JIFM@UH

we are still here!!!

2008-02-25T23:11:00.000-06:00

WE ARE WORKING ON WWW.DREAMACTTEXAS.BLOGSPOT.COM

its been a while visitors....we have great news though

2007-07-19T17:18:00.000-05:00

DREAM

SENATE MAY VOTE ON DREAM ACT SOON!

***IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED***

Wednesday, July 18, 2007
It is not too late to call your senators!!
Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have introduced the DREAM Act as an amendment (SA 2237) to H.R. 1585, the Department of Defense authorization bill, which is now being debated in the Senate. The amendment will need 60 votes to pass. Its adoption would be a giant step forward for the DREAM Act, which would then stand an excellent chance of becoming law this year. It is imperative for all DREAM Act supporters to call your Senators. You can find your Senators' phone numbers here.

CALL BOTH OF YOUR SENATORS AND TELL THEM
"PLEASE VOTE FOR THE DURBIN-HAGEL-LUGAR DREAM ACT AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1585SO THAT IMMIGRANT STUDENTS BROUGHT HERE AS CHILDRENCAN REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL"

Your Senators' phone numbers are online at: http://www.senate.gov/general /contact_information/senators _cfm.cfm

The DREAM Act in Brief:
The DREAM Act is narrowly tailored
It would apply only to individuals brought to the U.S. at least 5 years ago as children, who have grown up here, and who have remained in school and out of trouble. They could get a green card 6 years after graduating from high school if during that time they continue on to college or serve in the military.
The DREAM Act is not a "mini-amnesty"
At its core, amnesty is forgiveness for wrongdoing. That does not apply to DREAM Act students who were all brought here years ago as children. The DREAM Act rewards them for staying in school or serving our country.
The DREAM Act would benefit taxpayers
The DREAM Act would provide hope to immigrant students and lead many more of them to remain in school. As an example of the fiscal benefits of this, a RAND study showed that a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant woman who graduates from college will pay $5,300 more in taxes and cost $3,900 less in government expenses each year than if she had dropped out of high school. This amounts to an annual fiscal benefit of over $9,000 per person every year, money that can be used to pay for the education of other children. State and local taxpayers have already invested in the education of these children in elementary and secondary school and deserve to get a return on their investment
You can find more information about the DREAM Act here.
Information from National Immigration Law Center @ www.nilc.org

A story we hear so often...

