Morgan Carroll: A Xenophobe in sheep’s clothing

When is a progressive not a progressive? When she pulls crap like Morgan Carroll did yesterday at the Colorado Senate by killing SB170, also known as the tuition equity bill.

I attended her early-morning town hall yesterday, when she told the assembled crowd that she was voting no because she was “certain” that federal immigration law would override any law that Colorado passes to confer “benefits” to undocumented residents. So that was reason one.

Senator Jennifer Viega argued over and over on the Senate floor yesterday that Senator Carroll’s reason for her no vote was completely unfounded. Ten of the eleven federal court challenges to state laws offering similar “benefits” to undocumented youth have been thrown out of court, and the eleventh is pending in California. And yet, even though her weak reason for the no vote was thrown out handily by Sen. Viega, she still voted no.

Fast forward to today, on her blog. Today’s reason for voting no is now because she feels it would be unfair in the current economic climate with the current budget shortfall.  Here again, she is lying.  She is making it sound as if the legislation would have given money to undocumented students for school, when she knows  that this is not true.

I have to give her blog team props for actually posting my comment, which was:

Let’s be clear, folks. This bill was a net ZERO financial commitment for the state. It would have cost the taxpayers NOTHING.

Second, Sen. Carroll’s reason for not supporting the bill yesterday was that there was federal law that would override the state law. However, Jennifer Viega stated over and over that this was a false premise; that in every case except one, the federal action was overturned in court. The one that hasn’t is still pending.

Sen. Carroll’s reason for not supporting this, therefore, is false. She knows it. The reason she states on this page is not the reason she stated in her town hall yesterday. Which one is it, Senator?

A progressive that cannot understand basic justice and votes with xenophobic right-wingers is no progressive. If you cannot understand how this situation is just like women who cannot vote through no fault of their own, or people of color who are blocked from voting through no fault of their own, then you really are a bigot at heart.

You have a chance to make this up in your heavily Hispanic district, Senator. It will be back next year. Your ambitions for Attorney General will be fruitless if you cannot see basic justice.

As of right now, Hispanics are mobilizing, and Chris Romer has vowed to fight another day.  We will definitely see similar legislation back in next year’s session.  Anyone who is truly a progressive needs to keep a long memory of this bigoted action and vote accordingly.  The Hispanics of this state vow to help you remember.  As my home boy Rodolfo Martinez says, “despair is not an option.”

It’s on!

Are We Doomed to Repeat History?

One of the most disturbing realities of today’s struggle for comprehensive immigration reform is the lack of support that comes from native-born Hispanics here in the United States. I have heard some of the most racist, anti-immigrant vitriol coming out of the mouths of people who are just as dark-skinned as the very migrant workers they villify. I often scratch my head about this.

I used to think that this behavior was a way to forget the racism we native-borns have felt here, to distance ourselves from being relegated to second-class status. I have heard so many stories from older folk from Colorado’s San Luis Valley about how their troubles in the school yard, when they would be punished if they let some of their household’s Spanish slip. It always seemed to me that we were trying hard to put our painful past behind us, using the newer Hispanic immigrants as the objects of scorn, as a way to leapfrog away from our pain.

But you know what I think it really is? While I think leapfrogging has something to do with it, I also thing that this is related to the fact that our education flat-out stinks.

Case in point: I just finished watching PBS’ production of American Experience: A Class Apart, a show about the landmark Hernandez v. State of Texas case in the 1950s, that declared that Mexican-Americans were a protected group under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Now, let me ask you. How many of you knew about this? Now, I was a great student in school, but NO ONE ever taught us about this landmark ruling that made life completely different for our people. I can imagine that today’s kids are not learning about this either, since CSAP is really the name of the game.

The philosopher George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

It’s my job as your sister in the journey to give you a link to this program’s page on the PBS website. Watch, learn, read…and teach your children. Maybe by remembering our past we can be better allies to our brothers and sisters that are here now, that need our support. See if you hear anything familiar to the conversation about immigrants we hear today.

Let’s not so easily forget our past.  Click here to watch the episode online, then come back and tell me what you think.

Chris Romer lays down the facts about Tuition Equity

Honestly, I think that if any Coloradan still has opposition to the Tuition Equity bill after reading Chris Romer’s note dispelling myths about it (below), then they should resign themselves to the fact that they’re a racist.

No.  Seriously. The only reasons to oppose this now are centered around the national origin of the people that this bill would benefit.  Ergo, racism.

Here’s what he says:

The Facts About Tuition Equity – In-State Tuition for Colorado Students

Dear Friend,

I wanted to give you on update on my tuition equity bill because there is a lot of misinformation about what SB09-170 does for our state. First and foremost, SB09-170 will not cost the state a cent. All state funding has been removed from the bill and undocumented students would not qualify for state need based financial aid or the Colorado Opportunity Fund and will pay approximately $2,500 more than legal citizens. This means the bill will actually bring in additional dollars for our higher education system.

