immigration Project (WVIP) in 1977 and Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) in 1985.

Cipriano also co-founded the Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (FHDC) in 1990 and developed the community organizing program at Nuevo Amanecer, FHDC's first housing complex in Woodburn.

Since his sudden death in September 1995, our movement continues to celebrate Cipriano's life and vision. Employing his strategies for movement-building has led to incredible growth. Since Cipranos passing, the number of organizations has grown from three to nine sister organizations and staff has more than tripled in size.

CAUSA joins with our sister organizations in honoring the life, work and vision of Cipriano Ferrel.

A gathering will take place this evening at 6:00pm at FHDC (1274 5th Street, Suite 1-A, Woodburn, OR 97071) to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Cipriano’s birth. For more information, please call 503-981-1618.

Cipriano Ferrel, ¡Presente!

"La lucha es una chinga pero nosotros somos bien chingones"
-Cipriano Ferrel

U.N. Report finds Migrants Give More than They Take

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:22:01 PDT

Yesterday a report was released by the United Nations about migrants. The conclusion: Migrant workers benefit both the countries they move to and the ones they leave behind.

According to an article by IPS Global News Agency, a report out from the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) said that perceived negative burden of migrants on host societies does not correspond to reality and that concerns are often exaggerated by politicians. Negative effects, the report says, "are generally small and may, in some contexts, be entirely absent".

Among other things, the UNDP also found that low as well as high-skilled migrants make a positive contribution to the host country's economy and often become the main investors in their countries of origin, even when it is hit by financial crisis or natural disaster. This, they say, forms a development buffer that protects national economies.

To read the full article on the report, visit Common Dreams by linking here.

Calls still needed to ensure immigrants have access to health care

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:40:04 PDT

Today, the Senate Finance Committee is still considering amendments to the healthcare reform bill several of which have measures restricting immigrants’ access to healthcare.

We need to continue making calls to let Senators know they cannot keep playing politics and scapegoating immigrants.

Call the Senate switchboard now:

English Switchboard: 1-866-974-8813
Spanish Switchboard: 1-866-584-3909

TELL THEM:
Immigrants must have access to affordable health care. They work and pay taxes and are raising families; they should not be barred from accessing the health care exchange by waiting periods or other obstacles.

New verification requirements will hurt U.S. citizens and immigrants alike and are costly, unnecessary and burdensome. Undocumented immigrants are already barred from health care and Medicaid subsidies. Oppose new onerous verification measures!

MEMBERS OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO CALL:

DEMOCRATS
Chairman MAX BAUCUS, Montana
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West Virginia
KENT CONRAD, North Dakota
JEFF BINGAMAN, New Mexico
JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, Arkansas
RON WYDEN, Oregon
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, New York
DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
BILL NELSON, Florida
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
THOMAS CARPER, Delaware

REPUBLICANS:
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine

Forum to discuss agricultural labor and comprehensive immigration reform set for Oct 3rd

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:18:05 PDT

The Oregon Farm Worker Ministry will host a community forum to discuss Agricultural Labor and Comprehensive Immigration Reform on October 3rd from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Christ's Church (412 W. Clay Street) in Monmouth.

Speakers to include John Munson, Executive Director of Oregon Farm Worker Ministry (OFWM), Edith Polanco and Robin Wright from CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition and Jamie Arredondo of Farm Worker Housing Development Corporation (FHDC).

The free forum will include question and answer session.

For information, contact Ed Brandt at (503) 623-5153.

Pew Hispanic Center Releases Study on Health Insurance and Hispanic Immigrants

causaoregon@gmail.com (CAUSA Communications) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:16:36 PDT

According to a release from the Pew Hispanic Center posted on Capitol Wire PR,

Six-in-ten Hispanic adults in the U.S. who are neither citizens nor legal permanent residents* lack health insurance. In contrast, 28% of Hispanic adults who are citizens or legal permanent residents and 17% of the overall U.S. adult population lack health insurance.

Read the full release with links to the research by going here.