It’s election time in the U.S. and abroad and you know what that means?

Anti-immigration and anti-immigrant rhetoric!

Because how else can you get that 10 percent of voters with unreasonable nationalistic and ethnocentric attitudes?

In France, the speech is aimed against the growing Muslim population from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey.

From French president Nikolas Sarkozy who is seeking reelection:

"Our system of integration is working worse and worse because we have too many foreigners on our territory, and we can no longer manage to find them accommodation, a job, a school.”

Here in the United States, the target is mostly Latino immigrants.

Rick Santorum on a rival candidates’ policy: “What Gov. Perry's done is he provided in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Maybe that was an attempt to attract the illegal vote--I mean, the Latino voters. But you attract Latino voters by talking about the importance of immigration. You talk about the importance of having English as the official language of this country.”

Notice Rick Santorum’s use of illegal and Latino rather interchangeably. It’s a slip up based on a very real connection populations put between immigrants and “the other.” – a group who is different and therefore threatening in “the main” group’s eyes. 

And let’s just put this out there, this “other” isn’t the white Canadian crossing the border from Toronto to Chicago or the white European crossing from Britain to France. 

Here in the U.S., social science research done in 1998, 2008 and 2012 prove that negative feelings towards immigration grew stronger when the target was Latino’s, as opposed to blacks, Asians or Europeans.

Candidates seeking their party’s nomination know this and will play up to the notion that “the other” (whether Muslim, Latino, etc) must be stopped before they destroy the “true citizens” country.

And until these anti-immigrant groups come to grips with their own demons, this harsh and demonizing language will go on and on for elections to come. 

All around the country, towns, counties and states are implementing a new method of detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants called Secure Communities.

Secure Communities works like so: You’re arrested by the police and taken into custody. The police then have the right, if they suspect you’re an undocumented immigrant, to check your fingerprints against the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration database. If there is a “hit”, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is immediately notified, EVEN IF the person has not been convicted of any criminal act.

Let’s say that twice: EVEN IF the person has not been convicted of any criminal act. Basically, an undocumented immigrant can be arrested, detained and deported for something as minor as forgetting to change the tags on their car or going 45 mph in 40 mph lane.

This program, run by the ICE, claims to prioritize the “removal of criminal aliens, those who pose a threat to public safety, and repeat immigration violators.”

Apparently by “those who pose a threat to public safety” they mean those who enjoy the very American past time of going over the speed limit.

In reality, only a small percentage of those convicted of actual criminal misdoings (we’re talking homicide, kidnappings, and the like) are detained.  

And the ICE’s data reflect this: In 2010, only 16 percent of those taken into custody were labeled as “First Level Risks.”

ICE claims that “Secure Communities is a simple and common sense way to carry out [its] priorities.”

Ehhh, not really.

CALL ON PUBLIX GROCERY STORE TO DO THE RIGHT THING

Rally at Publix Grocery Store's Grand Opening in Nashville

Wednesday, June 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

6614 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209

CONTACT: Matt Leber - mattleber75@gmail.com, 615 414-3788

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) is a community-based organization of mainly Latino, Mayan Indian and Haitian immigrants working in low-wage jobs throughout the state of Florida.

As part of the Campaign for Fair Food, the CIW has won agreements with Taco Bell, Burger King, McDonalds, Whole Foods, Aramark and others.  In order to address the subpoverty wages and abuses in their own supply-chain, these corporations have agreed to pay a price premium of an extra penny per pound of tomatoes, directly to the farmworkers.  They have also agreed to contract with growers that will comply with a worker-developed and worker-implemented code-of-conduct.

By contrast, PUBLIX has refused to meet or talk with CIW.  Here in Nashville, PUBLIX is opening a grocery store on June 16th.  Help us educate the public, their employees and their newest potential consumers.


We as consumers can make a difference.  We as allies to those who pick our food can make a difference.

PLEASE BE THERE.

