This op-ed, originally published in the New York Times, is co-authored by Andrew Friedman, co-executive director of Make the Road New York, an Alliance affiliate. Every year thousands of immigrants being held on Rikers Island are transferred to federal custody and deported. Only about half of them have a criminal record, many of them areContinue reading “Unfair to Immigrants, Costly to Taxpayers”
Category Archives: immigration
Immigration Victories in Arizona and Beyond
Following the passage of Arizona’s racist, anti-immigrant law SB 1070, there is good news. In the wake of SB 1070, five anti-immigrant bills have been defeated in Arizona. One of the bills defeated included the denial of birth right citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants. But the worst of one of all proposed requiring hospitalsContinue reading “Immigration Victories in Arizona and Beyond”
Montanans Demonstrate Unity Against State Budget Cuts
Over 400 Montanans from across the state, all the way from Ashland to Missoula, converged on the State Capitol in Helena on Monday, February 21, for the first annual Citizens Day at the Capitol, hosted by Alliance for a Just Society affiliate the Montana Organizing Project. Since the state legislative session began in January, MontanaContinue reading “Montanans Demonstrate Unity Against State Budget Cuts”
Community Health Care Clinics Under Attack
Community clinics are an indispensable component of the health care infrastructure in the United States. They are widely regarded as a cost-effective way to provide basic care, saving the health care system billions of dollars every year. Clinics serve over 20 million people in America, and one out of three people in poverty rely onContinue reading “Community Health Care Clinics Under Attack”
Washington CAN! and Allies Testify Against Bill Targeting Undocumented Immigrants
On Thursday, February 3, the Washington State Legislature Transportation Committee held a public hearing on SB 5407, a bill that would take away the ability of undocumented, tax-paying immigrants to obtain Washington state driver licenses. The bill would make people provide a social security number or proof that they are in the US legally toContinue reading “Washington CAN! and Allies Testify Against Bill Targeting Undocumented Immigrants”
Immigration Lessons from a Conservative State: The Utah Compact
In January a delegation of leaders and members of the Alliance for a Just Society went to Salt Lake City, Utah to learn about the Utah Compact. The Utah Compact is a set of principals designed to guide Utah citizens, goverment, and community leaders in speaking about immigration issues in a humane and respectful way.Continue reading “Immigration Lessons from a Conservative State: The Utah Compact”
On the State of the Union: Where Are We Going? A National Mystery
After watching the President’s State of the Union Address, I must confess that I am puzzled. I have no idea where our country is going.
Around the Country, Organizations Show that Language Access in Health Care is a Human Right
During the week of December 6, organizations throughout the country hung banners with the message “Language = Life: Language in Health Care is a Human Right.” They sent a clear message to the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services that language access is right, not a privilege.
Still Hope For The DREAM Act
On December 8, the U.S. House passed the DREAM Act, a measure that would allow thousands of undocumented youth to continue their education and earn a path to citizenship. It has been nine years since the DREAM Act was first introduced in Congress. Now, it seems that the bill has a real chance of passingContinue reading “Still Hope For The DREAM Act”
On Language Access, Holding HHS Accountable to People, Not Insurance Companies
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently creating the regulations that basically put the meat on the bones of this country’s health care reform law. It is the outcome of these rule-making decisions that will determine the success, or failure, of reform. NWFCO, with the Health Rights Organizing Project, has been weighingContinue reading “On Language Access, Holding HHS Accountable to People, Not Insurance Companies”