Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN) Condemns Budget Deal Without a Clean DREAM Act

Media Contact: Erik Schnabel, Development and Communications Manager
Phone Number: 408-453-3003
Email: erik@siren-bayarea.org


SIREN strongly condemns this week’s vote  in the House of Representatives on the budget continuing resolution and the Senate deal  which do not include a clean DREAM Act. The House voted 245-182 for a Continuing Resolution to extend government spending till March 23rd. This vote and the Senate deal continues the uncertainty that many of DACA-recipients and DREAMers particularly because the continuing resolution extends beyond the March 5th deadline to end the DACA program without a legislative solution.

We must remember that this crisis was created by Trump’s own decision to end the DACA program and establish the arbitrary March 5th termination date. Yet, Congress has the responsibility to pass a clean DREAM Act urgently and several California Representatives on both sides of the aisle failed to heed the call of their constituents in their votes. Among the House members who voted for the continuing resolution without a clean DREAM Act include Reps. Jim Costa, Jeff Denham, David Valadao, Devin Nunes, and John Garamendi. We want to acknowledge House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and all the representatives who participated in a filibuster of the House legislation by sharing stories of DREAMers and for their push to have Speaker Paul Ryan to commit to bring a vote on the DREAM Act. .

Last Friday, SIREN led an action and meeting with Rep. David Valadao’s office in Hanford, CA urging him to address the situation of DREAMers. But he clearly chose to ignore the voices of DACA-recipients, DREAMers, and immigrants from his district calling for him to withhold his vote on the continuing resolution and condemn anti-immigrant proposals on the table . SIREN Executive Director Maricela Gutiérrez stated, “ We have various members of Congress in California who voted with their conscience and withheld their approval of the continuing resolution. Yet, other Members of Congress and the current Senate deal cannot continue to ignore the DREAMers that live in their district nor brush aside calls to address the future of these young people who are making a difference in their communities. We urge California’s Senators and members of Congress to withhold their support of any deal that does not include a clean DREAM Act.”


Red de Servicios, Derechos de Inmigrantes y Red Educativa (SIREN) condena el Voto de la Cámara de Representantes y el Senado sobre la resolución continua sin una Acta de DREAM limpia

Para más información contacte a: 
Erik Schnabel, Gerente de Desarrollo y Comunicaciones con SIREN
Tel. (408) 453-3003
erik@siren-bayarea.org


SIREN condena enérgicamente el voto de ayer en la Cámara de Representantes sobre la resolución continua del presupuesto y el trato del Senado hoy sin incluir una Acta de DREAM limpia. La Cámara votó 245-182 por una Resolución Continua para extender el gasto del gobierno hasta el 23 de marzo. Este voto y el acuerdo del Senado continúan la incertidumbre que muchos de los beneficiarios de DACA y DREAMers particularmente porque la resolución continua se extiende más allá de la fecha límite del 5 de marzo para terminar el programa de DACA sin una solución legislativa.

Debemos recordar que esta crisis fue creada por la propia decisión de Trump de finalizar el programa DACA y establecer la fecha arbitraria de finalización del 5 de marzo. Sin embargo, el Congreso tiene la responsabilidad de aprobar una Acta de DREAM limpia con urgencia y varios Representantes de California en ambos lados del pasillo no respondieron el llamado de sus electores en sus votaciones. Entre los miembros de la Cámara que votaron por la resolución continua sin una Acta de DREAM limpia están los representantes Jim Costa, Jeff Denham, David Valadao, Devin Nunes y John Garamendi. Queremos agradecer a la líder de la minoría de la Cámara, Nancy Pelosi, y a todos los representantes que participaron en una obstrucción de la legislación de la Cámara al compartir historias de DREAMers y por su presión para que el Rep. Paul Ryan se comprometa a votar el DREAM Act. .

El viernes pasado, SIREN dirigió una acción y se reunió con la oficina del Representante David Valadao en Hanford, California, instándolo a abordar la situación de los Soñadores. Pero él claramente optó por ignorar las voces de los destinatarios de DACA, los DREAMers y los inmigrantes de su distrito que lo llamaban para que rehusara su voto sobre la resolución continua y condenara las propuestas anti-inmigrantes sobre la mesa. La Directora Ejecutiva de SIREN, Maricela Gutiérrez, declaró: "Tenemos varios miembros del Congreso en California que votaron con su conciencia y no aprobaron la resolución continua. Sin embargo, otros miembros del Congreso y el actual acuerdo del Senado no pueden seguir ignorando a los DREAMers que viven en su distrito ni ignorar los llamados a abordar el futuro de estos jóvenes que están haciendo una diferencia en sus comunidades. "El Senado votará en breve sobre su acuerdo y luego se trasladará a la Cámara. Instamos a los senadores y miembros del Congreso de California a que no envíen su apoyo a ningún acuerdo que no incluya un Acta de DREAM limpia."