SB09-170 clears up in-state tuition laws for all students. Children who:

• Attend a Colorado high school for at least 3 years.
• Graduate or acquire a GED from a Colorado high school.
• Enroll in a higher education institution within 12 months of graduation.
• Remain in good academic standing.
• Are competent in the English language upon graduation from high school.

would qualify for in-state tuition.

Additionally, legal residents of the United States can domicile themselves in Colorado for at least 1 year to qualify for in-state tuition. Undocumented students will not have this option.

It is estimated that about 200 to 400 undocumented students a year would qualify for SB09-170. University of Northern Colorado, Colorado Mountain College, and Mesa State College have all endorsed tuition equity because each of those schools has a very high percentage of in-state students.

Finally, these students will be required to sign an affidavit stating they will pursue citizenship upon graduation.

I have also heard many people argue the futility of educating illegal immigrants because legally, they cannot be hired by Colorado businesses. First of all, educating our residents is always beneficial to our society, regardless of employment status, and secondly, on the federal level, legislation will be introduced shortly that would remedy this concern. The DREAM Act, expected to be introduced in two weeks in Congress would grant conditional legal residency to these students, as long as they graduate from high school, are accepted by a college or the military, and stay out of trouble.

We are already funding undocumented students’ K-12 education (as federal law mandates), and we will be wasting this initial investment if we do not provide an opportunity for these students to pursue higher education and ultimately give back to the state. Undocumented students are currently ten times less likely to attend college and realizing this futility, often drop out during high school. Tuition equity is by no means a free pass to college. Instead, all SB 170 does is permit this portion of Colorado’s population to pay in-state tuition. These students will still have to apply and be accepted, so only qualified students will benefit from the bill’s passage.

SB 170 is a beneficial bill to the state of Colorado and all of its residents. That’s why Republican businessmen such as Alex Cranberg and Dick Monfort support this legislation. Education officials, bussiness people, Republicans, and Democrats have all come together in favor of SB09-170 because it makes economic sense for Colorado.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope this helps you understand why I support tuition equity.

Respectfully,

Chris Romer

¡Órale!  If I were Mexican, I would call Chris Romer an “honorary Mexican,” but I’m not (I’m Guatemalan-American).  So I’ll just call him an honorary Latino.

Take the time to give his office a call to thank him for his eloquence: 303-866-4852 or chris.romer.senate@state.co.us.

Review: Homeland Security USA program tonight on ABC

Gabriela Flora and Jordan Garcia of American Friends Service Committee tip us off to the following show that ABC will be airing tonight and ask for our feedback:

Coloradans For Immigrant Rights!

What does your TV tell you how to think about Homeland Security?

ABC is set to Premier the first of 13 hour long episodes of Homeland Security USA TODAY, Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm on Denver ABC Affiliate, Channel 7…

Rising Action…

In early December, the American Friends Service Committee requested from ABC executives the opportunity to view a pilot of Homeland Security USA in order to share any concerns or observations we may have had with ABC before the program went on the air.  ABC turned down AFSC’s request.

Pinnacle…

Now, we ask YOU to view Homeland Security USA with your friends & family and use these questions to guide a discussion on “reality” TV program…

1. Is the whole story there?

The Department of Homeland Security has been marred with scores of human rights violations, from overcrowding in detention centers to questionable worksite and home raids, which has prompted strong criticism from elected officials to civil and human rights organizations across the globe…

1. • From whose viewpoint is the storyline being told?
   • Is the perspective of immigrants and refugees portrayed in the program?
   • How are immigrants, border residents, and refugees depicted on the show?

1. Reality or simplification?

The debate over immigration can often be divisive; this is especially true when myths over immigration are portrayed as truths and when oversimplification of the complex immigration phenomena plays on fears and racism…

1. • How does Homeland Security USA contribute or not to a meaningful dialogue on immigration?
   • Did you walk away with a better understanding of the immigration debate and the reality that millions of people face in the United States when dealing with the Department of Homeland Security?

1. Accurate portrayal?

Sadly the testimonies of refugees, immigrants and border residents rarely have the opportunity of being portrayed positively in national media outlets.  Often times their stories are framed within issues of legality and national security…

· Does Homeland Security USA offer any character depth in the portrayal of refugees, immigrants and border residents?

· How are Department of Homeland Security agents portrayed in the TV show?  Do you agree with this depiction of DHS agents?  Why or why not?

· Do you believe that Homeland Security USA does a good job in conveying a balanced depiction of both agents and civilians?

Coming soon…

In the next few weeks AFSC will be collecting impressions from community members across the United States to share with ABC executives, in the hopes that immigrants, refugees and border residents are treated fairly and their stories are NOT used as way to increase ratings for ABC. As part of this effort, please send any comments you have after viewing Homeland Security USA to Jordan Garcia (jgarcia@afsc.org).

Bush Administration Announces Last Minute Changes to Guestworker Program

I think the Rethugs are trying to lay the groundwork to take back the Hispanic vote from the Democratic Party.  Maybe George Bush is getting the message that his administration really screwed thing up for them.  Ha ha.

