Border Network for Human Rights http://www.bnhr.org We are not the problem, we are part of the solution... Wed, 16 May 2012 17:18:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Anthony, NM Residents Want to End Immigration Checks by Police http://www.bnhr.org/news/anthony-new-mexico-residents-want-an-end-to-immigration-checks-by-police?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=anthony-new-mexico-residents-want-an-end-to-immigration-checks-by-police http://www.bnhr.org/news/anthony-new-mexico-residents-want-an-end-to-immigration-checks-by-police#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 16:00:57 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1315

BNHR members march in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Martin Luther King Day, 2012. Las Cruces is about 30 minutes away from Anthony.

Hundreds sign petition in the small town, representing 4% of the entire population.

Members of the Border Network for Human Rights in southern New Mexico aim to change things in Anthony.

BNHR will be presenting a petition signed by almost 400 Anthony residents at the Anthony City Council today after the March for Anthony today.

The petition asks the Council to support the principles of community policing — a strategy whereby police gain the trust of all members of a community to more effectively fight crime.

The community policing strategy has been promoted by all of the major Police Chiefs’ Associations across the country, who have explicitly recommended against the practice of having local police officers do the role federal immigration officers.

The petition signatories represent about 4% of Anthony’s population of about 9,400. (Source: http://www.city-data.com/city/Anthony-New-Mexico.html). Considering the turnout in Anthony during the last election, this represents a political force that has no match in the small New Mexico city.

BNHR members will march onto City Hall in Anthony to ask the Anthony City Council to prevent local police from doing immigration work.

“We need our police to focus on protecting all of our communities from crime,” said Teresa Nevarez, Director of the Anthony Human Rights Community Center in Anthony, NM. “If they are asking everyone for their papers, they are taking time away from keeping our neighborhoods safe.”

BNHR has received reports of local law enforcement in the Southern New Mexico region acting as immigration agents. There is ample evidence to show that when local law enforcement engage in immigration checks, the trust between police and communities in broken. When police are known to ask for immigration papers, residents stop reporting crime and cooperating with police regardless of their immigration status.

“The enforcement of civil immigration law is the responsibility of the federal government,” said Jose Manuel Escobedo, BNHR Policy Director.  “It is unconstitutional and just as improper for local police to ask for immigration papers as it would be for them to ask for proof of filing taxes to the IRS.”

The March for Anthony

When: May 16th, 5 p.m.
Where: The March for Anthony will begin at 5:00 pm at the Anthony Texas Park at Richard White Street and Franklin and end at Anthony City Hall on Lincoln St., where members of BNHR will present a petition signed by hundreds of Anthony residents at 6 p.m.

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/anthony-new-mexico-residents-want-an-end-to-immigration-checks-by-police/feed 0 BNHR Commends Rep. Silvestre Reyes’ Letter to AG Holder on Border Patrol killings http://www.bnhr.org/news/bnhr-commends-rep-silvestre-reyes-letter-to-ag-holder-on-border-patrol-killings?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bnhr-commends-rep-silvestre-reyes-letter-to-ag-holder-on-border-patrol-killings http://www.bnhr.org/news/bnhr-commends-rep-silvestre-reyes-letter-to-ag-holder-on-border-patrol-killings#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 21:34:11 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1311

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes today released a statement calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to open transparent and accountable investigations into the spate of deaths over the last two years along the U.S.-Mexico border involving Border Patrol agents.

Read Rep. Reyes’ statement here.

Rep. Reyes is to be commended for showing leadership on an issue that has touched border communities from California to Texas.

PBS recently aired previously unseen footage of the killing of Anastasio Hernandez Rojasin San Diego. The video taken by a U.S. tourist at the port of entry shows about 20 officers surrounding Rojas, beating and tazing him.

Video released in April 2012 shows Anastasio Hernandez Rojas surrounded by Border Patrol agents who beat and tazed him. One of the agents is shining his flashlight on Rojas, who is on the ground.

And here in El Paso, the 2010 killing of 15-year-old Sergio Hernandez-Guereca and the recent decision by the Department of Justice not to pursue charges in the case compounded the trauma for border communities and broke the trust of communities in law enforcement and in the Obama Administration.