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN) Condemns White House Announcement to Not Extend DACA Deadline and Plan to Create of a National Vetting Center

Media Contact: Erik Schnabel, 
Development and Communications Manager
Phone Number: 415-377-0387
Email: erik@siren-bayarea.org


SIREN strongly condemns the news out of Washington DC today that Chief of Staff John Kelly has said that the White House will not extend the deadline for a legislative solution to the end of DACA beyond March 5th because, as Kelly stated, he’s “not sure this president has the authority to extend it”. In the same discussion with reporters, Kelly stated that President Trump will sign a presidential memo authorizing a “National Vetting Center” creating a physical location with rigorous screening for all foreign visitors, refugees, and others entering the U.S. as well as certain individuals currently in the country.

With the decision not to extend DACA beyond March 5th, it is clear that Trump is once again playing games with DREAMers while they anxiously wait for a legislative solution. SIREN Executive Director Maricela Gutierrez stated, “It’s become evident to anyone watching the situation that Trump is trying to sabotage negotiations in order to not find a solution to his own ending of DACA. Trump is clearly not negotiating in good faith and continues to appeal to his racist base by ensuring there is no legislation to address this situation created by him. It’s clear through numerous court cases that the President does have the authority to both support legislative solutions for DREAMers and also extend the deadline, but he is deliberately choosing not to. It’s politics at its worst!”

SIREN also condemns the new plan from Trump to create a “National Vetting Center”  as unnecessary and counter to American values. Contrary to Trump’s continuing assertion that there needs to be “extreme vetting”, visa applicants and refugees who have been approved for entry, already go through rigorous procedures to be allowed to enter the country. Refugees especially, go through a long and cumbersome process that can take years before they are approved for resettlement in the U.S. SIREN Executive Director Maricela Gutierrez stated, “It’s clear that Trump has no interest in finding a clear and humane process to address the problems with the current visa and refugee system. Instead, he’s completely fine with throwing away our country’s values in order to score cheap political points with his base, even when his ideas have no basis in reality and are filled with lies.”

Please support SIREN's advocacy work and DONATE HERE

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network


Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN) condena
Anuncio de la Casa Blanca de no ampliar la fecha límite de DACA y planear la creación de un centro nacional de investigación


Contacto con los medios: Erik Schnabel, Gerente de desarrollo y comunicaciones
Número de teléfono: 415-377-0387
Correo electrónico:  erik@siren-bayarea.org


SIREN condena firmemente las noticias de Washington DC, que el jefe de personal John Kelly ha dicho que la Casa Blanca no extenderá la fecha límite para una solución legislativa al final de DACA después del 5 de marzo porque, como dijo Kelly, “no está seguro de que este presidente tienga la autoridad para extenderlo ". En la misma discusión con los reporteros, Kelly declaró que el presidente Trump firmará un memorando presidencial autorizando un "Centro Nacional de Vetting" creando un lugar físico con una selección rigurosa para todos los visitantes extranjeros, refugiados y otras personas que ingresen a los EE. UU.


Con la decisión de no extender DACA más allá del 5 de marzo, está claro que Trump está jugando nuevamente con los SOÑADORES mientras esperan ansiosamente una solución legislativa. La directora ejecutiva de SIREN, Maricela Gutiérrez, declaró: "Es evidente para cualquiera que ve la situación, que Trump está tratando de sabotear las negociaciones para no encontrar una solución a su propia finalización de DACA. Trump claramente no está negociando de buena fe y continúa apelando a su base racista al asegurar que no haya legislación para abordar esta situación creada por él. Está claro a través de numerosos casos judiciales que el presidente tiene la autoridad para apoyar soluciones legislativas para SOÑADORES y también extender el plazo, pero deliberadamente elige no hacerlo. ¡Es la política en su peor momento!”