A news flash from LULAC:

Bush Administration Announces Last Minute Changes to Guestworker Program

The Bush Administration, with the Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security, announced on December 10th, regulatory changes to the H2-A Agricultural Guestworker program, changes that will take effect January 18th. The changes relax rules many current regulations that protect both guestworkers and reduce obligations for growers to recruit U.S. workers. The new rules would ease administrative burdens by allowing employers to simply “attest” that they’re meeting various program requirements. The Department of Labor said this would trim unnecessary paperwork; while critics fear this will invite abuses. Essentially, the regulatory changes would weaken oversight and enforcement of the H2-A program. For more information please contact Iris Chavez at 202-833-6130, ichavez@lulac.org.

If this results in some better conditions for migrant workers, then good.  I will appreciate the note of justice if this turns out to be good.  I’ll keep my eye on this one!

Weld County Alert: Arrest of Immigrants

Our friends over at The Center for Justice, Peace and Environment are sharing this report with us:

Ken Buck, DA of Weld County, has announced that they are investigating over 1,300 people for using false SS#’s on tax returns.  They have stated they will charge ID theft.  They are turning people over to ICE

We are already getting calls from people who are being arrested.  The Weld County PD and Colorado AILA are aware of the situation and ready to help.  If anyone has a family member who has been arrested and needs assistance, they can call the Fuerza Latina help line at 970-472-1501.

KUNC radio announcement:

WELD IMMIGRATION

WELD COUNTY AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE ALLEGED USE OF STOLEN OR PHONY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS BY SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO FILE FOR $2.6 MILLION IN TAX DEDUCTIONS THEY’RE NOT OWED.  WELD COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY KEN BUCK SAYS MORE THAN 13-HUNDRED CLIENTS OF A TAX BUSINESS IN GREELEY MIGHT HAVE USED STOLEN OR PHONY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS.  AUTHORITIES SAY 11 SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED. THE ARRESTS STEM FROM AN INVESTIGATION THAT BEGAN THREE MONTHS AGO.  THAT’S WHEN A TEXAS MAN WAS AUDITED BY THE IRS FOR UNDERREPORTING HIS COLORADO INCOME.  IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT HIS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HAS BEEN STOLEN AND USED TO FILE FOR TAX REFUNDS (emphasis mine).

Fuerza Latina
P.O. Box 400
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
970-419-8944
fuerzalatinaco@yahoo.com
www.cjpe.org

We’ll keep you posted on developments and how you can help the affected families.

Diverse DU group to tackle immigration

More from the Colorado Independent.  Could this be the start of a new, bipartisan approach to immigration in Colorado?  Can there be any stranger bedfellows than those mentioned below?  What’s next?  Tancredo and the Ghost of Corky Gonzalez?  (ha ha!  can you just imagine that?):

Now that the election is over, it’s apparently time to hunker down with immigration. And who better to do that than a group that, on its face, will bring every imaginable perspective to the table? We’re talking Polly Baca to Pete Coors; Kay Norton to John Hickenlooper; Bill Ritter to Bill Owens.

On Friday, University of Denver Chancellor Robert Coombe will announce the new group as part of the college’s Strategic Issues Program (SIP) will study immigration.

Past University of Denver SIP panels have hashed out everything from the state’s economy to its water supply and constitution.

Two years ago, the Colorado Legislature passed what former Gov. Owens termed the toughest in America dealing with immigration. Among the laws passed during a special session called to deal with the immigration issue in Colorado: new applicants for public benefits must prove they are in the United States legally; and employers must certify their employees’ legal statuses.

At a Friday press conference, Chancellor Coombe will detail what the newly formed group will tackle in the coming year.

Act now! Press Congress to release unnecessary restrictions on immigrants!

Our friends from the Coalition on Human Needs need your help to remove barriers to help the poor and elderly caused by unfair focus on immigrants. Please read and sign the letter.

As our country moves into a time of new opportunities, let’s urge our leaders to stand up for the just treatment of immigrant communities

Organizations: Please Remember to Sign Letter to Congress

Deadline has been extended to Thursday, November 13

Many advocates working to improve the social safety-net have been saddened by the negative targeting of immigrants in Congressional debate, doubly harmful when the targeting results in burdensome requirements that jeopardize eligible beneficiaries’ access to services. These restrictive policies are a disservice to our communities and have broad unintended consequences, such as threatening loss of health benefits of poor seniors who cannot assemble documents proving their citizenship. For more information on how this has played out in 2007 and 2008, see the one-page backgrounder: http://www.chn.org/pdf/2008/imigrestrictions.pdf.

Soon our country will have a new Congress and it is important that Members understand the harmful effects to these restrictive policies. Therefore, we are distributing an organizational sign-on letter protesting the recent attacks and asking Members of Congress to stop playing politics with the lives of immigrants and other vulnerable low-income people. Anti-immigrant voices, relatively small in number but loud, are too often the only voices heard by Senators and Representatives. Please help us to create a stronger voice for fairness, effectiveness, and integrity in federal legislation affecting immigrants by adding your organization’s name to this letter.

You can view and add your organization’s name to the letter here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/125/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1713. Click here for a printer-friendly copy of the letter.

Thank you!