“We commend the leadership Congressman Reyes has taken in sending this letter. We also believe that there need to be mechanisms in place to ensure the accountability of border law enforcement officials to the communities they serve. And we are calling on other Congressmen along the border to join Congressman Reyes in calling for accountability and oversight,” said BNHR Executive Director Fernando Garcia. “We believe this is a positive step and we are going to continue working to bring justice for families and victims and to create change that would stop these violent situations from ever happening again.”

BNHR is also calling on Congress to create an independent border enforcement review commission that looks into any cases of violations of civil and human rights by border law enforcement agents and programs.

BNHR has been calling for justice the killing of Sergio Hernandez-Guereca since news of the teen’s killing.

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/bnhr-commends-rep-silvestre-reyes-letter-to-ag-holder-on-border-patrol-killings/feed 0 U.S. Won’t Pursue Charges in Border Patrol Shooting of Mexican Teen http://www.bnhr.org/news/u-s-will-not-pursue-charges-in-border-patrol-shooting-of-mexican-teen?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=u-s-will-not-pursue-charges-in-border-patrol-shooting-of-mexican-teen http://www.bnhr.org/news/u-s-will-not-pursue-charges-in-border-patrol-shooting-of-mexican-teen#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:35:55 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1304

Members of BNHR blocked Montana Ave. in front of the El Paso Border Patrol offices in protest of the killing in 2010.

The Department of Justice Announced Friday that the U.S. will not pursue charges in the 2010 shooting death of 15-year-old Sergio Hernandez-Guereca by a Border Patrol agent.

The agent, standing in El Paso, shot and killed Hernandez-Guereca, who was standing in Mexico.

The Border Network for Human Rights has been publicly demanding justice and accountability in the case for the last two years. BNHR denounces this decision.

“This demonstrates a lack of willingness in the Obama Administration to prosecute cases where human rights have clearly been violated,” said BNHR Executive Director Fernando Garica. “Today impunity was served instead of justice.”

“There is a perception among border communities in and around El Paso that something wrong happened that day. Communities here have been asking for some accountability from this administration, but we now see that accountability is not a priority for this administration.”

“The message sent to our border community is that young immigrant men can be killed and nothing will happen. Today, our communities on the border have less trust in federal border institutions and in the ability of this administration to provide justice. This leaves an open wound in Sergio’s family and in our community.”

The Border Network for Human Rights will continue to demand justice for Hernandez-Guereca and the estimated 500 annual victims of institutional border violence.

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/u-s-will-not-pursue-charges-in-border-patrol-shooting-of-mexican-teen/feed 0 Border Communities are Outraged by UT Chancellor’s Insinuations About El Paso http://www.bnhr.org/news/border-communities-are-outraged-by-ut-chancellors-depiction-of-el-paso?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=border-communities-are-outraged-by-ut-chancellors-depiction-of-el-paso http://www.bnhr.org/news/border-communities-are-outraged-by-ut-chancellors-depiction-of-el-paso#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:33:06 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1299 Cancellation of El Paso boxing match is based on lies about the border and was politically motivated

The decision by UT Chancellor Dr. Francisco Cigarroa to cancel the boxing match between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.  and Andy Lee is based on unfounded perceptions of the border and the people who live here.

Last December, El Paso was again ranked as the safest large U.S. city for the second year in a row. Prior to this, El Paso has been named either the 2nd or 3rd safest large city for the last 12 years.

Despite these facts, Chancellor Cigarroa chose to cancel the much-anticipated match over unspecified “safety and security concerns.”

“We reject the depiction of our city as unsafe,” said BNHR Executive Director Fernando Garcia. “You cannot ignore the political element here, when our own governor lies about our city and says there are car bombs going off in downtown El Paso, it is unfair to the communities that have made this the safest city in the nation.”

The announcement that the match had been canceled came the same morning that President Bill Clinton was in town to campaign for Rep. Silvestre Reyes and just days after a Saturday boxing match at the Don Haskins Center.