SIREN también condena el nuevo plan de Trump para crear un "Centro Nacional de Vetting" como innecesario y contrario a los valores estadounidenses. Contrariamente a la afirmación continua de Trump de que es necesario que haya una "investigación exhaustiva", los solicitantes de visas y los refugiados que han sido aprobados para ingresar, ya pasan por procedimientos rigurosos para poder ingresar al país. Los refugiados, especialmente, atraviesan un proceso largo y engorroso que puede tomar años antes de que se apruebe su reasentamiento en los EE. UU. La directora ejecutiva de SIREN, Maricela Gutiérrez, declaró: "Está claro que Trump no tiene interés en encontrar un proceso claro y humano para abordar los problemas con el actual sistema de visas y refugiados. En cambio, está completamente cómodo con tirar los valores de nuestro país para anotar puntos políticos baratos con su base, incluso cuando sus ideas no tienen ninguna base en la realidad y están llenas de mentiras ."



Por favor apoye el trabajo de SIREN y DONE AQUÍ

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network

Foro Comunitario sobre Inmigración con la Patrulla de Caminos de California

Para publicación inmediata:
6 de febrero del 2018
Contacto: Erik Schnabel,
Development & Communications Manager
Erik@siren-bayarea.org
(415) 377-0387 o (408) 453-3003

 

CONSULTIVO DE MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN
martes, 6 de febrero del 2018
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Foro Comunitario sobre Inmigración con la Patrulla de Caminos de California



San José, CA - La actual administración federal ha creado miedo entre nuestra comunidad inmigrante. Los miembros de la comunidad temen caer en manos de la migra  cuando se acercan a las escuelas de sus hijos, clínicas de salud comunitarias o agentes de la ley. SIREN con la Patrulla de Caminos de California (CHP) quiere informar a la comunidad inmigrante de las políticas actuales de la agencia en lo que se refiere a los inmigrantes. Existe una distinción entre la policía local y los funcionarios del estado de California y es importante que nuestra comunidad tome conciencia de la diferencia.
El martes 6 de febrero de 2018, los líderes inmigrantes de SIREN organizará un foro comunitario con CHP en la Escuela Primaria Los Árboles en San José. El foro brindará a la comunidad la oportunidad de aprender y hacer preguntas sobre las políticas de CHP relacionadas con la inmigración y cómo se relacionan con los inmigrantes. Los oficiales de CHP también compartirán información sobre el papel de CHP como agencia de aplicación de la ley.
El foro comenzará con una mesa redonda seguida de preguntas y respuestas.
Los Líderes Inmigrantes de SIREN estarán disponibles para entrevistas con los medios.

QUIÉN: Líderes inmigrantes y oficiales de la Patrulla de Caminos de California
QUÉ: Foro con la comunidad con la Patrulla de Caminos de California para explorar las pólizas de el Camino de Patrulla en relación con inmigración, informar a la comunidad sobre sus servicios y su papel como funcionarios estatales.
CUÁNDO: martes, 6 de febrero de 2018 empezando a las 6:00 PM a 8:00 PM

DÓNDE: Escuela Primaria Los Árboles, 455 Calle Los Arboles, San Jose, CA 95111
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Por favor considere una donación a SIREN: www.siren-bayarea.org


For Immediate Release: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Contact: Erik Schnabel, Development & Communications Manager
Erik@siren-bayarea.org
(415) 377-0387 or (408) 453-3003

 


**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Immigrant Community Forum with California Highway Patrol


San José, CA -- The current federal administration has created fear among our immigrant community. Local community members are fearful of falling in the hands of Immigration, Customs, Enforcement (ICE)  when approaching their children’s schools, community health clinics or law enforcement officers. SIREN with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants to inform the immigrant community of the agency’s current policies as it relates to immigrants. There is a distinction between local law enforcement and California State officers and it is important that our community becomes aware of the difference. 

On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, SIREN immigrant leaders will host a community forum with CHP at Los Arboles Elementary School in San Jose. The forum will provide the community the opportunity to learn and ask questions about CHP policies relating  to immigration and how they deal with immigrants. Officers from CHP will also share information about CHP’s role as a law enforcement agency. 

The forum will begin with panel discussion followed by Q&A. 

SIREN’s Immigrant Grassroots Leaders will be available for media interviews. 

WHO: Immigrant leaders and community members and California Highway Patrol Officers

WHAT: Community forum with California Highway Patrol to explore CHP policies in relation to immigration, inform the community about their services and role as state officers. 

