6:30pm
Armory Park Community Center

220 S. 5th Avenue

Photo by Murphy Woodhouse

A new academic study has analyzed the experiences of deportees all along the U.S. Mexico border. Please come to the presentation of a new report entitled “In the Shadow of the Wall” where we will discuss how Border Patrol and ICE operate, the conditions and impacts of specific enforcement programs and how this enforcement is tearing apart families and failing to accomplish any stated objectives.

Please bring a dish to share

For more information: 520.770.1373

Action Alert! 

Demand the Prosecution of the Border Patrol Agent that Murdered Carlos Lamadrid!

SENATE’S “GANG OF 8” REFORM BILL:
ENORMOUS EXPENDITURE FOR WALLS, DRONES, SURVEILLANCE, AGENTS, NATIONAL ID SYSTEM, GUARANTEES FOR BIG BUSINESS, MASS FIRINGS, INCREASES IN DEPORTATIONS AND CRIMINALIZATION, LIMITATIONS ON FAMILY IMMIGRATION, AND VERY LITTLE LEGALIZATION FOR WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Tucson – After decades of working and suffering attacks on their humanity, an estimated 11 million undocumented workers and their families were optimistic after the results of last year’s election, that the Senate’s eight-member group, tasked with the drafting of a bill to deal with the regularization of their status, would finally fix the irresponsible immigration system. It has instead opted for an unprecedented expansion of policing and military-style border and interior build-up.  The purported “path to citizenship” is a cruel misrepresentation that has brought out both the anti-immigrant voices to cry out that 11 million “should not receive citizenship,” and, the immigrant community to believe that a fair process for their legalization will be put in place.  Neither is a reality.

The bill makes it clear that only a relatively few will be able to qualify for and receive the six-year temporary worker permit, known as “Registered Provisional Immigrant” (RPI) as the requirements are unreasonable and intended to severely limit those who can proceed in this temporary status, renewable at additional costs for another six years, before even being able to apply for Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status. While deportations continue, this process cannot even begin until the “border security” triggers are met.  Essentially, the normal legalization process BEGINS after ten years of RPI status, and ONLY if the person is able to pay substantial fees, fines and other costs related to the process,  prove what he or she earned and what taxes you have paid, and pay any back taxes, among other requirements.  After three years of LPR status, and the paying of additional fees, fines, and other costs, those individuals can apply for citizenship – in other words, 13 years from date of receiving the RPI status, and even that is after a minimum of a five year process to build more fences and meet ambiguous “proof” that the border is secure. The only groups that are receiving more favorable relief are the DREAM Act youth and those in the Agricultural Program.  The text devoted to “citizenship” is the smallest relevant portion of this legislation, and yet, this is called a “Path to Citizenship” bill by media and the politicians alike.

The most significant part of this proposed legislation, however, is the dramatic escalation of a “war zone” environment , particularly along the border regions,  which comes at an obscene expense to the taxpayers, (an additional $5.5 billion to the $18 billion spent last year), and will cause even heavier costs:  to the human and civil rights of immigrants, border residents, and entire communities who suffer the consequences of separation of their families and friends, as well as living with the heavy “policing” of our communities, particularly with measures that consolidate the collaboration of all local law enforcement with the BP and ICE; the economic devastation of cities and towns; the environmental destruction of our precious border lands; the prosecution, conviction, and incarceration of hundreds of thousands of migrants for the crime of “unlawful entry,” again, at a tremendous human and financial cost.  All this will provide a huge profit for Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), which stands to at least triple its annual profit if this bill becomes law, and for other prison/military corporate contractors as well, many of whom already benefit from “no-bid” contracts.  The requirement of 100% surveillance along the border, together with the use of the National Guard, the building of more walls, the use of unmanned drones, and other military-type strategies called for in the bill show their intention to make our communities live in a militarized, war-like zone.

A vast majority of the public has historically fought against the creation of a National ID, realizing the critical importance of our civil liberties and rights to privacy are fundamental to our personal sense of freedom.  The bill proposed by the Senators mandates employer verification of a worker’s immigration status, through the creation of a national E-Verify system, is a direct road to a National ID.  Non-citizens will be required to show their “biometric work authorization card” or their “biometric green card.”  Most pernicious is the requirement that states be pushed to include ALL of their state driver’s license information, including photographs, in E-Verify.  This merger would create a giant photo database of everyone in the country – citizen and non-citizen alike — which could potentially be accessed anywhere by internet.  The possibilities of uses in other scenarios are numerous and dangerous.