2006-12-21T17:22:00.000-06:00

OR: Illegal Scholar
The Willamettee Week,
November 20, 2006
By Beth Slovic

Carlos is a bright high-school senior who wants to go to college. Here's the problem: He's an undocumented immigrantCarlos is 17 years old with closely cropped black hair and an off-center smile. A senior at Southeast Portland's Franklin High School, he dresses like many of his peers-in spotless Adidas sneakers, extra-large hooded sweatshirts and crisp black pants that hang a foot below his waist. He loves The Simpsons, Snoop Dogg and the Oakland Raiders. He drops his G's and peppers his speech with exaggerated "yeaahs." He's a typical teenager.
Except for two things.
First, he's a "gifted" student and writer, according to his teachers. His GPA is 3.52, and his schedule is loaded with honors classes and Advanced Placement courses.
Second, he's an illegal immigrant. Carlos' parents brought him to this country from Mexico on a tourist visa when he was almost 8 years old. More than nine years later, the family is still here-hidden in plain view in one of Southeast Portland's working-class neighborhoods.
Carlos is aware his presence in this country is at the center of one of the most heated debates in American politics today. (WW agreed not to publish his real name or photograph.) "It affects me every day, this whole immigration thing," Carlos says.
But he has learned to live with it. "I don't worry about it," Carlos says of the possibility that he could one day be deported. "I'd have to start over again, but that's the case for everybody."
To a certain extent, his calm is understandable. Even though Carlos wasn't born in the United States (if he had been, he'd be a U.S. citizen), he is one of an estimated 1.8 million undocumented children for whom public schools in the United States are safe havens. A 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case ruled that public schools must educate all kids, including illegal immigrants, who are nonetheless breaking federal law by living here.
"I will not deny the fact that we have certain percentages of students who are undocumented," says Franklin principal Charles Hopson. "But I don't even entertain arguments about who we should educate."
But now, as a senior in high school, Carlos faces a host of written and unwritten rules that simultaneously punish and seduce the world's tired, huddled masses.
Carlos could go to college, or he could get to work.
The irony embedded in America's immigration policy is that most Americans would turn a blind eye if Carlos decided he wanted to go straight to work, resigning himself to a life of low wages as a landscaper, a waiter or a construction worker.
Instead, Carlos wants to go to college. And this country's response-after shepherding him through high school-is as confusing and inconsistent as the Medicare Part D doughnut hole.
"In kindergarten through 12th grade, it's wink wink, nod nod," says Jennifer Satalino, a manager at the Northwest Education Loan Association, a charitable group in Portland that helps low-income students pay for college. "But now we're slamming the door."
Carlos came to this country with his mother and his younger brother almost a decade ago. His father was already in Portland at the time, having made the trip to the United States about 18 months earlier.
Looking back, Carlos does not remember much about his life in Mexico, but it all seems very innocent to him now, a time in his life when he spent many carefree hours playing with his little brother, he says.
"It was pretty much a normal kid's life, I guess," Carlos says, sitting with his parents on a tan sectional sofa in their neatly appointed, beige living room.
It was October when Carlos arrived in Oregon, where his father had settled after a few months in California. It was raining all the time. And Carlos was startled to discover that his family was poor. Somehow he'd imagined life in America would be like life on American television.
"The image that you get from the U.S.A. is that, when you come here, you're going to be in a happy, sunny, rich little neighborhood with a whole bunch of little kids and you're just going to play," he says. "When we got here, it was kind of the opposite."
Enrolled in the second grade, Carlos was just about to turn 8 and his brother was 7, but his parents immediately started working. And since the couple could not afford babysitters at the time, the boys often returned to an empty home, where they watched television and entertained themselves. Carlos' mother, who is 40 and petite with curly reddish hair, says she still feels guilty. In fact, her only recurring nightmare has nothing to do with being deported. Instead, she's haunted at night by images of her two children at home alone looking sad and bored, she says.
Adjusting to life in America, Carlos' parents enrolled in adult-education classes, where they studied English three days a week. At the same time, Carlos and his brother were learning English at Sunnyside, then an elementary school in Southeast Portland. Today, they all speak fluent English, although the parents have light Mexican accents. And switching back and forth between Spanish and English causes Carlos to forget words in both languages, he says.
The family has not returned to Mexico once since their departure. Their only option for returning would be to sneak across the border, and the family is not willing to take that risk.
The parents do take other risks, though.
To work, they use fake Social Security numbers, which they bought nine years ago for about $30 apiece on a street in Woodburn, in a transaction that went something like a drug deal, Carlos' father says. "You have to go and look for it," says Carlos' father, who is 39, stout and 6 inches shorter than his son. "You go to the streets and ask for it."
As far as the couple knows, they are the only ones with their particular Social Security numbers, which they shared with their current employers in order to get their jobs. Presumably, their employers use those numbers to have taxes withheld from their paychecks, just like any other working Portlander, Carlos' father says. But the couple also uses tax identification numbers (issued by the U.S. government to anyone, regardless of their immigration status) to file their annual tax returns, and they somehow manage to receive their refund. A spokesman for the Social Security Administration says the agency doesn't have the resources to investigate all cases of possible fraud, although it is a federal offense to buy fake Social Security numbers. Meanwhile, Carlos' father says the complexity inherent in the tax-filing system benefits workers like him.
"People here rely on that confusion, because it's a way of making a living," Carlos' father says. "Somehow it's good it doesn't make sense."
Carlos' parents say their employers do not know for sure that they are illegal immigrants. "The most important thing is that they are happy with our work," Carlos' father says.
The family has health insurance through the father's job. They pay rent and, by extension, property taxes, meaning they support the funding of Portland's schools.
The family has a checking account, driver's licenses, a phone line in their name and a membership at the local video rental store.
To give their kids the life they couldn't have given them in Mexico, Carlos' mother and father regularly put in overtime at their jobs. Carlos' mother is a waitress at a Lebanese restaurant in Portland. And Carlos' father says he does whatever his bosses ask of him, meaning he works as a driver, construction worker and general laborer. "For people like us, you have to be good in one, two, three positions, because we are immigrants," he says. "They don't tell us, but they let us know."
Early on, Carlos exhibited academic ability, giving his mother and father hope that their son could go to college.
But the father is a bit jaundiced, because his experience tells him Americans depend on undocumented immigrants to fill low-wage jobs, he says.
"We don't need Mexicans with college studies, because there is a lot of people around the world that have already studied, and they are dying to come here," he says.
Carlos' parents refuse to buy him a fake Social Security card. His father says it's because he wants his son, who is still only a child, to stay "clean." "I just don't think he needs it right now," his father says.
In the meantime, Carlos' focus on school has some unintended ironies.
Last May, when about 10 percent of Franklin's students skipped class to protest the immigration legislation making its way through Congress, Carlos stayed behind at Franklin. He thought his time would be better spent in class, he says.
"As a way of action, I study; that's what I do," Carlos says.
Just three miles from his house, Reed College's campus might as well be on another planet. For one thing, full tuition, room and board is $43,530 a year, not including basic expenses like books.
It's a Wednesday when Carlos visits with two of his friends from Franklin. And as he sets out on a tour of the leafy campus, he's looking just as nervous as the other high-school seniors gathered around him.
The culture at Reed is somewhat alien to Carlos.
As the tour winds past dormitories and other grand brick buildings on campus, Carlos' tour guides drop cultural references that Carlos doesn't catch. The school's honor code requires that students "be excellent to each other," one tour guide says, repeating the line from the movie Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (released the same year Carlos was born in Mexico). The Decemberists and Ira Glass recently came to campus, the tour guide later boasts. But Carlos has never heard of either the band or the geeky radio host. On any given day, he's more likely to be listening to Chicano rap by Kinto Sol or reading poetry by Jimmy Santiago Baca than listening to This American Life on NPR.
But Carlos gains confidence when he attends a Spanish literature class and is surrounded by non-native Spanish speakers, who talk slowly and deliberately and, in more than a few cases, rather idiosyncratically. "Tú puedes decir," one student says repeatedly in Spanglish-a phrase that literally means "you could say," but that no Spanish speaker would ever actually say.
Later, at lunch in the campus cafeteria resembling a Vermont ski lodge, Carlos meets with Reed students who answer his questions about the admissions process.
Carlos' classmate from Franklin, also undocumented, has a question, too. And he seems to be speaking for Carlos as well when he poses it to the Reed sophomore, whose parents are from Mexico, she says.
"Were you born here?" he asks, briefly looking up from his hamburger and French fries swimming in ketchup. What he really wants to know is whether the student is a U.S. citizen. But when she says "yes," he simply continues eating.
Carlos barely touches his food. He's too busy answering other students' questions about what kind of music he likes, what kind of classes he wants to take and why he wants to go into "international business," he says, to eat his sandwich.
"The scroungers will eat it," one student tells Carlos, indicating the untouched half of his BLT. Nearby, a gaggle of hungry-looking students is waiting to eat the leftovers from departing students' trays.
"The who?" asks Carlos, jumping slightly from his seat and turning to see where the others are pointing.
Admissions officers at Reed know that Carlos is an undocumented immigrant, and yet they invited him to visit. Although they have not yet reviewed his application, which is due Jan. 15, they say his illegal status does not disqualify him. In fact, one dean recently met with Carlos' family on a Saturday to discuss his application.
However, because Carlos is not an American citizen, Reed says it would consider him alongside other international students. And Reed has very few scholarships for students who are not from the United States.
Yet Carlos isn't an international student in the true sense of the category. He's a local teenager in a city that is increasingly Latino and increasingly Mexican. Paul Marthers, the admissions dean, says the case for Carlos' admission is even more compelling to the college.
"One of the important things for Reed is that it look like America," Marthers says. "We try to stay out of the politics of it."
John Keeley, communications director for the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank in Washington, D.C., is incensed by policies such as Reed's. "That person is not authorized to be in the United States by the U.S. government," says Keeley, who works for a think tank that wants current immigration laws enforced. "I can't understand the sensibility of any institution that would willfully violate federal law."
Keeley says, too, that accepting an undocumented student necessarily means one coveted slot is not going to an equally deserving American student.
But Marthers defends Reed's decision, saying that the admissions process is not a zero-sum game. He adds: "We look at how we can help the individual; we're not getting into the issue of how his parents are here."
Perhaps surprisingly, it may actually be easier for Carlos to attend a private school like Reed than any public institution, where the academic requirements are less rigorous.
The University of Oregon says all applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents or international students with appropriate visas. A student who does not fall into any of those categories will not have his application processed, according to Phil Weiler, a university spokesman.
On a recent trip to Western Oregon University, Carlos was admitted on the spot because his GPA is so high. But the public university's letter of conditional acceptance notes that Carlos' application is incomplete until he supplies his Social Security number, which he does not have. Weeks later, it's still not clear to Carlos whether he's been admitted.
Some college-admissions advisers claim that, in practice anyway, many public universities are far less strict-they either fail to follow up on a request for a Social Security number or they allow undocumented students to enroll but charge them out-of-state tuition. In the case of Western Oregon University, that would be a nearly $10,000 difference between $15,789 in-state and $25,284 out-of-state for tuition, fees, books, and room and board.
Either way, say critics, allowing a public institution to educate an illegal immigrant is "a subsidy tantamount to amnesty," according to the Center for Immigration Studies' Keeley. "I can't think of anything more unfair for the American taxpayer," he says.
Then again, without a Social Security number, Carlos cannot apply for federal loans, work-study grants or any other form of public assistance.
"It's completely unjust that a student of his caliber will be denied access to higher education," says Susie Bartley, an English teacher at Franklin who met Carlos when he was a junior.
But without a Social Security number, it's hard to see how Carlos could fulfill his ambition of working for a company as an international businessman.
Aníbal Rivera, a social studies teacher at Franklin, has witnessed many undocumented students like Carlos pass through his classroom. All of them struggle to figure out what they will do after they leave the safety of high school. Some drop out before graduation. Others graduate and then chose to work.
"As a teacher, there is no other issue that causes me as much pain," Rivera says. "[Carlos] would make a great doctor or engineer. He has the potential to be a great asset to our society, but he might not be able to accomplish that."
Rivera's comments are of little comfort to Lars Larson, the radio talk-show host who has become the nose guard for the get-tough-on-immigration movement in Oregon. Larson has banged the drum on this issue for years and was largely responsible for shaping the views of Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Saxton. Larson says of Carlos: "His presence is wrong. He's taken over $100,000 of taxpayers' money for his education. I know that a lot of people say that his parents are just trying to better their lives. So is every meth head and burglar. Here's the not so funny thing: In this state you are regulated by the car you drive, how you add on to your house, if you want to move dirt from your house. We climb on the backs of citizens who cross the line to the littlest degree. Citizens are being held to a higher standard than those who have no right to be here."
Last week, American voters elected a Democratic U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, where efforts to grant amnesty to undocumented children who graduate from American high schools have been stalled for several years but may now have better chances. Referred to as the DREAM Act, the legislation would also pave the way for public universities to offer undocumented students in-state college tuition.
Similar efforts are under way at the state level in Oregon, too. With the help of newly elected state Rep. Ben Cannon, a Democrat who represents the Franklin High area, the Oregon Students of Color Coalition plans to introduce legislation in the next session that, if approved, would grant undocumented immigrants eligibility for enrollment at public universities and in-state tuition rates.
House Speaker-to-be Jeff Merkley says, "There's a great case to be made for this legislation because we all benefit if each individual succeeds to their full potential."
To Carlos, it all boils down to one thing.
"I just want to learn," he says. "But the same thing I want to break is holding me back."
He did not choose to be in this position.
"We are responsible for him being a criminal," his mother says. "Don't care about us, but care about him."
Publishing this story put Willamette Week on the horns of an ethical dilemma, given that its publication could pose a real risk for the teenage subject.
Carlos and his parents agreed to participate, despite that danger. But in agreeing to cooperate, they asked that the newspaper not use Carlos' real name or photograph.
Early on in the reporting, I met with Carlos and his parents and told them that I would be identifyng Carlos' school and teachers, describing what he looks like and quoting him.
The intent was to balance WW's commitment to telling the truth against the welfare of a subject who did not have to tell his story. -Beth Slovic

Bill to aid immigrant students could pass in new Congress

2006-12-21T17:11:00.000-06:00

Bill to aid immigrant students could pass in new Congress
The Salt Lake Tribune wire services
Article Last Updated: 12/17/2006 12:00:00 PM MST