WHEN: Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 6:00 PM -8:00 PM

WHERE: Los Arboles Elementary School, 455 Los Arboles St, San Jose, CA 95111

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Please consider a donation to SIREN:  

www.siren-bayarea.org

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network
http://siren.nationbuilder.com/

SIREN January 2018 Newsletter

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One year has passed since the start of the new administration. The attacks on immigrants and refugees have been non-stop with a level of racism and cruelty that we could not have imagined. Fear-mongering and the demonization of immigrants are at the core of this administration’s agenda. As you may have read, the White House’s newly released immigration proposal aims to dismantle our current immigration, using the future of DREAMers as a bargaining chip.  

We cannot allow for this.   

The President’s State of the Union address underscores an immigration agenda that seeks to criminalize members of our community and make even more impossible the process to immigrate to the United States.  

We cannot stand for this. 

This past week, Holocaust Remembrance Day (on January 27) calls on us to remember a time when millions were persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime. We are also reminded of the many brave, self-less individuals who stood up and put their lives on the line to save the lives of strangers. Their sacrifices give us strength and courage.  

Today we ask you once again to stand with SIREN and the people we serve. Immigrants and refugees are the heart and soul of our great nation. Their hard work, sacrifices, and dreams have fueled this country from our inception.  

Join SIREN as a member. Join us a monthly donor. Become an ally or volunteer. We must confront the harsh realities of today and fight like never before. 

In community spirit, 
Maricela Gutiérrez
Executive Director

 

TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS (TPS) UPDATE 

 

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 As you may have heard, the Trump Administration has announced that it will be ending Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for people from El Salvador, Haiti and Nicaragua. Regrettably, it will be making announcements on other TPS countries over the coming weeks. We urge individuals currently protected under TPS to contact SIREN to speak with one of our legal experts as soon as possible. Filing renewal paperwork on time is very important. 

Salvadorans can renew their TPS for one more period of authorization. The deadline to submit their application is March 19, 2018. SIREN will be holding legal clinics on February 25 and March 3 from 10am-3pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe church at 2020 E. San Antonio St. in San Jose. Please RSVP to: info@siren-bayarea.org

SIREN will charge $100 to help with TPS renewal applications and people are requested to register for an appointment by calling SIREN at (408) 453-3017.   

When attending the clinics, people should bring the following:

  1. Photocopy of their expired permit. 
  2. Two passport photos. 
  3. Paperwork on any criminal charges they may be facing. 
  4. Any registration and paperwork received from immigration. 
  5. A check or money order made out to “US Department of Homeland Security” for $85 if just applying for Temporary Protective Status; or $495 if applying for Temporary Protective Status and Work Authorization. 

 

SUPPORT DACA YOUTH LIKE LIZBETH 

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Lizbeth attends the University of California Santa Cruz where she is pursuing a double major in Sociology and Art. She is a Dreamer driven by the need to help her family, and the belief that every person should be treated with dignity, respect, and deserves basic rights and protections. 

Lizbeth, like thousands of other young people, in our community are living in fear, not knowing what the future holds. Help us alleviate the tremendous burden on their shoulders by helping SIREN raise funds for DACA application fees.  We cannot let this be a barrier for Dreamers. 

We invite you to donate today.  

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

 

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Clean Dream Act Central Valley Action

Friday, February 2, 2018

4:00 pm to 5:30 pm 

1108 Irwin Street,  Suite 110B, Hanford, CA 93230

 

Community Forum / Foro Comunitario

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 

Los Arboles Elementary, 455 Los Arboles Street,  San Jose, CA 95111

 

Citizenship and DACA Workshops

Thursday, February 15, 2018

3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

1110 Tucker Ave, Sanger, CA 93657

 

Friday, February 16, 2018

4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

1282 Belmont Ave, Mendota, CA 93640

 

Sunday, February 25, 2018 & Saturday, March 3, 2018

10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 2020 E. San Antonio Street,  San Jose, CA 95116

 

TPS Clinics / Clinicas de Beneficios de TPS

Sunday, February 25, 2018 & Saturday, March 3, 2018

10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 2020 E. San Antonio Street,  San Jose, CA 95116

 

FREE Citizenship Clinics / Clínicas de Ciudadanía Gratuitas

Wednesday, February 21 & March 21, 2018

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

SIREN Office, 1415 Koll Street,  San Jose, CA 95112

 

FREE Weekly DACA Clinics every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in San Jose. No appointment is necessary.  

FREE Weekly Legal Consultation Clinics every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in San Jose. No appointment is necessary.  