“You look at that and you can see why El Pasoans feel insulted,” Garcia added. “And the worst part is that it’s not just an insult, it’s an insult based on lies about our city.”

BNHR is calling on the Chancellor to reverse this decision and to apologize to border communities.

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/border-communities-are-outraged-by-ut-chancellors-depiction-of-el-paso/feed 0 BNHR Holds Vigil in El Paso as Supreme Court Hears Arizona’s SB1070 http://www.bnhr.org/news/bnhr-holds-vigil-in-el-paso-as-supreme-court-hears-arizonas-sb1070?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bnhr-holds-vigil-in-el-paso-as-supreme-court-hears-arizonas-sb1070 http://www.bnhr.org/news/bnhr-holds-vigil-in-el-paso-as-supreme-court-hears-arizonas-sb1070#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:22:03 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1292 Vigil for SB1070 and All Immigrant Families

When: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 starting at 5 p.m.
Where: Aztec Calendar Park in Downtown El Paso next to the County Courthouse

(EL PASO, Texas) — What happened in Arizona has not stayed in Arizona.

After years of legal battles, lost revenue and communities living in fear, Arizona’s infamous 
“papers, please” law will be heard by the Supreme Court on Wednesday April 25, 2012.

And thousands across the U.S. are praying that the Supreme Court rules with wisdom and compassion as they decide the constitutionality of Arizona’s SB1070.

Members of the Border Network for Human Rights in El Paso are in solidarity with other vigils planned across Texas, in Brownsville, Dallas, San Juan and Austin. There are also vigils planned across the country, notably in Alabama, California, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, and in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

BNHR is inviting members of the faith community in El Paso to join us in prayer for the Supreme Court and for the families and communities that have been negatively impacted by this law.

In the 2011 session of the Texas Legislature, Rick Perry and other state lawmakers loyal to the tea party tried to push similar laws here in Texas. They failed.

“The Arizona law was literally written by prison industry lobbyists and is plainly unconstitutional,” said Cristina Parker, BNHR Communications Director. “If the Court rules incorrectly on this, we could all be living in Arizona soon. So we are praying.”

SB1070 Vigils Across Texas

Monday, April 23, 2012
Brownsville, TX
6:00 PM
Boca Chica Blvd & International Blvd, Brownsville, TX
Organized by: Movimiento del Valle por los Derechos Humanos
Contact: Alvaro Sosa, 956-465-6870

Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Dallas, TX
Vigil for Family Unity
Dallas City Hall
1500 Marilla St, Dallas, TX
Organized by: Pueblo Sin Fronteras
Contact: Roberto Corona, 909-856-2322

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
San Juan, TX
6:00 PM
Cesar Chavez & Business 83, San Juan Texas
Organized by: Equal Voice Immigration Working Group of the RGV
Contact: Martha Sanchez, 956-787-2233

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Austin, TX
7:00 PM
Front Gates of the Capitol (1100 11th Street), Austin, TX
Organized by: Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition
Contact: Esther Reyes, 512-476-2472

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/bnhr-holds-vigil-in-el-paso-as-supreme-court-hears-arizonas-sb1070/feed 0 Free Citizenship Workshops on April 28 In New Mexico and Texas http://www.bnhr.org/news/free-citizenship-workshops-on-april-28-in-new-mexico-and-texas?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=free-citizenship-workshops-on-april-28-in-new-mexico-and-texas http://www.bnhr.org/news/free-citizenship-workshops-on-april-28-in-new-mexico-and-texas#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:27:41 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1290

When:
Saturday April 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

In San Elizario, TX:
AYUDA
1325 Beverly Ann

In Anthony, NM:
Border Network for Human Rights
209 Lopez Street

Lawyers in El Paso and Las Cruces will provide their services free of charge to all persons wishing to apply for citizenship. NALEO will provide study materials including guides and CD’s to all applicants who qualify. The Immigration Service office in El Paso will be available to answer general questions about the application process for citizenship. To apply please bring the following the day of the workshop:

  • Permanent resident card, social security card and valid photo identification;
  • Two money orders: one for $ 595 and another for $ 85 payable to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;
  • Copies of your IRS taxes for the past 5 years;
  • Marriage certificate and evidence that all previous marriages have been terminated either by divorce or annulment;
  • Proof that you are signed up for the draw of military service (males only);
  • Any criminal arrest record (if you have one);
  • 2 passport style photos
  • $ 5.00 for postage to mail your application;
  • To request a fee waiver, please provide documentation of benefits received, such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The Diocesan Migrants and Refugees Services, Border Network for Human Rights, the Office of Congressman Silvestre Reyes, and Catholic Charities join forces with NALEO to offer this service.