WASHINGTON - Legislation that would let thousands of illegal-immigrant high school students attend college or serve in the military has a good chance of passing in a Congress controlled by Democrats, immigration experts say. A bill known as the DREAM Act would give illegal immigrants a conditional visa that would turn into permanent residency if they complete two years of college or serve honorably for two years in the armed forces. It also would allow them to qualify for in-state college tuition. Cecilia Munoz, vice president for policy at the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic civil rights organization, said Friday that the DREAM Act - short for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors - is "very, very likely to be on the table" as part of a larger overhaul of the nation's immigration laws. In addition, Carlina Tapia-Ruano, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said that the chances for the bill are "excellent." Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., a principal sponsor of the legislation in the House, is planning to introduce a new version early next year. He said he has met many excellent high school students over the years who were undocumented because of a choice their parents made and should not be punished for that. "When someone has lived, in many instances, almost their entire life here, they studied hard, they played by the rules, they should be able to continue studying," he said. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch introduced the original legislation, called the DREAM Act, in 2003 and it passed out of the Judiciary Committee but did not get a full Senate vote. Hatch is not a co-sponsor but still supports the re-introduced version. This year, the DREAM Act had co-sponsors from both parties and passed in the Senate, but found strong opposition from House conservatives pushing for a crackdown on illegal immigration. These members said the DREAM Act amounted to a disguised amnesty. The Democrats' success in winning a House majority in last month's elections gives the bill a better chance, proponents said. The legislation would apply to illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States before age 16, have lived in the country for at least five years prior to the law's enactment, have graduated from high school or obtained a GED, and have no criminal record. The conditional visa would expire in six years if the individual did not successfully finish the two years of higher education or military service. The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute in Washington estimates that the DREAM Act would make 279,000 people immediately eligible for college enrollment or military service. In addition, 715,000 illegal immigrants between the ages of 5 and 17 would become eligible in the future, according to the group. Margaret Stock, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and a professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, said that the DREAM Act could help replenish the military by providing a "highly qualified cohort of young people" that have already passed a background check. "They are already going to come vetted by Homeland Security. They will already have graduated from high school," she said. "They are prime candidates." Tapia-Ruano said that the people targeted by the DREAM Act have lived in the United States since they were small children, are fluent in English and represent the future of the nation. "They are completely acculturized, completely American," she said. "Who is it hurting to provide these individuals the opportunity to continue their education?" But some lawmakers say they'll fight the DREAM Act because it rewards illegal behavior. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., who leads a caucus pushing for stronger immigration controls, called for the deportation of an illegal immigrant student a few years ago when the person appeared in a newspaper article about the DREAM Act. "Why should we give a taxpayer subsidy to someone who shouldn't even be in this country, especially when we don't give it to legal American residents from another state?" said Tancredo, referring to in-state tuition. "This kind of thing only increases the 'magnet effect' of benefits that can typically draw even more illegal aliens." Procedural hurdles could also emerge. The legislation might be attached to a broader bill that provides a path to citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants and creates a new temporary worker plan. The larger measure has opponents on both sides of the aisle. - By Eunice Moscoso, Cox News Service

DREAM ACT STATISTICS FROM MPI

2006-12-21T17:09:00.000-06:00

FROM THE NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER
DREAM ACT STATISTICS FROM MPI

The following backgrounder by the Migration Policy Institute provides the most complete statistics available about who would benefit from the DREAM Act. The full report is available here.
New Estimates of Unauthorized Youth Eligible for Legal Status under the DREAM Act1
This backgrounder by the Migration Policy Institute discusses the major features of the DREAM Act and provides MPI's estimates of the number of young unauthorized persons likely to be eligible for immigration relief if the DREAM Act were to become law.
Highlights
The DREAM Act, incorporated into the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (S.2611), offers unauthorized youth a path to conditional legal status if they arrived in the United States before age 16, have been in the country for five continuous years, and have graduated from high school or obtained a GED. Conditional legal residents who attend college or join the military within the six years of their conditional status will become eligible for permanent legal status in a "bargain" that is unprecedented in the history of US immigration policy because legal status has never before been conditioned on young adults' educational and military choices.
The law's enactment would immediately make 360,000 unauthorized high school graduates aged 18 to 24 eligible for conditional legal status. We estimate that of the 360,000 young people aged 18 to 24 immediately eligible for the conditional status under the DREAM Act; about 50,000 are currently enrolled in colleges and universities across the United States and thus are likely to be eligible for adjustment to permanent status. We also estimate that for a variety of reasons about 10 percent of conditional legal residents (or 31,000 persons) would not convert from conditional to permanent legal status. Thus, if the act is signed into law in 2006, about 279,000 unauthorized youth would be newly eligible persons for college enrollment or the US military.
We also estimate that about 715,000 unauthorized youth between ages 5 and 17 would become eligible for conditional and then permanent legal status under the proposed legislation sometime in the future.
With comprehensive immigration reform legislation deferred, the framers might consider expanding the number of pathways to permanent status to include such vocationally oriented programs as Job Corps, Department of Labor-certified apprenticeships, and selected non-degree programs offered by proprietary post-secondary schools. These programs could help meet economic demands for non-college educated but technically trained labor.

EDUCATION FOR ALL: PRESS CONFERENCE/DEMONSTRATION

2006-11-02T13:49:00.000-06:00

Hello JIFM Members,

For those of you who have responded about the protest - thank you. Here are the final details. We hope to see all of you there, please call or e-mail with any questions.

WHAT: DEMONSTRATION IN SUPPORT OF THE DREAM ACT AND HB 1403, AS WELL AS A CHANCE TO INFORM THE VOTING PUBLIC ON WHICH GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES SUPPORT EDUCATION FOR ALL!!

WHEN: THIS MONDAY, NOV. 6TH - 4PM

WHERE: LEE HIGH SCHOOL 6529 BEVERLY HILL LN. HOUSTON TX 77057

PLEASE COME DRESSED IN YOUR CAP AND GOWNS OR ANY SCHOOL RELATED SHIRT

SEE YOU THERE!!

JIFM-UH Meeting Dates. JOIN US!!

2006-09-24T23:28:00.000-05:00

JOIN JIFM-UH... EVERY OTHER THURSDAY @ 6:30PM

Sept. 28, 2006 Baltic Rm 77, UC Underground

October 12, 2006 Baltic Rm 77, UC Underground

October 26, 2006 Baltic Rm 77, UC Underground

November 02, 2006 Rodeo Rm 264 UC 2nd Floor
November 16, 2006 Baltic Rm 77, Underground

December 1st week Lacation:TBA

Volunteers are always needed to accomplish our
High School Presentations
during the
Fall Semester.
Log on to our WEBSITE for more details

WWW.UHJIFM.ORG

NEW WEBSITE & 1ST MEETING INFORMATION

2006-08-30T14:02:00.000-05:00

CLICK BELOW!!!

uhjifm.org

THANKS TO OUR WEBMASTER CARLOS FOR CREATING THE INFORMATIVE AND USEFUL WEBSITE FOR OUT HB 1403/SB 1528 STUDENTS AT THE

UNIVESITRY OF HOUSTON AND .

___________________________________________________

welcome back hb 1403 coogs!

WHO: Are you a current House bill 1403/SB 1528 student? JOIN JIFM-UH, A student organization that advocates for the passage of the DREAM Act and the rights of immigrant students.

WHAT: WELCOME BACK MEETING

WHEN: THURSDAY, AUG. 31

WHERE: AGNES HARNOLD HALL
3RD FLOOR (CMAS LOUNGE)

TIME: 6:30PM

free pizza & drinks

“If we don't fight for our DREAM, nobody else will"

Chronicle features JIFM-UH protesters....

2006-08-16T22:19:00.000-05:00

Immigration hearing prompts dueling protests
By ROSANNA RUIZ, ANITA HASSAN and RHEA DAVIS
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Protesters from both sides of the immigration debate gathered this morning outside the Harris County Civil Courthouse where a congressional hearing on the issue was being conducted inside.U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, who has convened hearings about illegal immigration around the country, is in Houston today to hear from local leaders, law enforcement officers, and others about the contentious issue.Before the hearing, about 75 protesters gathered on the steps of the courthouse. The opposing sides waved U.S. flags, held banners, and chanted slogans. They were separated by waist-high steel fences and periodically tried to shout each other down."I am not a racist, I don't mind Hispanic people being here, but they need to come here legally,'' said Nancy Ward, who stood with the protesters calling for tighter controls on immigration.About two dozen people, some waving American flags and carrying signs that read "stop the invasion protect or borders,'' remained outside the courthouse once the hearing began. One side, which included members of U.S. Border Watch, called for greater enforcement of existing immigration laws and border security. The other group, which favors "comprehensive'' immigration reform, assailed the hearing as a one-sided sham."I'm here because I feel like we want all these people working here, but we don't want them to be legal,'' said Robert Wager, a member of The Metropolitan Organization, or TMO, a multi-denominational organization. "We want immigrants here, but we don't want to give them legal status, or maybe we just want to pay them a pittance.''Desmond Taylor, a member of the Texas chapter of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corp, said illegal immigration is a great expense for Americans."I'm objecting to illegal aliens costing us a fortune,'' said Taylor, a 64-year-old retired management consultant.Brian Kohl, who took time off work to attend the protest, said illegal immigration promotes gang violence and drug trafficking, but he supports those who come here legally."If they come to become American and become part of its tradition, then they are welcome with open arms,'' said the 33-year-old U.S. Border Watch member. "For any other reasons they are not.'' Macario Ramirez, an immigrant advocate, said: "This is a one-sided hearing done by a bunch of clowns...immigrants are here to work, they're not here to take.''Although the two groups remained peaceful, they often shouted at one another.Theresa Z. Padilla said she was saddened by the comments made by some people during the rally. She said she hated to hear people saying illegal immigrants cause an increase in crime and are a burden on the economy. "My parents were not criminals, they worked really hard and put a lot of money into this system, '' she said.