 

JOIN SIREN'S RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK

 

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CONNECT WITH US

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Immigrants, DREAMers Gather for State of the Union Watch Party

Contact: Jeremy Barousse
Director of Civic Engagement, SIREN
jeremy@siren-bayarea.org
(408) 460-5807


**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

6:00 PM

Immigrants, DREAMers Gather for State of the Union Watch Party

After a year of anti-immigrant policies by the White House, Immigrants Share Their Experience in a year of Trump, reaction to State of the Union address


SAN JOSE -- On Tuesday, January 30th immigrants, DREAMers and allies will gather at the office of Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) in San Jose to watch and react to Donald Trump’s first State of the Union. In his first year in office, Trump has advanced a white nationalist agenda that includes ending DACA and TPS for millions of immigrants, an unconstitutional travel ban on mostly Muslim countries, and has continued to demand billions of dollars for a ridiculous border wall.

Maricela Gutiérrez, Executive Director of SIREN said, “In the last year, Donald Trump has created a reign of terror for immigrant families. With his executive orders on immigration, the Muslim Ban, and termination of TPS and the DACA programs, he has clearly laid out his racist and anti-immigrant agenda. It is up to the community to push back against these hateful policies.”


 

WHAT: STATE OF THE UNION WATCH PARTY

WHO: Immigrants, DREAMers, Allies

WHEN: Tuesday, January 30 at 6pm

WHERE: SIREN Office located at 1415 Koll Cir. Suite 108, San Jose, 95112
 

Statement on White House Immigration Policy

After reviewing initial reports of the White House immigration proposal, SIREN condemns in strong terms what President Trump is proposing. Even though the White House won’t officially discuss it’s immigration proposal until Monday, it has confirmed the suggestions of what will be included to the media. In the confirmed detail, President Trump is proposing to offer a path to citizenship for up to 1.8 million DREAMers, including the more than 800,000 DACA recipients who had seen their legal status put into jeopardy by President Trump’s ending of the program. Furthermore, President Trump's proposal seeks to provide relief to these undocumented young people by criminalizing their parents and refusing to extend a path to citizenship for their family members; ending the diversity visa program; ending certain family-based immigration routes which allows people to sponsor their immediate family; making the already insurmountable political asylum process even harder to achieve; hiring thousands of more Border Patrol agents and ICE officers with even fewer hiring standards or processes of accountability; and of course, building a $25 billion border wall that will be completely ineffective. Any one of these proposals is unacceptable, but together as a package, it is clear that President Trump is trying to bargain the future of DREAMers for acceptance of his worst immigration proposals. SIREN’s Executive Director, Maricela Gutiérrez,  “It is beyond a reasonable doubt, an unacceptable political game that seeks to trade a future for DREAMers to pander to the worst elements of his base with racist, white supremacists immigration policies that have repeatedly been debunked and proven to be ineffective. SIREN strongly condemns this horrible proposal to rewrite the immigration system through racist policy, unfounded political rhetoric, and failed ideas." The future of DREAMers is not something that can be traded in a political card game, especially through offering proposals that are unacceptable and represent the worst elements of a racist, right-wing policy that seeks to criminalize members of our community and make even more impossible the process to immigrate to the United States.


Después de revisar los informes iniciales de la propuesta de inmigración de la Casa Blanca, SIREN condena en términos enérgicos lo que el presidente Trump está proponiendo. Aunque la Casa Blanca no discutirá oficialmente su propuesta de inmigración hasta el lunes, ha confirmado las sugerencias de lo que se incluirá en los medios. En el detalle confirmado, el presidente Trump propone ofrecer un camino a la ciudadanía para hasta 1.8 millones de DREAMers, incluidos los más de 800,000 beneficiarios de DACA que vieron peligrar su estatus legal por el final del programa del presidente Trump. Además, la propuesta del presidente Trump busca brindar alivio a estos jóvenes indocumentados al criminalizar a sus padres y negarse a extender el camino a la ciudadanía para los miembros de sus familias; poner fin al programa de visas de diversidad; poner fin a ciertas rutas de inmigración basadas en la familia que permite a las personas patrocinar a su familia inmediata; hacer que el ya insospechable proceso de asilo político sea aún más difícil de lograr; contratar a miles de agentes de la Patrulla Fronteriza y oficiales de ICE con aún menos estándares de contratación o procesos de responsabilidad; y, por supuesto, construir un muro fronterizo de $25 mil millones que será completamente ineficaz. Cualquiera de estas propuestas es inaceptable, pero juntas como un paquete, está claro que el presidente Trump está tratando de negociar el futuro de DREAMers para la aceptación de sus peores propuestas de inmigración. La Directora Ejecutiva de SIREN, Maricela Gutiérrez, comento "Es más que una duda razonable, un juego político inaceptable que busca cambiar el futuro de los DREAMers para complacer a los peores elementos de su base con políticas de inmigración racistas y supremacistas blancas que han sido desacreditadas y comprobadas repetidamente ser ineficaz. SIREN condena enérgicamente esta horrible propuesta de reescribir el sistema de inmigración a través de una política racista, una retórica política infundada e ideas fallidas." El futuro de DREAMers no es algo que se pueda intercambiar en un juego de cartas políticas, especialmente ofreciendo propuestas que son inaceptables y representan los peores elementos de una política racista y de derecha que busca criminalizar a los miembros de nuestra comunidad y hacer aún más imposible el proceso para inmigrar a los Estados Unidos.