Call 915-577-0724 or 575-882-1177 for more information.

Your personal information is CONFIDENTIAL and will not be disclosed to any government or police agency without your permission.

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/free-citizenship-workshops-on-april-28-in-new-mexico-and-texas/feed 0 Taller Gratuito de Ciudadanía 28 de Abril en Nuevo Mexico y Texas http://www.bnhr.org/news/taller-gratuito-de-ciudadania-28-de-abril-en-nuevo-mexico-y-texas?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=taller-gratuito-de-ciudadania-28-de-abril-en-nuevo-mexico-y-texas http://www.bnhr.org/news/taller-gratuito-de-ciudadania-28-de-abril-en-nuevo-mexico-y-texas#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:20:34 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1285 Cuando
Sábado 28 de Abril de 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

En San Elizario, TX:
AYUDA
1325 Beverly Ann

En Anthony, NM:
Red Fronteriza por los Derechos Humanos
209 López Street

Abogados de El Paso y Las Cruces prestarán sus servicios en forma gratuita para todas las personas que deseen aplicar para su ciudadanía. NALEO proveerá materiales de estudio incluyendo guías y CD’s a todos los aplicantes que califiquen. La oficina de Servicios de Inmigración de El Paso estará disponible para contestar preguntas generales del proceso de aplicación para ciudadanía. Si desea aplicar por favor traiga lo siguiente el día del taller:

  • Tarjeta de residencia permanente, tarjeta de seguro social, y una identificación oficial;
  • Dos giros postales: uno por $595 y otro por $85 pagaderos a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services;
  • Copias de sus impuestos del IRS por los últimos 5 años;
  • Certificado de matrimonio y evidencia de que todos los matrimonios anteriores hayan sido terminados ya sea por divorcio o por anulación;
  • Comprobante de que usted está enlistado para el sorteo del Servicio Militar (varones solamente);
  • Record criminal por cualquier arresto (si ha tenido alguno);
  • 2 fotos estilo pasaporte
  • $5.00 para tarifa postal para mandar por correo su aplicación;
  • Para solicitar una exención de pago, por favor proporcione documentos de beneficios recibidos, tales como Medicaid, Cupones de Alimentos, Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas (TANF), o Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario (SSI).

Servicios Diocesanos para Migrantes y Refugiados, La Red Fronteriza por los Derechos Humanos, la oficina del Congresista Silvestre Reyes, y Caridades Católicas unen fuerzas con NALEO para ofrecer este servicio.

Llame 915-577-0724 o 575-882-1177 para mas información.

Su información personal es CONFIDENCIAL y no será compartida con ninguna agencia gubernamental o policiaca sin su permiso.

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/taller-gratuito-de-ciudadania-28-de-abril-en-nuevo-mexico-y-texas/feed 0 ¿Dónde Hacer un Reporte de Abuso? http://www.bnhr.org/news/donde-hacer-un-reporte-de-abuso?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=donde-hacer-un-reporte-de-abuso http://www.bnhr.org/news/donde-hacer-un-reporte-de-abuso#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:23:18 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1272 Lugares de la Campaña de Documentacion de Abusos:
Para más información, llame a: 915-494-4213, o,

Imprimir este panfleto para informar a otros en su comunidad.

