Center for Intercultural Organizing
Media Contact: Kayse Jama
kayse@interculturalorganizing.org
http://www.interculturalorganizing.org
More Information: (503) 287-4117

IMMIGRATION FORUM
Learning from the Past - Struggling for the Future

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2006
7:00 PM, SEIU Local 49
3536 SE 26th Avenue, Portland

HELP DEFEND IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS
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Every wave of immigration into the United States has faced fear and hostility, especially during times of economic hardship, political turmoil, or war:

• In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, one of our nation's first immigration laws, to keep out all people of Chinese origin
• During the "Red Scare" of the 1920s, thousands of foreign-born people suspected of political radicalism were arrested and brutalized; many were deported without a hearing.
• In 1942, 120,000 Americans of Japanese descent were interned in camps until the end of World War II

The current "War on Terror" has unfairly targeted all immigrants, refugees and asylees, but especially those from Muslim countries and from Latin America. Now, a wide-reaching anti-immigrant piece of legislation is again before our nation. The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 (HR 4437)--also referred to as the "Sensenbrenner Bill"--passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 16, 2005. It goes to the Senate for approval in March. Among other provisions, the bill:

• Criminalizes millions of immigrants - anyone in the U.S. without legal documents would be subject not only to deportation but imprisonment as well
• Greatly expands the definition of smuggling in a way that could severely penalize innocent acts of kindness and daily, casual contacts that many Americans have with undocumented immigrants, such as providing transportation and so on
• Greatly expands mandatory detention and expedited removal, potentially imprisoning millions of persons and generating huge costs
• Mandates a broad-reaching employment verification system that requires employers to retroactively verify the employment status of employees who have been employed for years (churches, NGOs, and others involved in workforce development prescreen potential job applicants before referring them to jobs)
• Severely reduces due process rights for legal immigrants in a way that dramatically undercuts basic principles of American justice

The bill could pass in its entirety, or parts of it could be introduced in other anti-immigrant bills. This legislation will affect all Americans, immigrants and U.S. citizens alike.

On Wednesday, March 1, a coalition of immigrant and refugee advocates present Learning from the Past - Struggling for the Future, a community forum featuring the voices of immigrants and refugees and allies in our community. Come to this public forum and learn what you can do to help secure equality, dignity, and respect for all.

Where: SEIU Local 49 
3536 SE 26th Avenue
Portland, Oregon
When: Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - 7:00 PM
Free and Open to the Public


Immigrant & Refugee Coalition (Co-Sponsors)
Planning the March for Immigrant Rights and Associated Events
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)/Project Voice
CAUSA
Center for Intercultural Organizing
IWW
Jobs with Justice
Mujeres Luchadoras
NDLON
Oregon Farmworkers Ministry
Pineros y Campesinos del Noroeste (PCUN)
Peace and Justice Works
Portland Central America Solidarity Committee
Promotores de Derechos Humanos de Portland
Rural Organizing Project
SEIU Local 49
SEIU Local 503
VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project