rosanna.ruiz@chron.com
rhea.davis@chron.com
anita.hassan@chron.com

CHECK IT OUT ONLINE!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4120959.html

Houston hosts an anti-immigrant billboard

2006-07-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/immigration/4053377.html

'Stop the Invasion' billboard put up here
The sign is part of a nationwide campaign against illegal immigration
By CYNTHIA LEONOR GARZACopyright 2006
Houston Chronicle

A national campaign to urge securing the U.S. borders has unveiled its mark on Houston with a new billboard off Interstate 10 that reads "Stop the Invasion."The anti-illegal immigration billboard campaign, which is now on 13 roadsides in seven states, is "in response to what we saw happening. Citizens started waking up to the crisis of illegal immigration," said Steve Elliott, president of Grassfire.org (http://www.grassfire.org/7042/Houston.htm), the conservative nonprofit group behind the campaign.Although the immigration debate "ebbs and flows, this is the number one domestic issue in the country for this year," Elliott said.Juan Alvarez, head of the undocumented immigrant-rights group Organizacion Latinoamericana Pro-Derechos del Inmigrante de Houston, said the new billboard makes the group "sad and sometimes angry.""For us, this is something racist," Alvarez said.Elliott said he doesn't see it that way."What we want to accomplish is to help engage citizens in this debate," Elliott said. "The vast majority (of citizens) agree on the issue of border security," he said. In addition, his group opposes amnesty, he said.The billboard campaign will be in four Texas cities: Houston, Dallas, College Station and Liberty. Elliott did not disclose the cost of the campaign, but said it was well into the six figures and funded by donations.Houston was chosen as a billboard site because it is one of the epicenters of the immigration debate due to its size and the number of illegal immigrants who reside here, Elliott said.Alvarez, who is originally from Guatemala, said part of the problem with groups that have an anti-illegal immigration message is that they ignore the issue of foreign policy, and the role the U.S. has played in inciting immigration in some cases.

cynthia.garza@chron.com

2006-07-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

THANKS TO ALL WHO SHOWED TO YESTURDAY'S DEMONSTRATION!!!
Your spirit and presence was strong and well recieved. I've post the article in today's chronicle below and the stories on Univision and Telemundo were a success. We must keep it in the forefront of our mind that this battle has only just begun and that there is much work to do to ensure the future of HB 1403 as well as the future of countless students and their families.
Thank you again for your heart and your determination!

pictures to be posted soon!!

July 3, 2006, 11:09PMHCC rally backs tuition breaks for illegal immigrantsGroup protests efforts that would deny federal money for such programs
By ALLAN TURNERCopyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

-->
Standing in graduation caps and gowns with their mouths taped shut and their hands tied, 20 young people rallied at Houston Community College Monday to protest legislative efforts to cut tuition breaks for illegal immigrants attending Texas colleges.
"They are here with mouths taped and hands tied because that will be their future if HB 1403 is taken away," said Mike Espinoza, spokesman for the group calling itself Young Immigrants for a Better Future, as he gestured to the silent line of protesters standing in a light midday rain.
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Texas House Bill 1403, authored by state Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, and passed in 2001, allows immigrant students who have lived with their parents or guardians, spent three years in Texas and either graduated from high school or obtained an equivalent diploma in the state to pay lower, in-state college tuitions.
Espinoza, a University of Houston sociology graduate student, denounced efforts by U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, to keep Texas and nine other states from using money to assist students who are in the country illegally.
While HB 1403 was not aimed specifically at illegal immigrants, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board says some of those who have benefited are in the U.S. illegally. Texas and California were the first to extend tuition breaks to undocumented students.
Coordinating board figures show 212 students attended three University of Houston campuses under the program last fall. UH's tuition and fees for 15 hours of classes are $6,450 per year for in-state students and $12,326 per year for out-of-state students.
Culberson recently tacked an amendment onto an appropriations bill that would prohibit spending federal money on such a tuition-break program.
Culberson, who could not be reached for comment Monday, argued that HB 1403 broke the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which prohibits extending benefits to illegal immigrants that aren't available to all U.S. residents.
Coordinating board figures show that 5,300 students enrolled in institutions of higher learning in Texas under the program last fall. It was not known how many were in the country illegally.
One of them was a 20-year-old protester who identified himself only as Antonio.
One of three children of immigrant parents, he was 12 when he arrived in Houston. He now is a junior photography student who maintains a 3.25 grade-point average and hopes to enter medical school.
He works to pay tuition, receiving limited assistance from his parents.
"I wouldn't be able to afford to go to college," he said of the prospect of paying out-of-state tuition. "It's difficult enough to come up with the money for a semester now. It would be still harder."
"We're not cheating the government. This is something we earned," the student said. "We put in the efforts to get the grades. We came here as minors. We became what we are right here."

Monday's PROTEST: CORRECTIONS

2006-06-30T08:56:00.000-05:00

PRESS RELEASE

IMMIGRANT STUDENT PROTEST IN HOUSTON

12 Noon, Monday, July 3, 2006

HCC CENTRAL CAMPUS: 1300 HOLMAN

Contact:
jifmuhcental@gmail.com

Research Study on Undocumented Students

2006-06-28T16:33:00.000-05:00

Research Study on Undocumented Students-CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
(Rest assured no personal information will be collected to protect people's privacy. FYI, the questionnaire may be filled out by anyone who is a current OR former undocumented immigrant. )

We are conducting a research study to understand the educational experiences of immigrant students. The primary goal of the study is to gather empirical evidence to inform California legislators on their vote on a California Senate bill (SB160, California Dream Act) that if passed would provide financial aid to undocumented students to go to college in California. We also hope to inform congressional senators on their vote on a federal bill (S2075, Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) that if passed would provide financial aid to undocumented students to go to college and it would help them begin the process toward legal residence. Participation in this study involves completing an online survey.

We are interested in the following individuals:* Students currently undocumented* Students or college graduates who used to be undocumented but are now permanent residents or citizens.
To protect the identity of students, we will not collect names, ddresses, phone numbers or any other type of identifying information. Participants will be paid $10. If you would like to participate or have additional questions about the study, our contact info is below:
Link to Online Survey (if you have trouble clicking on the link please cut and paste on your browser address window):
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=550451884307

William Perez, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Education CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY 150 East Tenth Street Harper 212 Claremont California 91711 909-607-3784 Office 909-621-8734 Fax 323-610-2074 Cell
http://us.f387.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=William.Perez@cgu.edu www.cgu.edu/faculty/perezw

Tuition law under attack:HB 1403

2006-06-23T22:07:00.000-05:00

star-telegram.com

Posted on Fri, Jun. 23, 2006
Tuition law is under attackBy LEILA FADEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

A Houston congressman is trying to block Texas and nine other states from using federal money to cover in-state tuition for illegal immigrants enrolled at public universities...

For the full story visit : http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/14885184.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

Thanks
donaji-

IMMIGRANT STUDENT PROTEST IN DEFENSE OF IN-STATE TUITION

2006-06-23T09:28:00.000-05:00

PRESS RELEASE

IMMIGRANT STUDENT PROTEST IN HOUSTON

TIME/LOCATION/ CHANGED SEE ABOVE!

IMMIGRANT STUDENTS PROTEST IN DEFENSE OF IN-STATE TUITION
Houston, Tx. Immigrant students in Houston have mobilized in protest of Republican led attacks on HB 1403- a law that grants in-state tuition to students who have completed at least three years in a Texas high school. A repeal of this law would create a serious impediment to immigrant students who wish to attend college since many come from low-income families and would not be able to afford the significantly higher out-of-state tuition rates for Texas colleges and universities. Members of JIFM- Jovenes Inmigrantes por un Futuro Mejor (Young Immigrants for a Better Future) plan to demonstrate in front of Congressman Culberson’s Houston office; John Culberson is one of the sponsors of Federal legislation that would withhold federal funds from colleges and universities that would allow immigrant students to pay in-state tuition.

Students will protest dressed in CAPS and GOWNS and with HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACKS to symbolize how such anti-immigrant legislation would negatively affect students who are seeking to attend colleges and universities in Texas.

HB1403THREATENED:TOPIC DISCUSSED @ RETREAT!!

2006-06-19T06:31:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,

YOUR FUTURE IS BEING TREATHENED AND YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHINGABOUT IT!! JIFM-UH has a mission and purpose and for that reason we need YOU to help us this summer to work on staving off the attack to repeal instate tuition for immigrant students (SB 1528 formally known as HB 1403). We face a most serious challenge from those who are being flamed into action to overturn SB 1528 by AM radio personalities, a Texas Republican Platform, independents such as Kinky Freemen and State Comptroller Strayhorn along with US Congressman John Culberson.