 

 

Federal Government Shutdown As Anti-Immigrant Members of Congress Endorse Racism

 

Media Contact: Erik Schnabel, Development and Communications Manager

Phone Number: 415-377-0387

Email: erik@siren-bayarea.org

 

Tonight, the U.S. Senate voted to shut down the government because the anti-immigrant wing of Congress caved into Trump’s white supremacist agenda. The government’s fundamental job is to keep our country running for American families and communities. Yet, rather than fulfilling these basic duties, Trump and his supporters in Congress chose to allow their hatred against immigrants and children needing health care dictate budget negotiations. Throughout the continuing resolution debate, indeed emblematic of his past year in office, Trump has poisoned all political debate with racism and cruelty. Even though, Trump’s anti-people of color agenda comes directly from the playbook and at the bidding of hate groups, too many members of Congress have failed to stand up to him. And the consequences are serious for all Americans.


“What we need are legislative solutions from a mature leadership in Congress to address real problems caused by Trump’s hand. We must not forget that putting DREAMers in the position of having no certainty in their lives right now was the White House’s own making. Shutting down the government was entirely avoidable but they instead chose to play politics with the real lives of immigrant youth and their families. This shutdown is about nothing less than Trump’s extremism and anti-immigrant lawmakers spinelessness in the face of racism,” said Maricela Gutiérrez, Executive Director of Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN).
 
Many members of Congress from California, including Senators Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein, voted with their conscience tonight. In the days ahead, SIREN urges members of Congress to commit to finding a solution by passing a budget and a clean DREAM Act. Let’s hope in the coming days that we are able to actually make this happen and a vote can be had on the future of DREAMers, children, and immigrant families impacted by this.

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network
http://siren.nationbuilder.com/

 

 

We Demand a Clean Dream Act

SIREN has been working relentlessly for a Clean Dream Act. Just this past week, SIREN leaders were in Washington, DC along with hundreds of other activists in the largest showing of civil disobedience in immigrant rights history. Maricela Gutierrez, SIREN’s Executive Director, was arrested in Washington, DC as she and hundreds of immigrant rights leaders demonstrated their unwavering commitment to fight for justice.

While SIREN staff and youth leaders represented Northern California in Washington, DC to fight for a #CleanDREAMAct, SIREN also led an action in Modesto with partners at Rep. Jeff Denham's office in Modesto. We delivered nearly 1,000 postcards and sang some holiday carols to support a CLEAN DREAM Act before the end of the year!

Here are two news articles about SIREN’s advocacy efforts:


Mercury News, 12/6/2017
Immigration activists push Congress to act on DACA

Daily Kos, 12/6/2017
Two members of Congress among the over 200 demonstrators arrested in support of Dreamers

#SIRENCARES Holiday Giving Campaign

The holidays are a special time to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. For many immigrants and refugees in our community, it is a time of sadness and anxiety, as many families have been torn apart. Many fear the malicious political environment that threatens their lives every day. 

SIREN’s work, helping immigrant and refugee families, has never been needed as much as today. We are working around the clock providing free legal services, pushing for more just public policy, and strengthening our community’s grassroots leadership.

During this holiday season, we ask for you to consider making a donation to our holiday campaign #SIRENCARES. Your generous donation will support continued policy advocacy, leadership development, and free legal consultations to keep families together this holiday season and all year-round.


