Eight years ago, I started volunteering at an after-school program (tutoring elementary-aged kids) as a requirement for my undergraduate program. Most of whom are either first or second generation Hispanic immigrants. As such, many of them need help with the English portions of their homework, because their parents are unable to help them. It's not for a lack of desire though, but because of work demands and/or language barriers.
Homework is merely a means to an end at Solidarity though; the heart behind what we do is really out of our love for our kids.
I could not have foreseen that I'd stick around for as long as I have. Neither did anyone else for that matter. Tommy, the Executive Director of Solidarity, has asked me on multiple occasions why I have volunteered with them for so long. I have had a lot of years to think about it. My initial reaction is that I love my kids. On a not-so-obvious level, I think it also has to do with my resonance with the immigration issue.
I am a third generation Mexican immigrant (on my mom's side). Although I am somewhat removed from personally experiencing immigration to this country firsthand, the story of my family's struggle is something that is not far from my heart. I see how hard my kids' parents work to give them a better life than the one that they had and I am reminded of my own family's sacrifices. When I see their families, I see mine.
Immigration, Women, & Abuse*
Although immigration is not traditionally thought of as a "women's issue." It is important to note that it is a human rights issue. As is the case of many other human rights issues, females tend to be at higher risk for exploitation and abuse. The following list applies to women, but is not exclusive to them as well:
- They work long hours for substandard wages (often times, without being paid overtime for those long hours).
- They lack access to employment protections.
- They are vulnerable to sexual violence, sexual assault, &/or sexual harassment in the work place.
- They are vulnerable to human trafficking.
- Immigrant survivors suffer more severe abuse, more often.
- Abuse rates in marriages between U.S. citizens and immigrant women may be 3X higher than in the general U.S. population.
- Nearly 75% of abused undocumented women in one survey said that their spouse had never filed immigration papers for them.
- Abusers who eventually filed petitions for their immigrant spouses waited almost 4 years to file.
- 65% of 157 immigrant survivors of abuse
interviewed reported that their abuser had threatened them with deportation.
On June 27th, the Senate passed a bipartisan immigration reform bill (S.744) that includes a pathway to citizenship for 11 million currently undocumented immigrants as well as enhanced protections for immigrant survivors of violence.
The highlights of the bill:
- Strengthens protections for non-citizens in child protection cases
- Eliminates one-year filing deadline for asylum (which was an arbitrary deadline to begin with)
- Limits immigration enforcement at sensitive locations (schools, hospitals/clinics, churches, crime victim services)
- Ensures
screening of unaccompanied immigrant children at the border to identify victims
of persecution or trafficking (could lead to prevention/early intervention of potential victims of human trafficking)
- Improves to treatment while in ICE/CBP custody; requires female officers to escort female detainees during transport
- Protections for Abused Spouses of Temporary Visa Holders
- Work Authorization for applicants with pending VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), U (serious crimes) and T (trafficking) applications
- Increases number of available U visas (from 10,000 to 18,000 annually)
- And to expand U visa eligibility to include child abuse, elder abuse, and serious civil workplace violations
- Makes LPR (Legal Permanent Residents) spouses “immediate relatives”
- Preserving access to public housing programs for qualified VAWA self-petitioners
- Special protections for abused RPI (Registered Provisional Immigrant) spouses
This bill is currently being discussed in the House amongst our representatives and is the source of much debate. History of immigration reform is still in the midst of being written.
I have seen the brokenness of our immigration system. Many families are forced to choose between a rock and a hard place. I've seen families get split up. I've also rejoiced with friends who are granted their work permits. While immigration debates rage on, I continue to see the faces of the statistical and case studies data. We could waste time debating about whether or not undocumented workers should be here. But the reality is that there are 11 million people who are here. And as long as they are in our borders, it is our responsibility to mitigate factors that put them at risk. That's what this bill will do.
That's why it's important that it passes.
As this war wages on, there is another battle to be fought-- another piece of legislation. The next section will discuss it further. But if we're lucky, it's an act that will hopefully never see the light of day on the Congressional floor.
Why is the SAFE Act (HR 2278) Not Safe?*
- It can
subject domestic violence shelters to criminal penalties of up to 5 years for
“harboring” undocumented immigrant victims (as well as go after individuals offering services, a.k.a people like myself and my friends).
- It increases
state/local police enforcement of immigration laws (but does not require
training, nor prevent reporting/arresting victims), so many survivors would not
report crime for fear of deportation.
- It subjects
any undocumented immigrant who entered “without inspection” or violated
admission conditions for ≥90 days to 6 months+ in jail.
- It imposes
other steep criminal penalties – e.g., using a false passport or immigration
papers could mean 15 years in jail, no exceptions (our jails are crowded enough).
- It adds or increases other bars to legal status, and increases detention – including indefinite detention – of documented and undocumented immigrants.
What Can You Do?
First of all, if you're the praying type, you need to pray. Talk to God first before you start talking to other people about it. You can also join in prayer groups, alliances, etc. to pray with others. I'm telling you what... the Spirit of God is on the move. Many churches and Christians have been at the forefront of this fight. In many ways, they're leading the charge-- and it's awesome.
Maybe you're not the praying type, but there are still things you can do. Members of Congress will be back in their districts in August. I'd encourage anyone to go to
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ to find out who their House
Representative is. By going to your rep's website, you can sign up for their newsletters and find out when/where their scheduled appearances will be. Or you can schedule a meeting with other community groups (churches, non-profit organizations, taskforces, etc.) to voice your support for comprehensive immigration reform.
We all know the old adage... "Write your congressman!" Rather than write, I'd encourage you to call. I've called Representative Ed Royce's office twice in the past couple of weeks. The assistant that I talked to on the phone today told me to continue to call on a regular basis. He encouraged me that it really does make a difference-- and you know what, I believe him. So, I'm going to continue to call and I really hope that you'd join me in doing so too.
Well, What Do I Say?!*
You can say something along these lines:
“My name is
___________, and I am calling from [City, State].
I support
comprehensive immigration reform because I care about protecting immigrant
women in their homes and work places from abuse. I urge [Member’s
name] to to advance immigration reform to protect vulnerable immigrants in my
community from abuse and exploitation.”
It doesn't have to be verbatim, but be sure to share why you care. Are you affiliated with a non-profit? A church? A school? Why is this issue so important to you and your community? It's important to be informed about issues, but it is equally important that you share from your heart.
How do we make a change in the world? By being the change we wish to see. Please, be that change.
How do we make a change in the world? By being the change we wish to see. Please, be that change.
Concluding Remarks
Even if you're not a Christian, as Americans, we can all relate to that statement. We know the heart of the immigrant, because we are all immigrants. Their story is our story. It is our right and responsibility to not forget where we came from. Furthermore, it is our duty to make sure that our legal system isn't oppressing those whose voices are unheard. Everyone has voice, but not everyone is heard. Let's do something to change that.
*Information compiled from two sources:
- Report entitled "How Comprehensive Immigration Reform Affects Immigrant Survivors of Violence: Talking Points on the Final Senate Bill and the Road Ahead in the House, July 25, 2013"
- Powerpoint entitled "How Immigration Reform Can Reduce Abuse and Exploitation for Immigrant Women"
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