06.13.06
Culberson Amendments Adopted by House Appropriations Committee
Today, Representative John Culberson (R-TX) successfully added two amendments to the FY2007 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. The first amendment prohibits federal funds in the bill from being used to provide in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants.

"The Appropriations Committee approved my amendment today to enforce existing federal law which prohibits state universities from giving illegal aliens in state tuition rates or other education benefits unless the university also grants those same benefits and in-state tuition rates to students from all 50 states. Texas and eight other states have passed laws granting in-state tuition to illegal aliens, and I will work to make sure that Texas and these other states have time to act, but these state laws must be repealed because they violate federal law and defy common sense," Congressman Culberson said. (FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: http://culberson.house.gov/)

REPORT FROM JIFM-TEXAS RETREAT:
ALTHOUGH, WE TRIED TO HAVE FUN AT THE RETREAT NEAR FRIO RIVER IN CENTRAL TEXAS, IT WAS HARD TO STOP THINKING ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS THIS AMENDEMENT IS TO OUR HB1403 STUDENTS AND HOW MANY LIVES WULL BE AFFECTED AND FUTURES CHANGED IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT OF -EDUCATION FOR ALL TEXANS-. IT IS ESPECIALLY THREATENING TO THE THOUSANDS OF TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WHO WANT TO CONTINUE AND HAVE A RIGHT TO THEIR EDUCATION IN A STATE THAT WOULD ONLY BENEFIT FROM HAVING EDUCATED AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

THIS SUMMER ALONG WITH PREPARING FOR THE FALL SEMESTER, JIFM-UH WILL TAKE ON A HUGE TASK. A TASKS THAT ALL HB 1403 STUDENTS SHOULD TAKE INTRESTS IN DOING.. RECRUITING!!!
IT MEANS GETTING INVOLVED!!! WE NEED YOU!!

JIFM will be working effortlessly to:

1. Create an state-wide data base (1. HB 1403 students 2. Supporters)
2. Phone calls, faxes, post cards, and personal letters to Representatives (fighting fire with fire!)
3. Local lobby days through out the state
4. Press conferences (tentative for july 3rd/Culberson's Office)
5. Capital lobby day
6. Resolutions for school board, college boards of regents, cities, and so forth
7. Create a STATE-WIDE COALITION!!
8. Create a templete for a letter of support for representatives in Texas.

How can you help?

1. We need all HB 1403 students to email jifmuhcentral@gmail.com with SUBJECT: "HB1403 STUDENT"
Include the following:

Name
Email
Phone Number (home, work, cell)
Occupation (student @ UH, ESL Teacher Lee High School)
Relation to the group (member of UH JIFM)

2. We also need names for individuals or names of people who are part of an organization who are willing to work with us . Please email mailto:jifmuhcentral@gmail.comwith SUBJECT: "INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTER/ORGANIZATION"
Include the following:

Name
Name of Organization (if applicable)
Email
Phone Number (home, work, cell)
Occupation (student @ UH, ESL Teacher Lee High School)
Relation to the group (member of UH JIFM)

WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED AND UPDATE...NEXT GATHERING TUESDAY @ LAUREN'S

United we DREAM!
-Donajih-

-IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR OUR DREAM NOBODY ELSE WILL!!!!-

JIFM-TEXAS RETREAT

2006-06-15T09:10:00.000-05:00

Location: JIFM SUMMER RETREAT
When: Saturday, June 17, 8:00am - Sunday, June 18, 5:00pm

HI JIFM!The time for our retreat has arrived!It is time to relax, enjoy each other's company, and also take care of business.Let this opportunity become one where we can become more personal and allow ourselves to continue fighting the fight with more energy and strenght.This retreat is intended to bring all Texas JIFM members together. The location is somehow central to all of us and hope that you can make it. Let this chance be one that lets PV, UT-A, TAMU, UHD, UH, and Central members unite and unwind.

***NOTE: DIRECTIONS to the retreat will be sent to you in a word doc. Leakey Texas is 5 hours away from Houston and about 2 from San Antonio.**************The actual retreat will begin saturday morning and end sunday afternoon. We have planned group exercises, meetings, and some fun of course.

***Please note that those attending must be responsible for their own. JIFM does not take responsabilty for the underaged coming. Be responsible knowing that we are coming to a safe and healthy environment and intend to keep it that way.

***Things to know for the retreat:

ITEMS NEEDED FOR CAMPING:

TENT
SWIM SUIT
SLEEPING BAG/PILLOW
MOSQUITO SPARYTOWELS
COOLER (FOR YOUR OWN DRINKS)
TOLETRIES
FOOD

1. B.Y.O.F.- BRING YOUR OWN FOOD!!!
2. B.Y.O.B. – BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS!!
3. DINNER-POTLUCK!! (EVERYONE BRINGS AN ITEM TO COMPLETE THE MEAL)
4. EVERYONE BRING YOUR OWN PLASTIC PLATES,FORKS, CUPS, ETC. (UTENCILS)

POTS AND PANS: AVAILABLE

If you need directions to retreat location please contact: JIFMUHCENTRAL@GMAIL.COM
-

BOyCOTT KIMBERLY-CLARK !!

2006-05-29T11:29:00.000-05:00

Ins't Kimberly-Clark already being boycotted by GreenPeace and others because they refuse to use recycled materials and are cutting old growth forests to make toilet paper? Maybe we could team up with GreenPeace and their allies to spread the word and build the boycott?-- HR4437.ORG member said--

After this English version there is a Spanish version of this memo.

James Sensenbrenner is the author of the HR4437 prop that will turn 11 million immigrants into criminals, he is the one that has proposed that we punish anyone helping out undocumented immigrants. What most people do not know is that he is the heir to a multimillion dollar company called Kimberly Clark. http://kleercut.net/en/ CHECK OUT THE GREENPEACE WEBSITE!!

This company makes products such as
KLEENEX, SCOTT, HUGGIES, PULLUPS, VIVA, KOTEXand DEPENDS,

It has been proposed that we boycott these products so that he may see that those he is trying to criminalize are the people that have been helping him keep his millions!
Pass this to all who you think will be interested.

Lets take the Kimberly Clark company to the Guillotine!

(Spanish)
James Sensenbrenner es el autor y patrocinador dela HR4437, que convertiria a 11 millones deinmigrantes indocumentados en criminales, castigando acualquiera que les provea asistencia y construyendo unmuro de hierro entre EE UU y México. Lo que la mayoria de los hispanos no saben es queJames Sensenbrenner, es el heredero de la fortuna deKimberlyClark. todos los hispano-parlantes que compran productos delas marcas: KLEENEX, SCOTT, HUGGIES, PULLUPS, VIVA KOTEXY DEPEND, ponen su dinero en la cuenta del banco desensenbrenner.

Estas marcas estan entre las de mayor ventas en mas de80paises. Todos los hispanos y latinos que acostumbrancomprar estas marcas por todo estados unidos, mexico,costa rica, colombia y el resto de Latino America, deben saber quien es Sensenbrenner. Necesitamos decirles a todos que el es quien ideó convertir en criminales a los inmigrantes, ademas de proponer otras medidas punitivas.Hoy empieza el boicot "KIMBERLY CLARK A LA GUILLOTINA".

Digale a todos sus familiares, amigos, vecinos, y compañeros detrabajo, que no compren esos productos. Sensenbrenner debe saber que aquellos a quienes desea criminalizar,lo han estado haciendo millonario ya que esa empresa pertenece a su familia. ¿Sensenbrenner quiere construir un muro entre EstadosUnidos yMexico? Pues bien, ahora es hora de construir un muro entre sus productos, los inmigrantes y los hispano-parlantes.

¡Ha empezado el boicot en contra de los productosKimberly Clark!

Another Resource for HB 1403 Students..

2006-05-22T23:59:00.000-05:00

www.hb1403.com

CHECK IT OUT!!

5 more days till......

2006-05-16T00:17:00.000-05:00

JOIN US

TUESDAY, 5/16/05

CMAS LOUNGE (AH 3RD FL.)

7PM

WE WILL DISSCUSING THE LAST DETAILS OF THIS SATURDAY'S

LIBERATION THROUGH EDUCATION:

RAZA YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT

SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY 5/20/05

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

(AGNES HARNOLD BLDG.) ENTRANCE 14

11A-6P

DREAM National Call-in Day on May 10

2006-05-06T00:29:00.000-05:00

National Call-In Day for the American DREAM Act!
Wednesday, May 10

Call your House Representatives and ASK them to co-sponsor the American DREAM Act (HR 5131) - a bill that would remove barriers to higher education and create a path to citizenship for immigrant youth.
It is especially important to contact Republicans who have supported the American DREAM Act (previously Student Adjustment Act) in the last Congress.

Instructions:
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121
Request to be transferred to your Representative’s* office.

