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Immigration

 

April 23, 2010: Arizona Passes Harsh Anti-Immigrant Legislation. On Friday April 23, Republican Gov. of Arizona Jan Brewer signed state Senate Bill 1070, the "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.” The bill is perhaps the most blatantly anti-immigrant in the country and has caused outrage both in the U.S. and internationally. It is not only unconstitutional, (immigration policy must be a uniform policy nation-wide), but also takes a step in turning Arizona into an anti-immigrant police state that legalizes racial profiling. Read full article.

April 6, 2010(Univisión - EFE): The US deported 5,665 undocumented Guatemalans in the first trimester of 2010. Immigration authorities of the United States deported 5,665 undocumented Guatemalans in the first trimester of 2010, informed an official source today,11.8 percent less in relation to the same period of 2009.
According to the information of the Main directorate of Migración (DGM), published on its web page, during the month of March, 2,054 illegal immigrants were repatriated. Between January and March of last year a total of 6,427 undocumented Guatemalan people were deported from the northern country.
During 2009 US immigration authorities deported 27,222 Guatemalans, less than the figure of 28,051 that was registered in 2008, according to the official statistics. There are approximately 1.2 million Guatemalans in the U.S., an estimated 60 percent undocumented.  

December 15, 2009: Immigration reform bill introduced. Comprehensive immigration reform was introduced to the House of Representatives on December 15, 2009. The bill, Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security Act and Prosperity” (CIR A.S.A.P.) was introduced by Congressman Luis Gutiérrez and representatives from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian and Pacific Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Among its goals to reform the United States’ immigration system, the bill aims to protect workers, keep families together, and promote national security while ensuring that the U.S. stays true to its values as a nation of immigrants. CIR A.S.A.P. comes at a time when economic reform is a national priority, and will aid in that reform by restoring fairness to the labor market and recognizing the contributions of immigrant workers and families.
If you would like to encourage the White House to pass immigration reform, the number to call is 1-866-974-8813.
Read more: Feet in Two Worlds (blog), Luis Gutiérrez on Huffington Post

December 9, 2009: Preparations begin for battle over immigration reform. Pro-immigrant groups forecast the next 100 days as keys to determining the future of migration reform and the fate of 800,000 undocumented Guatemalans in the US. It is thought that Luis Gutiérrez will present his migration reform initiative at the end of December. Pro-immigrant groups in the US have been lobbying congress and claim to have identified 279 votes in favor of reforming immigration law. Colom has pledged to visit the US if need be. [Prensa Libre]

November 10, 2009: Guatemala advocates for humane immigration reform. Guatemalan foreign minister Haroldo Rodas presents recommendations to include in creating immigration reform legislation. The proposal was created with input from immigrant networks in the U.S., including Guatemalans and Salvadorans, and stresses the need for stronger, more flexible and humane mechanisms to protect migrants. [Prensa Libre]

September 10, 2009: Guatemalan town full of deportees from the US. An increase in raids inside the United States against undocumented migrants has led to a huge number of deportees returning to Guatemala not knowing what they will do to survive. The majority of the workers discussed were working in New Bedford in factories sewing and making military products. The factories in New Bedford had been suspected of false documentation since 2002, due to similar identification numbers used in the social security cards. The raids began in 2007. [albedrío]

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