If you would like to get involved and make a difference today, here are a few ways that you can help:

• You can donate here: https://siren.nationbuilder.com/donate
• You can raise money by organizing a fundraiser - online or in other traditional ways.
• You can share SIREN’s Facebook posts about holiday giving with your friends, family and community and encourage them to give.

Thank you for your kind consideration and your on-going support of the work we do. Together, we can make a difference.

SIREN’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Decisions regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

President Trump’s decision to eliminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nicaraguans and leave Hondurans in limbo is the personification of evil as these families will be forced to return to countries where they are in extreme danger of violence. 

This week, the Department of Homeland Security decided to terminate TPS for nearly 3,000 Nicaraguan nationals and leaves 57,000 Honduran nationals to face uncertainty for another 6 months. In addition, more than 50,000 Haitians will be stripped of work authorization and prioritized for deportation when their TPS expires.


In light of Trump’s clear pattern of treating anyone who is not White as not being Americans, we urge Congress to intervene. This is imperative, not solely on a moral level, but also on an economic level. These very families facing expulsion from the United States are the very families that make up the fabric of this country and support the nation’s economy to make our nation the strongest. The bedrock of the United States is welcoming those seeking protection from turmoil in their home countries. 

As activists, we will not stand by idly as the current federal administration works feverishly to return the United States to era hearkening back to Jim Crow. Regardless of political ideology, the fight for immigrants is a fight for the future of our nation.

Information Regarding Trump's DACA Announcement

UPDATED: September 5th, 2017

The latest we received on DACA Announcement
 

EMBARGOED UNTIL AFTER AG REMARKS ARE DELIVERED ON SEPT. 5

Press Office
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Press Release

September 5, 2017
Contact: DHS Press Office, (202) 282-8010
RESCISSION OF DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (“DACA”)
WASHINGTON –
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated the orderly wind down of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). “This Administration’s decision to terminate DACA was not taken lightly. The Department of Justice has carefully evaluated the program’s Constitutionality and determined it conflicts with our existing immigration laws,” said Acting Secretary Elaine Duke. “As a result of recent litigation, we were faced with two options: wind the program down in an orderly fashion that protects beneficiaries in the near-term while working with Congress to pass legislation; or allow the judiciary to potentially shut the program down completely and immediately. We chose the least disruptive option. “With the measures the Department is putting in place today, no current beneficiaries will be impacted before March 5, 2018, nearly six months from now, so Congress can have time to deliver on appropriate legislative solutions. However, I want to be clear that no new initial requests or associated applications filed after today will be acted on.”

On June 29, the attorneys general of Texas and several other states sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asserting that the DACA program is unlawful for the same reasons stated in the Fifth Circuit and district court opinions regarding an expansion of the DACA program and the now rescinded program known as Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). The letter noted that if DHS did not rescind the June 2012 DACA memo by September 5, 2017, the states would seek to amend the DAPA lawsuit to include a challenge to DACA. Yesterday, Attorney General Sessions sent a letter to Acting Secretary Duke articulating his legal determination that DACA “was effectuated by the previous administration through executive action, without proper statutory authority and with no established end-date, after Congress' repeated rejection of proposed legislation that would have accomplished a similar result. Such an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the Executive Branch.” The letter further stated that because DACA “has the same legal and constitutional defects that the courts recognized as to DAPA, it is likely that potentially imminent litigation would yield similar results with respect to DACA.” Nevertheless, in light of the administrative complexities associated with ending the program, he recommended that the Department wind down the program in an efficient and orderly fashion, and his office has reviewed the terms on which the Department will do so.

Based on guidance from Attorney General Sessions, and the likely result of potentially imminent litigation, Acting Secretary Elaine Duke today issued a memo formally rescinding the June 15, 2012 memorandum that created DACA, and initiating an orderly wind down of the program. This process will limit disruption to current DACA beneficiaries while providing time for Congress to seek a legislative solution. The details are contained in Acting Secretary Duke’s September 5 memorandum, and in our Frequently Asked Questions.

For Immediate Release: September 5, 2017

 


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Immigrant Community Members Outraged at DACA Termination, Speak Out With Response

Donald Trump Lacks Moral Character and Sides with White Supremacists, Community Leaders to Hold Action Urging Congress to Take Action

(SAN JOSE, CA) — On September 5, 2017, the White House announced the sunset of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in six months.