Once you’re connected with the office relay the following message:

"I'm calling to urge Representative (name) to support of the American DREAM Act, HR 5131. As a constituent and a person who cares about the future of our country, I want Representative (name) to co-sponsor HR 5131. The American DREAM Act will allow bright, dedicated young people the chance to give something in return to the U.S. Please tell Representative (name) to sign on to the American DREAM Act"

*If you need help identifying your Representative, please visit www.house.gov and enter your zip code.

The American DREAM Act (HR 5131) was introduced by Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Howard Berman (D-CA), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA).

List of current sponsors:
Representative
Party/State
Lincoln Diaz-Balart
(R-FL)*
Howard Berman
(D-CA)*
Lucille Roybal-Allard
(D-CA)*
Michael Castle
(R-DE)
Mario Diaz-Balart
(R-FL)
Lloyd Doggett
(D-TX)
Luis Fortuno
(R-PR)
Luis Gutierrez
(D-IL)
Jane Harman
(D-CA)
Melissa Hart
(R-PA)
Ray LaHood
(R-IL)
James Leach
(R-IA)
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
(R-FL)
Martin Olav Sabo
(D-MN)
Ike Skelton
(D-MO)

List of Republican sponsors in the last Congress:
Member
State
Henry Bonilla
TX
David Dreier
CA
Jim Gibbons
NV
Peter King
NY
Tom Latham
IA
James Leach
IA
Devin Nunes
CA
Tom Osborne
NE
Rick Renzi
AZ
Paul Ryan
WI
Chris Shays
CT
John Shimkus
IL
Rob Simmons
CT
Chris Smith
NJ
Mike Thompson
CA
Todd Tiahrt
KS
James Walsh
NY
Jerry Weller
IL
Heather Wilson
NM

Information received from CENTER FOR COMMUNITY CHANGE (CCC) and NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER (NILC)

DEFEND FREE SPEECH FOR IMMIGRANTS!

2006-05-04T15:25:00.000-05:00

DEFEND FREE SPEECH FOR IMMIGRANTS!

Civil Rights for All!
An Injury to One is an Injury to All!

Press Conference: Defending Our Right To Speak
Sunday, May 7th 2006 @ 5:00 PM
In front of HCCS-Central (San Jacinto Building)
1300 Holman, Houston Texas 77004
CCS-Central (Auditorium)

AFTER OUR PANEL AT THE:
The Edward James Olmos 4th Annual Houston Latino Book and Family Festival
Houston Community College HCCS Central
1300 Holman, Houston, Texas 77004

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their supporters have assembled across the United States in response to inhuman immigration laws. The marches have demanded amnesty and dignity for the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants forced to live in fear in this country.

In response to these historic protests and the broad outpouring of support, punitive actions have been unleashed to intimidate immigrants. Workers have been fired from their jobs for attending the events, and this past Wednesday, April 19, immigration police arrested 1,187 undocumented immigrants in 26 states. Press reports state that the Immigration Customs and Enforcement Division plans to arrest and deport another 590,000 immigrants in the country. Like the arrests of civil rights fighters in the 50s and 60s, this is clearly an attempt to impose a climate of fear among immigrant rights supporters and to undercut freedom of speech and assembly.
Here in Houston, opponents of civil rights for all have begun a racist campaign of intimidation and threats. Members of Jóvenes Inmigrantes por un Futuro Mejor (JIFM), have received hate mail and threats. JIFM advocates for non-discriminatory access to higher education for immigrant students, and it helped lead a successful march that put a crowd of 6,000 in Houston streets on March 25. In one call, the sender threatens the JIFM member by stating that he has “contacted the Immigration and Customs agency to report you as an illegal alien and request that they start immediate deportation proceedings.” A racist e-mail was also sent to a JIFM representative:
“Latinos for the most part are good people but individuals such as yourself and what you support only go to prove that Latinos are pariahs on a generous system {sic}. You take but don't give back and the time has come to cut off the hand that always feeds.”
In the context of recent virulent anti-immigrant rhetoric, threats to cut off hands should not be taken lightly. The Coalition of Higher Education for Immigrant Students (CHEIS) and the state leadership of JIFM seek your support for free speech for all, and an end to any attempts to silence students who are speaking out for a life with dignity in this country.
We urge all supporters of free speech to join CHEIS and JIFM for a press conference (see below details) to defend all our rights. It is crucial to voice our right for freedom of speech in this country. We must not tolerate hate messages directed to students that are voicing their right to an education. Please show your support in this campaign to put a stop to intimidation tactics directed to our youth!

Join us for a panel “Immigration and Youth” by JIFM
Sunday, May7th 2006 from 4:00 PM to 4:50 PM
HCCS-Central (Auditorium)

For more information: JIFMUHCENTRAL@GMAIL.COM
Jovenes Inmigrantes por un Futuro Mejor

The Edward James Olmos 4th Annual Houston Latino Book and Family Festival

2006-05-04T15:16:00.000-05:00

The Largest Book Fair in Texas

Local Host: Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say

JIFM will be hosting a panel on IMMIGRATION AND YOUTH

WHAT: PANEL ON “Immigration and Youth”
WHEN: Sunday, May7th 2006
TIME: From 4:00 PM to 4:50 PM
WHERE: HCCS-Central (Auditorium) 1300 Holman, Houston, TX 77004

FOLLOWED BY:

Press Conference: Defending Our Right To Speak
Sunday, May 7th 2006 @ 5:00 PM
In front of HCCS-Central (San Jacinto Building)
1300 Holman, Houston Texas 77004

For more information:
PLEASE POST COMMENT

LAST MEETING OF THE 2005-2006 SCHOOL YEAR

2006-04-28T00:45:00.000-05:00

I. Welcome / Introduction

II. Elections 2005-2006
President - Lilliana
Vice Presidents - Lauren
Secretary - Isabel
Program Director-
Membership Coordinator - Karen
Treasurer -Liceth
Historian-Samantha

III. Events:
· Southwest Youth Regional Youth Conference: Summary

· Please join students from University of Houston in a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and the recent immigration raids.

What: PROTEST RALLY

Where: INFRONT OF ICE HEADQUARTERS (126 Northpoint Dr. Houston, Tx 77060)

When: FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2006 10 AM

We are demanding that the Federal government put a stop to their intimidation of the immigrant community and cease the immigration raids immediately.

· Coalition of Higher Education for Immigrants Students Mtg Friday, April 28 @ New HISD Bldg. Time:11-1 (Exit West 18th St. Infront of Northwest Mall)

· Discussion on May 1st UH Protest/Demonstration – Bring Posters! Noon-5pm Infront of UH library

· Houston Social Forum – April 28th @ 10 @ TSU Education Bldg: JIFM Rep @ Panel Discussion

· Volunteer Opportunity: Edward James Olmos 4th Annual Latino Book and Family Festival (DATE changed to SUNDAY, May 7, 2006) JIFM will have a display table and coordinate a Panel- WE NEED YOUR HELP! WE NEED AT LEAST 10 VOLUNTEERS.

· Voices Breaking Boundaries: Words for PEACE Sunday May 7th 7pm @ Diverse Works 1117 East Freeway 77002 COME CHECK IT OUT!!

· May 20th Liberation Through Education :Raza Youth Empowerment Summit: Update: JIFM-UH taking the lead in STUDENT OUTREACH- NEED VOLUNTEERS

*JIFM Retreat: Summer (JUNE 10 weekend) TENTATIVE DATE : IN CENTRAL TEXAS

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
Donajih-

Southwest Regional Youth Conference-Phoenix, Arizona

2006-04-23T23:33:00.000-05:00

The Southwest Regional Youth Conference in Phoenix, Arizona was hosted by the Center for Community Change, an organization under the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM). JIFM was contacted to represent Texas and five bright young ladies from across Texas flew to the "hot" state of Arizona, a state critical to the immigration movement.

The purpose of the trip was to receive more information on:

Immigration and the DREAM Act
Guidance on Advanced Organizing
Coalition Building
Electoral Programs
Network with other other organizations
Group experiences
How to create a regional structure and communication between states
History of FIRM and who is involved
Leadership Development

The other states represented were: California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona

JIFM stood out because we facilitated several workshops and discussions and we were also able to handout a complete packet of JIFM information.

We were also accompanied by a Houston Chronicle Reporter who was there to report on JIFM's participation and the stories of the girls who went. The experience was empowering and met great leaders with one common goal and that is: Immigrant Rights and the passage of the DREAM Act.

We would like to THANK CCC for the opportunity and hope that we are always kept in mind for other conferences!

Donajih Robles-

The pictures will be posted at JIFM's myspace SOON. (www.myspace.com/JIFM)

Early Stages of Student Empowerment Summit

2006-04-19T08:15:00.000-05:00

Top Left to Right:Joe, Selene, Karla, Jezer, Donajih, Gabriel, Lilian, Rodolfo X, Juan, Prf. Cano, Mike

Bottom Right to Left: Julita, Lauren and Mia, Samantha

JIFM will be helping in organizing a Student Empowerment Summit along with other organizations and people. (Time, Date, Location TBA)

We had a great brainstorming meeting were a table of at least 15 people from high school students and independent activists, to college students came together to create an educational agenda for high school students.