Inmigrantes Unidos (Montana Vista)
Abril 12: Family Dollar[14678 Montana Avenue] (10a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 13: Tienda Moderna (5p.m.-7p.m.)
Abril 14: Montana Vista Market[14700 Montana Avenue] (9a.m.-1p.m.)
La Pulguita (9a.m.-1p.m.)
Abril 15: Montana Vista Market[14700 Montana Avenue] (9a.m.-1p.m.)
Señor Dollar (9a.m.-1p.m.)
*Visitas a casas durante semana

Ciudad Del Sol (Area Central Del Paso)
Abril 3: Escuela Douglas[Eucalyptus y Cypress] (7:45a.m.-11:30a.m.)
Abril 4: Clinica La Fe[700 S. Ochoa] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 5: Centro Houchen[609 S. Tays] (7:45a.m.-11:30a.m.)
Abril 9: Doniphan y Thorn (11:00a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 10: Departamentos Salazar[Eucalyptus y Cycress] (7:45a.m.-11:30a.m.)
Abril 11: Clinica La Fe[700 S. Ochoa] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 12: Centro Houchen[609 S. Tays] (7:45a.m.-12p.m)
Abril 13: Parque Houston[Montana y Ange] (6p.m.-8p.m.)
Abril 14: Parque Houston[Montana y Ange] (4p.m.-6p.m.)
Abril 15: Tienda Mata’s[Stanton y Seventh] (10a.m.-1p.m.)

Chamizal (Centro Del Paso/Sparks)
Abril 4: Food City[Lisbon y Paisano] (11a.m.-2:00p.m.)
Big 8[Lisbon y Alameda] (11a.m.-2:00p.m)
Abril 5: Centro Comunitario Socorro Ramirez[Calle Peyton] (9a.m.-1p.m.)
Abril 10: Apartamentos Alamito y Guillen[Entre Hills y Campbell] (10a.m.-1p.m.)
Abril 11: Escuela Burleson[Paisano y Valle Verde] (2p.m.-4:30p.m.)
Jefferson High School[4700 Alameda] (2p.m.-4:30p.m.)
Abril 12: Sparks[Caminando] (11a.m.-2p.m.)
Abril 13: Afuera del Consulado[910 East San Antonio] (10a.m.-1p.m.)
Abril 14: Fox Plaza[5559 Alameda] (10a.m.-2p.m.)
Abril 15: Iglesia Cristo Rey[1010 East Yandell Drive] (11a.m.-12p.m.)
Iglesia San Pio[Geronimo y Clark] (9a.m.-1p.m.)

Tesoros del Desierto (Socorro/San Elizario)
Abril 7: Rock N Roll[9521 Alameda] (9a.m.-2p.m)
Centro Comunitario A.Y.U.D.A[1325 Beverly Ann Drive] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 8: Iglesia San Pedro y San Pablo[673 Old Hueco Tanks] (8a.m.-11a.m.) (12p.m.-2p.m.)
Abril 9: Socorro[Caminando] (10a.m.-11a.m.)
Abril 12: Socorro[Caminando] (10a.m.-11a.m.)
Abril 14: Rock N Roll[9521 Alameda] (9a.m.-12p.m.) (1p.m.-4p.m.)
Centro Comunitario A.Y.U.D.A[1325 Beverly Ann Drive] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 15: Iglesia San Pedro y San Pablo[673 Old Hueco Tanks] (8a.m.-11a.m.) (12p.m.-2p.m.)
Iglesia de San Elizario[1556 San Elizario Road] (8a.m.-11a.m.) (12p.m.-2p.m)

Valle de las Misiones (Area deYsleta)
Abril 7: Carolina Park[Carolina y North Loop] (9:30a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 12: Ranch Market[Zaragoza y North Loop] (12p.m.-2:30p.m.)
Abril 14: Big 8[9016 Alameda] (12:30p.m.-2:30p.m.)
Carolina Park[Carolina y North Loop] (9:30a.m.-12:30p.m)
Abril 15: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora Dolores[7712 Franklin Rose Dale] (10a.m.-1p.m.)

