CWS Interethnic Dialogues on Immigration

Round 2: U.S. Foreign Policy & Effects on Immigration  Action StepsCreate a CT Labor CenterPressure CT Legislators to Stop the Raids! Notes from Round 2 Discussion: AFL-CIO & “Change to Win” (Labor Federations) are coming together for Immigrant Workers’ Rights-         Fighting for Better Immigration Bill: More Humane, Family-Oriented-         Kennedy-McCain Bill: Basically to maintain workers for jobs that Americans don’t want to do (Short-Term Solution)Need to work on message of Globalization: Driving Down Price to Increase ProfitsWhy are people leaving where they came from?-         Address Issues Creating the Problems-         Beyond Immigration Issues-         Forcing International Laws to change for U.S. Interests and driving... Read more »

Interethnic Dialogue on Immigration – Notes from Small Groups Round 1: “Civic Engagement” Action Steps: Expand “Democracy Works” to be available to more places & more peoplea. Find more funding to pay for expansion          - Perhaps, an activity for the Network for Civic Engagement?b. Democracy Works: Basically, “Civics 101”, “Know your Rights 101”        - Teach them to “defend something they already have”    - JUNTA does their classes in Spanishc. Go to places where people already meet (e.g. churches, schools, etc)Promote Parent Engagement in Schools (ConnCAN)a. Better Education for children increases their involvement when they become parents. Notes from Round 1 Discussion: Disseminating Information/Raising Awareness – Who... Read more »

Session One: Conflict between legal and undocumented immigrants What can be done?Try to help both find common ground and understand each other’s situation betterLet legal immigrants know that undocumented immigrants don’t have same language skills, race, economic power, or opportunities (ex. Claire Bien’s family [legal] and her undocumented cousin)Show immigrants that their oppression serves a big business purpose / political agenda.Roots of the conflictIssue is driven by labor/economics, access to services, and not being able to bring over family members legally – builds resentment towards undocumentedHenry Lowendorf / John Jairo Lugo’s example: anti-immigrant rally at City Hall. Two legal immigrants... Read more »

IRIS Dialogue on Immigration                                         July 12, 2007I.  First Agenda Group:  How can we connect immigrants with legal resources? Members of the group:  Chris George, Brenda Cavanaugh, Jennifer Sheridan, Linda Murray, Carole Arnold Action Steps Suggested:  1.  Keep lines of communication open between non-profit groups involved in this work so they can help each other:  Junta – strong grassroots connections with the immigrant community; IRIS – helps refugees fill out necessary paperwork; International Institute (has a list of pro-bono lawyers willing to take immigration cases).  2.  We can talk with a contact person at the local library (Jim Welbourne?) to ask if the... Read more »

Topic 1: Legal Issuesa. Court representation for immigrants facing deportation--especially those in prisonb. Amend Section 249 of the INA registry (would permit legalization of recent undocumented)ACTIONS:a. Encourage participation by law studentsb. Get local universities to focus on immigration c. Urge CHRO to publicize their services to the undocumented (if they refuse, get the undocumented to flood them with complaints)Topic 2: Civic Engagement & Services for Immigrationsa. Education--Stressors that affect the children (language, socio-economic status, self-esteem, etc.)b. Keeping families together safely and productivelyc. Health Care and HousingACTIONS:a. Increase availability of Democracy Worksb. Promote parent engagement in schools (get parents involved on... Read more »