Several logistics are still in the works and we hope that if you are interested that you post a comment.

Join a committee:

Outreach
Staff Outreach
Materials
Program
Budget
Media

Next Meeting Tuesday April 26, @ 6:30pm @ CMAS Lounge

MARCH AND RALLY: HUGE SUCCESS!

2006-04-11T10:33:00.000-05:00

HOUSTON CHRONICLE: FRONT PAGE

April 11, 2006, 3:12AM
THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE
Rally packs downtown HoustonMarch coincides with numerous others across U.S.
By CYNTHIA LEONOR GARZA and ZEKE MINAYA
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE:

http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3785352.html

DR

APRIL 10th ---TODAY!!! JOIN US!!!

2006-04-09T21:06:00.000-05:00

APRIL 10TH COALITION:

THE NATIONAL DAY OF
ACTION FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE

Monday April 10th
Time: 1pm (get there way before start time)

STARTS: PLAZA GUADALUPE– CORNER OF JENSEN AND NAVIGATION
ENDS: RALLY AT ALLEN'S LANDING– CORNER OF MAIN AND COMMERCE

(Wear sun block lotion/hat/sun glasses....bring water)

JIFM partakes in PARADE this weekend!

2006-04-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Tejano Association for Historical Preservation Lorenzo de Zavala Chapter

7th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Hispanic Pride Parade and Celebration in Recognition of our Unions

Parade Begins: Corner of Cesar Chavez Blvd. and Capitol in Houston’s East End

Parade Ends: Hidalgo Park 7000 Ave. Q Houston, Texas 77011-1532

Date: Saturday, April 8, 2006

Time: 10am Speeaches will follow at Hidalgo Park

The Tejano Association for Historical Preservation Lorenzo de Zavala Chapter presents the 7th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Hispanic Pride Parade and Celebration in recognition of our Unions. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 716 will serve as the Parade Marshal. This parade will be in the same manner of the march held over 40 years ago when Cesar Chavez led a group of workers out of California’s vineyards on a 300 mile march, la peregrinacion, (the pilgrimage).

Following the parade you are invited to continue the celebration at Hidalgo Park for speeches by local dignitaries and elected officials. Hidalgo Park is located at 7000 Ave. Q Houston, TX. 77011-1532. For more information call 713-673-1418 or visit http://www.tejanoahp.org/

Take your posters in support of the DREAM Act!! JOIN US!!!

UH SIT-IN MADE FRONT PAGE

2006-04-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

HOUSTON CHRONILCLE
April 6, 2006, 1:08AM

Immigrant students seek path to a dream
Rally at UH urges support for a bill that could lead to careers and citizenship
By CYNTHIA LEONOR GARZACopyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3774764.html

VOLUNTEER TO REGISTER VOTERS ON APRIL 10

2006-04-05T23:36:00.000-05:00

JIFM NEEDS YOU!!!

VOLUNTEER TO REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE AT THE APRIL 10TH MARCH/RALLY

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2006

12NOON

LOCATION: Agnes Arnold (AH) Rm 7 Basement

More information at our meeting Thursday 04/06/06 uc 2nd FL. Rodeo Rm #264

Ceasar Chavez Parade 04/08/06 Magnolia Area 10am JIFM wants you there!!

(more info Thursday night)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for APRIL 10th March/Rally

2006-04-04T09:12:00.000-05:00

The April 10th Coalition NEEDS YOU!!

Many organizations are on board and more are joining. A diverse cross-section of the city will participate.

There are tons of things the Coalition will need help with to conduct this March and Rally.

Positions:
Security
Press
Students
Transportation
Order pace marshals
Outreach
Legal
Voter Registration
First Aid

10,000 people to 25,000 people are expected. We now have 5 days to plan.

***Next April 10th Coalition organization meeting :Tuesday April 4th CRECEN's Office 6601 Hillcroft 77081 6:30om

***JIFM-UH General Meeting: Thursday April 6th UC 2nd Fl. Rodeo Rm # 264 6:30pm

Houston March and Rally for Just Immigration Reform: April 10th

2006-04-03T22:45:00.000-05:00

APRIL 10TH COALITION:
HOUSTON MARCH AND RALLY FOR JUST IMMIGRATION REFORM:
THE NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE

Monday, April 10th
Time: 1pm

STARTS: PLAZA GUADALUPE– CORNER OF JENSEN AND NAVIGATION

ENDS: RALLY AT ALLEN'S LANDING– CORNER OF MAIN AND COMMERCE

***It is also an economic boycott- we're asking people not to buy anything on that day, and skip work if possible (like in "Day without a Mexican").

***We're also asking that students be picked up by parents from school after noon (to avoid punishment or an unexcused absence).

Please forward this on to as many individuals and organizations as you can.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER? LET US KNOW!!!

SO MOVEMENT STARTS

2006-03-26T20:17:00.000-06:00

THE MOVEMENT STARTS
Originally uploaded by juli_juli.

It is impossible to describe this march. There are those that say 5 thousand, i dare to say more than that.

I cannot tell u how much effort went into this, how much passion and heart.
Walk for a DREAM has become a historic event that screams for JUSTICE AND DIGNITY for all immigrants.

We are now asking for the passage of the DREAM Act.

It was incredible to see the youth from all over the city and state that came and shouted their hearts out. My skin crawled several times and i was choked up by something i can't describe when seeing people come together to shout for one common cause.

Thanks to all those that were part of this. I have to give thanks to the girls that are my friends and are behind all this:

-Donajih, for your great job, leadership, and determination; for your experience and sacrifices.

-Tatiana, for your sparkle and dilligence in bringing resources into this event. I applaud your awakening in this movement and admire it.

-Melissa, for your grace and way of bringing a massive program into a brilliant production.

-Genesis, for your unconditional way of showing up and for your ORGANIZATION!!!

-Sandra, I thank you for your initiative into bringing many groups into this event.

-JIFM for showing up and helping in coming through.

I want to thank all those people in UH, outside UH, organizational leaders, sponsors, for your support.

Lets keep it going, now we can't stop!!!

If we don't fight for our DREAM nobody else will!!!

Peace.

-JRC

Proyecto Latinoamericano featuring JIFM girls!!! QUE VIVAN LAS MUJERES!!!!

2006-03-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

Proyecto Latinoamericano feauturing JIFM!!!
Originally uploaded by juli_juli.

After a day with non-stop calls here and there, writing papers, meeting deadlines, meeting with various people, performers.

Wait, we also got some wonderful news, several actually... national coverages, chinese media coming up... thanks Summer:) Following that a meeting with mayor's city council and ending the day with this picture here.

In between that written before... being outside the freezing parking lot of UHD because a certain someone left her car keys, yes... inside the car!!!! UHD police were so kind and helped us out on this.
Wait, we also sped-ate in the car before doing the following:

Henry Cooper in KPFT's show gave us time for his show and we talked about the march and the DREAM ACT. Great huys and his wife Alma so cool too. You also gotta love the music that they play, like nowhere else. Gracias seNor Henry y Alma!!!

A terribly hectic day, but would not have had it any other way.

Listen out for us in La Raza. Tatiana and Genesis will be going to record a segment for nuestra vida in univision. Tatiana then has a radio show later that day.

Friday we are also doing a show in la mera, mera, so listen out folks.

Wish us luck and we hope to see you all and kick some ass together this saturday!

Peace.

banner party!!!!

2006-03-15T01:00:00.000-06:00

banner party
Originally uploaded by juli_juli.

Look at these guys!!!

Today we had a banner party and it was fun, we had a lot of other stuff in the middle of this, interviews and more fun stuff in preparations for the march.

These guys from aap gave their time today and got their hands dirty... literally!!! Thanks guys! Thanks to CMAS and everybody who makes this possible.

We managed to get a lot, a lot of banners done... we need more however... if u have time and want to help come by thursday at CMAS IN UH at 12:30 PM. CMAS is in Agnes Hall 3rd floor. For more questions.... drop a line.

Peace.

CALL SEN. JOHN CORNYN, NOW!!

2006-03-14T20:04:00.000-06:00

EVERYONE! CALL SEN. JOHN CORNYN R(TX) 202-224-2934 NOW

This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee is considering an immigration reform bill that would criminalize charities, rip families apart and deny millions a shot at the American dream.

Before it is too late, please call the Senators on the Judiciary Committee to ask them to make crucial changes to the bill – see below for their phone numbers and please call today.

The immigration bill being debated this week represents the worst of politics and is out of step with American values. In exchange for cheap political points, some Senators have taken aim at immigrants and the values of family, hard work and interdependence that they represent – the same values that have made America what it is.