As we tout the importance of family, this bill changes this priority by removing two preference categories from the family-based immigration process, brothers and sisters of U. S. citizens, and married sons and daughters of citizens if over 30 years of age, as well as creating “merit” based visas and repealing the Diversity Visa Program, an important avenue for African and Caribbean immigrants.  Importantly, the bill provides no avenue for LBGTQ families to reunite.

Lastly, the Senators propose an expansion and streamlining of H-1B visas, and creation of a new visa, the W-Visa, for “lower-skilled” worker, assuring private industry of new laborers, while ignoring the very core of the issue of immigration –the reasons for migration and particularly the role US foreign political and economic policies play in those sending countries migration patterns. Without this aspect, the word ‘comprehensive’ is meaningless when used to describe immigration reform.

The undocumented community has worked, has suffered, and has enriched all of our lives.  It is time we as a nation do what is right, “pay our debt” to our immigrant brothers and sisters by passing real reform of our laws that reflect the reality, that respect each other and other nations, that address the root causes of migration, and that finally de-militarize our borders and communities so that we may all live and work together in peace.

Our statement is based on reading several congressional staff summaries provided to media and others. We will continue to analyze the bill to understand more fully all its provisions.

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Download the statement here

Dear friends and supporters,

Mil Gracias! We called on you-friends, allies, and our community, and YOU answered.

In February, due to our dire financial straits, we wrote to you, letting you know that unless we raised $7,000 by the end of February, we would have to lay off our staff and possibly close our doors.

We are happy to report that the response to our appeal far exceeded our dreams! We received over $25,000. These contributions have put us on firm financial footing for the short term, and we plan to use this gift of time to work on a longer-term solution to our financial needs.

Derechos Humanos does a lot in and for the community on a very small budget. Your affirmation of support for our work to defend migrant justice and the dignity of all our neighbors gives us the courage to continue to serve our community without compromise.

We pledge to continue to earn the support you, and many like you, showed us in our time of need. As a grassroots group that relies primarily on individual tax-deductible donations, we will need your help on a continuing basis.

Again, thank you for your solidarity. If you did not have the opportunity to make a donation in February, it is not too late. You can still send a check to: P.O. Box 1286, Tucson, Arizona or make an online donation at our website: www.derechoshumanosaz.net.

As always, we welcome you at our Thursday community meetings, where for more than twenty years we have met to discuss the work that is vital to promoting peace and social justice in our community.

On behalf of the Derechos Humanos family,

Isabel and Lupe

Autonomy Movement in Chiapas

This past December and January, Pan Left video producer Jason Aragón visited Chiapas, Mexico with muralist and print maker Santiago “Mazatl” Armengod from Just Seeds artist cooperative. This journey was in an effort to document and experience Santiago’s work and become introduced to communities in the fight for autonomy and justice.

It was at this critical time that new energy and attention was being focused toward indigenous groups in this area.  Many inspiring events were happening while Aragón and Armengod were there. Most notable was the event of Zapatistas that took over cities in Chiapas on December 21, 2012 in a silent mobilization and made new headlines across the world.

Join us to see video and listen to the experiences from Jason that show how making art and self-determination in communities are intertwined in a place that is keeping true to the principles of Tierra y Libertad, Land and Freedom.

For more information: 520.770.1373

On the second anniversary of the murder of Carlos Reynaldo Lamadrid Guerrero by U.S. Border Patrol, we march with his family and friends. We continue to demand justice and accountability.

Please wear white!

Dear Immigrant Justice Supporter,

Coalición de Derechos Humanos is nearly out of money.

We must raise $7,000 by the end of February. Unless you, and others like you in the community, can give generously within the next two weeks, Derechos Humanos will have to face a massive layoff of staff and close its doors.

Can you please give a tax-deductible donation today to help this organization, which is so vital to our community, weather this financial crisis?

If Derechos Humanos is forced to close its doors, it will leave a huge hole in our community.