Rio Grande (Las Cruces, NM)
Abril 4: Parqueadero Mesilla Park (4p.m.-6p.m.)
Wal Mart[571 Walton] (5p.m.-7p.m.)
Apartamentos[2013 Tribis] (10a.m.-1p.m.)
Apartamentos[1955 Colorado] (10a.m.-1p.m.)
Apartamentos[1410 Espina] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 6: Pulga[Picacho] (10a.m.-12p.m.)
Apartamentos[2013 Tribis] (10a.m.-1p.m.)
Apartamentos[1955 Colorado] (10a.m.-1p.m.)
Apartamentos[1410 Espina] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 12: 525 Madrid Suite 5 (6p.m.-?)
Abril 14: Panaderia Mezquite[Avenida 478] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Parqueadero Picacho Vista[2200 Holiday Ave # 263] (11a.m.-1p.m.)
Abril 15: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora Guadalupe[Calle Tortugas] (10a.m.-12p.m.)
Iglesia de San Pedro del Cerro[#137 Loma Ave.] (11a.m.-1p.m.)
525 Madrid Suite 5 (5p.m-?)
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Salud[Calle Mezquite] (9a.m.-1p.m.)

Libertadores de la Paz (Highway 70)
Abril 14 y 15: Big Daddy’s Flea Market/HWY 70 [5580 Bataan Memorial E] (9a.m.-12p.m.)

Tierra del Encanto (Anthony/Vado/Berino, NM)
Abril 3-6: Oficina Anthony[209 Lopez] (9a.m.-4p.m.)
Abril 4: Iglesia San Antonio[224 Lincoln] (9a.m.-12a.m.)
Abril 7: Oficina Anthony[209 Lopez] (9a.m.-4p.m.)
Mini Mart (5p.m.-7p.m.)
Iglesia San Antonio[224 Lincoln] (6p.m.-8p.m.)
Abril 8: Iglesia San Antonio[224 Lincoln] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Iglesia San Pedro del Cerro[#137 Loma Ave.] (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 9: Plaza del Sol (9a.m.-12p.m.)
Abril 10: La Finca Meat Market[195 La Fe Avenue]
Abril 12: Misis[101 Arcangel Ave.] (5p.m.-7p.m.)
Abril 13: La Pasadita[Berino] (9a.m.-12p.m.) (5p.m.-7p.m.)
*Abril 4-11: Calles de Vado (5p.m.-7p.m.)

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/donde-hacer-un-reporte-de-abuso/feed 0 Happy International Women’s Day: 10 Facts About Immigrant Women http://www.bnhr.org/news/happy-international-womens-day-10-facts-about-immigrant-women?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=happy-international-womens-day-10-facts-about-immigrant-women http://www.bnhr.org/news/happy-international-womens-day-10-facts-about-immigrant-women#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:29:52 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1269

Immigrant Women: Stewards of the 21st Century Family from New America Media on Vimeo.

Today marks the 101st International Women’s Day and a chance to reflect on the contributions of immigrant women in the U.S. Women make up the majority of all immigrants regardless of status, and they contribute more than you might know to U.S. families and economy. But they also face greater dangers at home and at work than you may realize.

Read more from the Center for American Progress‘ fact sheet on immigrant women:

1. The face of today’s immigration is more female than male. In 2010, 55 percent of all people obtaining a green card were women. Of these women 60 percent were already married, while the other 40 percent were single, widowed, or divorced. Women comprised 47 percent of all refugee arrivals and 53 percent of all people who naturalized to become a citizen.

2. This trend is decades in the making. Until the 1960s immigrant men outnumbered immigrant women. But after the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which shifted the United States largely to a system of family-based admissions, more women began to arrive. By the 1970s the number of female immigrants caught up and surpassed their male counterparts. In 2010 there were 96 immigrant men arriving for every 100 immigrant women.

3. Immigrants live in families at a greater rate than native-born Americans. Among undocumented immigrants living in the United States today, 45 percent live in families comprised of couples and children. The percentage of legal immigrants living in families is 34 percent, but only 21 percent for native-born Americans.

4. Immigrant women embrace citizenship and encourage integration. According to 2009 public opinion research by New America Media, immigrant women from a broad range of countries are overwhelmingly the drivers of naturalization in their families, with 58 percent of respondents stating that they felt the strongest in their family about becoming an American citizen. Overall, 84 percent of the women surveyed want to become citizens, with a whopping 90 percent of female immigrants from Latin American and Arab nations indicating their desire to naturalize.