For more information: www.ciw-online.org

My name is Sara. I was born in Nayarit, Mexico. My parents brought me to the U.S when I was only 3 months old. I have been ever since; growing up in this country is what makes me who I am. I am now 16 years old and a junior in high school. Every day I go to school, all I hear is what college everybody is going to and where I plan to go. My mom and dad decided to move to the U.S because they wanted a better future for themselves and their children. The main reason that we still live here is simply because it has become our country. It is filled with opportunities and freedom and we have lived here for as long as we can recall and have earned the honor of saying that. We’ve come to love and honor this country.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always felt like an American. I do things Americans do, I talk the way Americans do, I say the Pledge of Allegiance everyday as every other American student does, and I have dreams like every American. Being American doesn’t just consist of you being here legally, but also all the great things you have done for this country. It means more than just a paper with lettering on it. It means having love, respect, and honor for your country. 

As somebody who has worked so hard in school for every A+ and B+, I most certainly think that I deserve to feel as if it is worth something at the end. Staying up late and studying for my Biology AP test the next morning or for any other advanced and honors class, is well worth being considered an American. I, as a Hispanic student, put as much effort and desire in school as much as my fellow American friends.

See for yourself. Here's an excerpt:

WHEREAS, on April 19, 2010, the Arizona State Legislature passed the "Support Our
Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act," which Governor Jan Brewer signed into law on
April 23, 2010, calling the measure "another step forward in protecting the State of Arizona";

...

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that this body hereby honors and commends the State of Arizona....

Yes, this resolution does nothing. Yes, there are more dangerous bills to worry about. Yes, this is just politics at its worst.

But, that's not the point.

The impact of this resolution is to send a message about TN's position in this national debate. And if that's the case, it couldn't be coming at a worse time.

Since the passage of SB1070, Arizona's tourism industry has taken a significant hit. At least 23 events have been cancelled in the last few weeks, costing the state of Arizona between $6 and $10 million already. Here are some notable examples of the backlash:

• San Francisco and St. Paul have banned public employees from traveling to Arizona on business. Los Angeles, and Oakland are considering similar actions. (source)
• Boston, New York, San Diego, and other cities passed boycotts or resolutions condemning Arizona, with considerations to future economic action. (source)
• Gov. Rick Perry of Texas (R-TX) and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) joined other conservative governors condemning the law, and refusing to sign similar legislation if introduced in their own states. (source)
• The Republican National Convention decided against Arizona, opting to take the 2012 convention to Tampa Bay, FL. (source)
• The Major League Baseball Players Association has issued a statement condemning SB1070, and the MLB is reportedly considering pulling the 2011 All-Star game out of the state, which could cost Arizona $150 million. (source)
• Just last week, Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon announced that his city was facing a "near economic crisis" because of SB1070 and the subsequent national boycott. A study was presented to the city council which estimated that Phoenix stood to lose upwards of $90 million dollars, in a worst case scenario. (source)

Why do we need to put Tennessee's name on something that is not only drawing serious criticism from all quarters, but also losing the State of Arizona significant tourism and income?  We have enough of our own problems to be attaching our name to someone else's disaster.

Make no mistake, this economic  fallout is coming because SB 1070 is mean-spirited, borderline unconstitutional, and targeted specifically at non-white immigrants. There are many businesses and institutions that are unwilling to support such a racially divisive piece of legislation. Creating new laws that mandate racial profiling is a step backwards for this country. It does not reflect our American values of equality and fairness.

The passage of HJR 1253 sends a clear message to all those businesses who have boycotted Arizona (or are considering boycotting Arizona) to please add TN to their list of unfriendly, unwelcoming states. As the boycott movement continues to grow, this resolution could certainly help institutions decide which additional states to avoid doing business with.

We should say one good thing about SB1170: It's trying to fill a void left by a federal government unwilling to reform our broken immigration system. It is filling that void with racism and failed enforcement tactics - but at least you can understand the desire of many folks to do something about our broken system.

Let's hope that Congress and the White House are paying attention. Because until Washington finds the courage to tackle immigration reform, we will be left with states coming up with their own "solutions."

Regardless of the cost.