• Who will be there for worried families of migrants missing while crossing the desert or those who were taken by ICE?
• Who will help workers that have been cheated out of their rightful pay or families who are suffering under unscrupulous slum lords?
• Who will help eligible residents achieve U.S. citizenship?
• Who will stand up for the rights of all migrants, everywhere, without exception?

The sad answer is that no one will. Although there are a number of fine immigrant advocacy and service groups in Tucson, everyone is already stretched to the limit. None of them are able to take on the tasks that Derechos Humanos has fulfilled so capably for so many years.

Your help is needed right now, today. This is an emergency that can’t wait.

At a time when Comprehensive Immigration Reform is on the public agenda, it is imperative that we have a strong, healthy Coalición de Derechos Humanos. Arizona, Washington, DC, and the nation needs to hear NOW that immigration reform starts from a human rights perspective. They must hear NOW about human migration, and how NAFTA trade policy and drug violence, fueled by US demand, drive immigration. No one else so strongly challenges the militarization of our border and the policies that have killed hundreds of men, women and children in our scorching desert.

Derechos Humanos has historically been there for you, our community, since 1993. Now, Derechos Humanos needs You. Please make a tax-deductible donation today. Please dig a little deeper than you ordinarily would. You can donate online by credit card by going to http://www.derechoshumanosaz.net/join-the-struggle-to-defend-and-promote-human-rights-on-the-border/ and clicking on the “Donate Here” button. We also offer the convenience of recurring monthly donations.

Thank you in advance for helping Derechos Humanos keep our doors open. Our community will be stronger thanks to your generosity.

Community Potluck:

Painting by Numbers:
Women in AZ Detention Centers,
Bringing Statistics to Life

Friday, February 8, 2013
6:30pm
Armory Park
220 S. 5th Avenue, Tucson, AZ

An interactive mural project that addresses the issue of the detention of women by ICE
(Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in the state of Arizona. This potluck event will
showcase the project’s midpoint progress. The project’s head artist, Wesley Fawcett Creigh,
will discuss her process for researching and implementing her idea and share what she has
learned so far about the relationship between the arts and activism. The project will be
continued at various locations in the Tucson throughout 2013

To learn more about the project and find out when you can participate visit:

http://paintingbynumbersproject.wordpress.com

$5.00 suggested donation.
Please bring a dish to share

For more information: 520.770.1373

As 2012 comes to a close, the staff and members of the Derechos Humanos family would like to take a moment to thank you for your support this past year, and to invite you to be part of the exciting work we have planned for 2013. We realize that our world is rapidly changing. With conditions worsening for families, millions of people across the world, the country, and in our own community, are courageously lifting their voices to challenge injustice.   We feel very blessed to be part of this resistance, and are committed to continue our work for peace and justice for all.

More than ever, we ask for your generous donation so that we can continue our groundbreaking and principled human rights work on the southern border.

With your generous support, Derechos Humanos has been able to make progress in our human rights agenda. We are confident that with allies such as you, we can advance our vision for peace along the border and a true reform to our immigration laws that address the causes of migration and reflect an appreciation of our migrant brothers and sisters.

We need your support to continue our work! 2013 promises to be a critical year, with economic insecurities and a renewed discussion around immigration reform bringing challenges to us all.

Please send your tax-deductible donation of $25, $50, $100, or more if you can today so that we can continue our work to defend human rights on the Arizona border. We need your support!

En solidaridad,

Coalición de Derechos Humanos

p.s. Derechos Humanos staff and volunteers meet every Thursday at 5:30pm at Sam Lena Library (1607 S. 6th Avenue) in South Tucson. We’d love to have you join us. At these meeting we decide what work we will do and who will do it. We can always use more volunteers!

p.p.s.  We now offer the convenience of monthly recurring donations– see below for more information!

We need your support!  Your generous donation goes toward our work to create change and promote justice, challenging the borders that seek to divide us.

Contributions make the work we do-”Know Your Rights” trainings and presentations, our Promotoras de Derechos Humanos Program (human rights promoters), community trainings, educational events and actions, documenting the deaths on the border, and assisting with missing migrant reports- possible.

We now offer the option of a convenient recurring monthly donation- just choose the amount you wish to donate, and you’re ready to go! Your recurring donation will help us work toward our goal of sustainability, and provides much needed support!

Click here to make a one time or recurring donation.

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