Skip to main content

Immigration

Keep Families Together - Fix Our Immigration System Now

December 10, 2012
Maria Bolaños, a Salvadoran woman in Hyattsville, Maryland, called the police out of fear that her partner was going to hurt her. But instead of being protected by the police, she got turned over to immigration. She said, “I feel like I made a mistake calling the police when I was afraid, and worry...
Linda Meric's picture

United to Keep Our Families Together

December 10, 2012
Since the election the headlines have been all about immigration reform and the urgency for Congress to finally get serious about it. As someone who works on immigration policy, I’ve been excited about the momentum that is building. But more importantly, as an advocate for children and as a...
Wendy Cervantes's picture

Let’s Stop the Madness of Separating Families

December 10, 2012
I have lived in the United States for 30 years, but I have never forgotten my humble beginnings as an undocumented immigrant. My family and I lived our first years in the US with the fear of being sent back to El Salvador. “La Migra” was a consistent threat in our lives. My personal experience as...
Rhina Ramos's picture

Now is Our Chance to Help Keep Immigrant Families Together

December 10, 2012
What would you do if you found out your daughter had a life-threatening illness -- and you had no way to pay for the treatment? 

Would you pack up everything, cross a border, and move to a new country, if it meant the chance to work and earn enough to save her life? 

I’m a mother and I would. In...
Reshma Shamasunder's picture

New Electoral Reality Makes Our Community a Target of a Different Kind

December 10, 2012
I wrote this piece for the Harvard Kennedy School newspaper , where I am a mid-career MPA student. Last year I took a break from community organizing after a heartbreaking loss of the DREAM Act in 2010. As I take this year to read and reflect, I can feel myself pulled back into the fight,...
Marissa Graciosa's picture

Immigrant Women Strengthen Our Economy -- and Our Country

December 10, 2012
As a lifelong human rights activist, I’ve never been afraid of controversy. But saying that immigrant women are good for our economy—good for our country —isn’t controversial. It’s common sense. Immigrant women are job creators. They are innovators and entrepreneurs who strengthen our national...
Mallika Dutt's picture

Immigration Reform is Critical for the Health of California and the Country

December 10, 2012
The landmark health reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a tremendous starting point for improving the health of communities of color in California and across the country. But to truly achieve lasting progress in the fight against health disparities, we need...
Ellen Wu's picture

Immigration Reform Picture Not Complete Unless It Includes the Face of Women

December 10, 2012
“Many people cross to seek riches, a truck, a new house, but mothers need to be with their children out of necessity. I am only crossing to see my daughter again, nothing more.” – Maria President Obama recently announced that immigration reform will be a top priority in his second term. As...
Kate Kelly's picture

Sacrifice at Sea

December 10, 2012
When I was 12, my cousins arrived to this country for the first time from Vietnam. They were all my age, 12 and 13, and they were sent by their parents to pave the way for the rest of their family to come. What that means is that they were given the responsibility of obtaining an education, getting...
Jora Trang's picture

When I Cast My Ballot on Election Day, I Voted for Human Rights

December 10, 2012
( Photo Credit : Amnesty International USA) As the challenges facing human rights progress are vast, it is crucially important to acknowledge victories that bring us closer to a world where human rights are a reality for all. The passage of the Maryland Dream Act manifested our belief that...
Jiva Manske's picture

Pages