“This cruel action by Trump is nothing less than heartless and it confirms our worst fears. By shattering the lives and the dreams of nearly a million young people, he has clearly chosen to side with nativists and white supremacists. While Trump has fallen on the wrong side of history, immigrant youth and their families will continue to fight back. Our eyes remain not only on Trump to reverse his intent to undo the program but also turn towards Congress to take swift legislative action on the DREAM Act” said SIREN Executive Director Maricela Gutierrez.

DACA has allowed undocumented youth to contribute to their communities, to work, to go to school and to live their lives without fear of being ripped away from their families, and from a country they consider home. They are human beings who deserve dignity and respect as their neighbors, friends, fellow students or co-workers.

While we continue to fight for DACA and all undocumented immigrants, it is important that DACA-recipients keep the following in mind:

  • If the program ends but DACA-recipients are allowed to keep their work permits, you have the right to work legally until your work permit expires

  • Even if the program ends, you have no obligation to inform your employer that DACA has ended; your employer does not have the right to ask whether you are a DACA-recipient or how you got your work permit

  • Your employer does not have the right to fire you until after your work permit expires; if your expiration date is nearing, your employer may ask you for an updated work permit but cannot take any action against you until after it expires

  • Your Social Security Number is valid for life, even if your work permit or DACA expires

  • If you have a regular driver’s license and it expires after the program is terminated, you can still apply for an AB 60 driver’s license

  • If you are outside the US on advance parole, return as soon as possible

  • Seek trusted legal advice, especially if you are thinking of leaving the country, would like to be screened for other potential immigration benefits, or if you have encountered any criminal issues since receiving DACA

  • Remind yourself of your rights with ICE

  • If you have any questions, contact SIREN for an appointment or visit our weekly Thursday clinics for a free consultation at our offices

While our hearts are broken at this moment, our spirit is on fire. We will not forget—not today, not tomorrow, not ever. And we will fight back with everything we have. We will not stop until our families are safe and until the country reflects the beloved community we desire.

With six months until the program is expected to end, our fight will intensify now more than ever. We urge community members to weigh in with your members of Congress to call upon Trump to reverse his decision and to also push for robust legislation that will put DACA-recipients and undocumented immigrants on a path to citizenship. Specifically, we call upon members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to support the DREAM Act and the American Hope Act which will provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth. Community members and allies are invited to join us for a press conference/action to stand with DACA-recipients and urge the White House and Congress to take action to support immigrant youth and their families.

WHAT: DACA Response Action

WHEN: TBD [2 hours after Trump’s Announcement]

WHERE: Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 150 E. San Antonio St. San Jose, 95112

News reports that Trump will announce on Tuesday the termination of DACA program in 6 months


IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:

This is not an official announcement, just media reports; we do not know what exactly the announcement will include; currently, DACA is still in effect DACA-recipients keep the following in mind in the event DACA is revoked:

  • If the program ends but DACA-recipients are allowed to keep their work permits, you have the right to work legally until your work permit expires
  • Even if the program ends, you have no obligation to inform your employer that DACA has ended; your employer does not have the right to ask whether you are a DACA-recipient or how you got your work permit
  • Your employer does not have the right to fire you until after your work permit expires; if your expiration date is nearing, your employer may ask you for an updated work permit but cannot take any action against you until after it expires
  • Your Social Security Number is valid for life, even if your work permit or DACA expires
  • If you have a regular driver’s license and it expires after the program is terminated, you can still apply for an AB 60 driver’s license
  • If you are outside the US on advance parole, return as soon as possible
  • Seek trusted legal advice, especially if you are thinking of leaving the country, would like to be screened for other potential immigration benefits, or if you have encountered any criminal issues since receiving DACA
  • Remind yourself of your rights with ICE
  • If you have any questions, contact SIREN for an appointment or visit our weekly Thursday clinics for a free consultation at our offices
  • You can find out more information by visiting https://www.ilrc.org/what-do-i-need-know-if-daca-program-en…
  • Continue to call the White House urging Trump to keep DACA by calling 202-456-1414 and call your member of Congress urging them to support the DREAM Act
  • Attend our press conference and action in San Jose at the MLK Library located at 150 E. San Fernando St. shortly after the announcement. Time still TBD.
  • Come out to our action in Fresno on Tuesday Sept. 5 at 4pm at the Federal Building located at 2500 Tulare St.


 

Stay informed about upcoming actions and policy updates by joining SIREN's Action Rapid Response Network:

Allies: text SIREN to: 918-609-4480

Comunidad/Community Members text SIREN  to:  201-468-6088