RITA members march for immigration reform in Washington, D.C. in 2010. Border Network for Human Rights is a founding member of RITA.

5. Immigrant women (like most) make enormous sacrifices for their families. New America Media found that only 13 percent of immigrant women work as professionals in the United States, even though 32 percent of them worked as such in their home country. The study concludes, “Women may well be putting devotion to the wellbeing of their families ahead of personal pride in choosing the journey to America.”

6. Immigrant female business owners outpace their American-born counterparts. In 2010, immigrant women comprised 40 percent of all immigrant business owners and 20 percent of women business owners in general. These women are now more likely to own their own business than American-born women (9 percent to 6.5 percent, respectively.)

But not all the news is rosy

7. Immigration enforcement is taking its toll on immigrant families. Rising deportations of undocumented immigrants are separating children from their parents. A 2011 report from the Applied Research Center found that more than 5,000 children living in foster care had parents who had been detained or deported from the United States. They estimate that another 15,000 children will end up in foster care in the next five years because of immigration enforcement.

8. Immigrant women workers are vulnerable to abuse at work. Immigrant women make up close to the entire population of domestic workers in major cities such as New York, with one study by Domestic Workers United finding that 33 percent of domestic workers in New York City experienced some form of physical or verbal abuse, often because of their race or immigration status.

9. They are also vulnerable to abuse at home. Domestic abuse affects immigrant and American-born women alike, but immigrant women suffer from particular vulnerabilities, particularly from abusive partners who use the woman’s immigration status to keep them from leaving an abusive marriage or relationship.

10. Human trafficking is another form of abuse endured by immigrant women and children. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that each year 50,000 people are trafficked into our nation. U.S. officials can grant up to 5,000 so-called “T” Visas to help free immigrant women forced into, among other things, the sex trade, but studies find that barely any are being granted. In 2010, for example, only 447 T Visas were approved.

]]> http://www.bnhr.org/news/happy-international-womens-day-10-facts-about-immigrant-women/feed 0 El Paso Human Rights Convention Reignites A National Movement http://www.bnhr.org/news/el-paso-human-rights-convention-reignites-a-national-movement?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=el-paso-human-rights-convention-reignites-a-national-movement http://www.bnhr.org/news/el-paso-human-rights-convention-reignites-a-national-movement#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:16:33 +0000 Cristina Parker http://www.bnhr.org/?p=1257 (EL PASO, Texas) — The next national movement for equal rights is kicking off in El Paso. As part of the national Human Rights at Home campaign aimed at building a human rights movement, the Border Network for Human Rights has organized the El Paso Regional Human Rights Convention for February 18. The convention will bring communities in West Texas and Southern New Mexico together to define what human rights means

Details of EPRHRC:

Where: Mercado Mayapan at 2102 Myrtle Ave
When: Saturday, February 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

At 9:30, 500 convention attendees will march into the Mercado. Invited speakers and representatives from participating organizations (listed below) will give their remarks starting at 10.

Organizations participating and/or sending delegates to the convention include:
Annunciation House
A.Y.U.D.A.
Border Network for Human Rights
Desert A.D.A.P.T.
El Comite Justicia Laboral/The Labor Justice Committee
El Paso Federation of Teachers
La Mujer Obrera
Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center
Occupy El Paso
Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
The National Association of Social Workers

Organizations coming from outside of West Texas and Southern New Mexico:
Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition
Communities for Human Rights, a Texas-wide organization
Dallas Peace Center
DreamActivist Pennsylvania
Juntos, Philadelphia
Media Mobilizing Project, Pennsylvania
Movimiento del Valle, Rio Grande Valley
National Economic & Social Rights Initiative, based in New York
One Love Movement, Philadelphia
Poverty Initiative, New York
United Workers, Baltimore
Vermont Workers’ Center

Speakers include:
Texas State Sen. Jose Rodriguez
El Paso Coutny Judge Veronica Escobar
Las Cruces City Rep. Olga Pedroza
Fr. Roy Bourgeois, of the School of Americas Watch

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