It was a pretty good article that touched on a number of angles, including:

• Recent Egyptian-immigrant familes at Millwood Manor who not only lost everything, but were exploited by their apartment management company
• A largely immigrant community in Antioch which lost 44 mobile homes in the flood - and how some of those families were terrified of contacting authorities for help because of their immigration status

Definitely an important story, and one that engenders feelings of empathy and goodwill...

...for most people.

"I suggested this morning that now would be a good time for some of you illegal lovers to take some illegals home to live with you and your family. Just wondered how many of you have went and brought a few home with you? Hmmmmm, that's what I figured."

"If you have knowledge of illegals using fake or borrowed SS numbers I am sure Homeland Security will want to talk with you."

So if i was on the run from the cops i should expect everyone to help me? How about if i snuck in to Iran, china, or any other country and my home was damaged. would i expect everyone to say "help the guy who broke in. don't worry that he is breaking the law."

Those are comments left by folks on the Tennessean website.

Part of my job at TIRRC involves monitoring the media, and that means occasionally reading through the online comment sections of articles. Anyone who was done this understands the utter depravity that exists in anonymous online messageboards. It can be downright depressing.

But, seriously? Have those people no sympathy in the face of disaster? It's just sad. I'm not even going to bother countering those arguments. I just needed to get it off my chest.

I will say that there were some people defending humanity in the comment section. It's dissapointing that voices of sanity are outnumbered - but the fact that they exist keeps me going!

To leave you on a good note...

These are human beings in need. Forget their status for now and help them. Would you let them drown if you saw them in the water? What kind of people are you?

Posted Originally at the US Immigration Integration Network

“Immigration to this country is increasing...from races most alien to the body of the American people.”

“[These immigrants], half of whom have no occupation and most of whom represent the rudest form of labor," are "people whom it is very difficult to assimilate and do not promise well for the standard of civilization in the United States...they have no interest or stake in the country, and they never become American citizens.”

In Tennessee, you can turn on conservative talk radio any day of the week and hear these sentiments echoed. But the statements above were made by a US Representative from Massachusetts named Henry Cabot Lodge, and he said them in 1891. He was talking about the immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, some of the very people who made their new homes in Tennessee a hundred years ago. We are a proud nation of immigrants, but there have always been those who sound the alarm when the newcomers look or sound too different. And people tend to listen.

Most Americans recognize the foundational role immigrants have played in building this country, but has immigration now been relegated to the tattered pages of history books? Does the immigrant experience continue to be a vital element in the character and strength of the nation? What do the immigrants of today promise for the continued prosperity of this country, and what do US-born citizens expect in return for sharing the American dream with newcomers? These are questions essential to the welcome we give today’s immigrants, and a community’s responses can determine the success and speed of immigrant integration.

Life as an undocumented student is far from easy. How is it that we, the youth, should be punished for the decisions our parents made? I cannot work, drive, or go to school. I cannot lead a normal life due to the simple fact that I don’t have a Social Security Number. The DREAM act is important to me because it is the only way I can achieve my biggest goals, the only way I can give back to this country I now call my home.

The DREAM Act is a piece of legislation that would help many undocumented students go to college and become citizens of the United States.  It won’t give them any sort of special treatment; it will just let them have a better chance at a brighter future. School for an undocumented student without the DREAM Act is nearly impossible since they have to pay out of state tuition. So many students, whether it be your friends, your neighbors, maybe even one of your family members are unable to further their education after high school which is why this piece of legislation is so important.

Everyone deserves an education no matter where you’re from or what papers you do or do not have. Here in Middle Tennessee we have a group of students, teachers and allies called the Nashville DREAM Act Committee. The main goal of our campaign is to convince Representative Cooper to co-sponsor the DREAM Act, to take leadership and encourage others to do the same. We’ve been doing a lot of different things like: outreach, calling, emailing, going on radio shows, even actions in front of Cooper’s office, etc.

But, we still have a long way to go, which is why we need all the help we can get. If you’re interested in being a part of the Committee or supporting this movement in other ways, please contact Elias Feghali at elias@tnimmigrant.org or call him at 615-833-0384 (ext. 104).