Everyone, including undocumented immigrants themselves, believes that America's immigration system is broken. But the Senate bill would make the problem even worse and would turn American values upside down.
These are just some of the outrageous provisions in the bill:

Anyone – churches, family members, community groups, doctors, teachers – who helps an undocumented immigrant with shelter, food, etc. could be considered a Federal criminal and could be sent to jail.
Young people who have lived in this country most of their lives would be denied a pathway to citizenship and deported, rather than being given a shot at college and the American dream.

Please call Senators on the Judiciary Committee at one of the phone numbers below and ask them to create an immigration reform bill that reflects your values.

The stakes are high. Senators are now being flooded with calls, emails and letters from angry individuals demanding that undocumented people be rounded up and deported. The House of Representatives has already passed legislation that would dedicate millions of our tax dollars to this plan for mass arrests. If the Senate follows suit, the government would begin this unbelievable effort to arrest millions of men, women and children who simply want a shot at the American dream.

This is why Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles has courageously instructed his diocese to defy this law if it is passed. We are on the verge of a new and frightening America – our call to action is urgent.
Please join me and countless others in this effort to stop what may become the most dangerous immigration bill in generations.

PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY

Please find your Senator on the list below and make a call today. If your Senator is not a member of the Judiciary Committee, please call the Judiciary Committee main number to make your voice heard.

The Judiciary Committee should have two opportunities to fix the immigration bill before it gets voted on by the whole Senate:

***If introduced the Kennedy Amendment would actually substitute the McCain/Kennedy bill introduced last year for Specter's comprehensive immigration reform bill, and provide a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented people working and contributing to the United States today.

***If introduced the Durbin Amendment would attach the DREAM Act to the Specter bill. The DREAM Act would allow youth who are undocumented to become citizens either by attending two years of college or serving for two years in the military.

Below is Some Language You Can Use When Calling:

"I am calling to express my opinion regarding the markup of Sen. Specter's comprehensive immigration reform bill. I am asking the Senator to support the Kennedy Amendment and support the Durbin Amendment on the DREAM Act."

Support Kennedy Amendment.
Support Durbin Amendment.

Main Judiciary Committee Phone Number and
Chairman Arlen Specter, (R-PA), 202-224-4254

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), 202-224-2934

"WALK FOR A DREAM"

2006-03-07T20:28:00.000-06:00

NEWS ADVISORY
For more information and on-site contact:
Julita Rincon, 832.298.3404
Donajih R. Robles, 832.455.4074

“Walk for a DREAM”
Saturday, March 25

What: “Walk for a DREAM” March and Rally
This march is symbolic because ALL students are encouraged to continue their education. They then graduate from college, but undocumented students are not able to work because of their immigration status.

When: Saturday, March 25, 2006 from 11 a.m. to 2p.m

Where: Chestnut St. & Henry St./Near “Northside” by Jeff Davis High School (1101 Quitman Houston, TX 77009), proceeding to the University of Houston-Downtown (1 Main St.) where we will end with a rally (12:30-2 pm). Left side of UH-D’s free speech platform.

Why: Every year thousands of immigrant students graduate from high school and because of their immigration status they cannot continue their professional careers. A bipartisan proposal called the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) would facilitate access to postsecondary educational opportunities for immigrant students in the United States who currently face barriers in pursing a college education. The “DREAM Act” would also allow hardworking youth who have long resided in the U.S. the chance to adjust their status, enabling them to contribute fully to our society.

Who: Jóvenes Inmigrantes por un Futuro Mejor-Texas
(Young Immigrants for a Better Future) is a student driven organization advocating for immigrant student rights and for the enactment of the DREAM Act.

2006-03-05T23:49:00.000-06:00

"Walk for a DREAM"

Saturday, March 25th

11 AM

HENRY AND CHESTNUT

@600 Quitman (behind the elementary and near Davis High School)

Come and let's walk our way down to UHD (One Main ST)

After the walk we are holding a rally at UHD where we will be featuring performances and speakers.

***For more information please call: 832`455 4074, also call: 832 298 3404

IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR OUR DREAM NOBODY ELSE WILL!!!!

Stop HR 4437

2006-02-13T15:28:00.000-06:00

Stop HR 4437
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

A caravan from San Diego, California stoped at Houston's CRECEN to collect letters and donations to end at the nations capitol in Washington DC.

The purpose? To STOP HR 4437....

Last December, the House of Representatives passed anti-immigrant HR 4437, introduced by GOP Rep. James Sensenbrenner (Wis.).

• It would make all undocumented workers felons, as well as those who help or work with them including teachers, clergy, union leaders, social workers and family members.

• Employers would have to check the Social Security numbers of all their employees.

• An environmentally destructive wall would be built along the Mexican border.

• Local and state police would be deputized to arrest anyone they think may be without documents. This would vastly increase racial profiling and scare immigrants away from reporting crimes.

This is no solution! It is another way of diminishing the democratic rights of the people in our country.

HR 4437 must be defeated in the Senate. Just and workable immigration reform should be passed instead.

What are the reasons for immigration?

Increased immigration is the result of the declining living standards and job displacement caused by NAFTA and other pro-big-business policies pushed by our government. To provide a better future for their families, immigrants are pushed and pulled to come here, at great cost and risk, to live without papers and suffer great indignities. This puts immigrant workers in a vulnerable position and forces them into substandard wages and working conditions. Employers and others use the immigrants’ vulnerability as a lever to lower living standards and quality of life for all.

Don’t buy the big lie.

Immigrants are accused of causing every social problem, and especially of taking jobs and services they are not entitled to. This is not true.

Working people as a whole, including immigrants, pay a larger share of the tax burden than the rich and receive fewer benefits. The profits made from the work of immigrants and all workers are being taxed less and less and sometimes not at all.

Immigrants don’t fire or hire people. They do not outsource jobs, downsize workplaces, raise prices or premiums. They are victims of big business too. For more jobs and services, we need to tax exploitative profits!

We need positive immigration reform.

History shows that as long as extremes of inequality exist between countries, labor migration will continue. The pro-corporate policies of our government that impoverish other nations must be changed. Immigration law should protect the interests of both immigrant and non-immigrant workers.

Organized labor and community and religious groups urge the following constructive program for immigration reform:

• Legalization with a clear path to citizenship must be allowed for existing undocumented immigrants, and future immigrants, with a priority on family reunification.

• Immigrants must be able to participate in labor, religious, civic and cultural activities without fear of deportation.

• “Guest worker” programs have historically been prone to exploitation. Separate has never been equal. Instead, implement improved labor protections and stronger enforcement for immigrants and citizen workers.

Repressive policies like those proposed in HR 4437 must be rejected. They are unjust and counterproductive, and make immigrant workers more vulnerable to exploitation and other injustices.

Immigration policy is scheduled for debate in the Senate in February. Contact and urge your senators today to reject HR 4437 and all repressive anti-immigrant measures, and to vote for legalization of immigrants with a clear path to citizenship and full labor and civil rights for all people. Call the congressional switchboard: (202) 224-3121.

donajih-

JIFM-UH representing @ George R. Brown

2006-02-05T17:17:00.000-06:00

JIFM-UH representing
Originally uploaded by juli_juli.

From left to right" Genesis, Tatiana, Daniel, and Melissa. Not on photo: Sandra, Julita, that is it i beleive.

These guys u see were working our booth! They gave so much information and networked with so many people it was awesome.

We also got our march very well publicized, it was only the beginning of this march which promises to be something.

Thanks guys!

Peace.

Thoughts under fire

2006-02-01T21:45:00.000-06:00

anti-racist action
Originally uploaded by juli_juli.

Hi JIFM,

It has been a while since i have not given a holler on this blog. I hope that somebody reads this, i am sure somebody does out there...

Maybe we had already posted this picture in the past, but i thought it suited my mood tonite.

Yesterday i was in our carrel space to put some time as we all should (jeje... that does not happen i know, my utopian thoughts). Well, to my surprise i came to clean up our desk and we have begun to receive some hate mail/disagrements on campus from what i can only assume are/is other student organizations.

I have also been told by fellow jovenes of receiving "intimadating" phone calls or how can i say it??? Well, calls that try to stop us from doing what we do. I, myself have been in the position several times, but it always ends up being some action with ignorant and subjective principles.

What i am trying to say tonite is that if you consider this factor the one stopping you from being active in JIFM i can tell you: 1)i understand the "iffynnes" in your psychology and i don't blame you. 2)These groups are often driven by hate and unsubstantial arguments that end up fading when WE, the voice that resonates rises to theirs. 3) If we don't stand up to them with smart and objective moves then nobody else will.

Do not misunderstand me, we must all be careful when we engage in activities that might compromise our positions. We cannot afford to be in any situation that might endanger us.

I can only urge you to give some time to JIFM and the most exciting event awaiting us, our MARCH: "WALK FOR A DREAM" coming up in March 25th (cross ur fingers). History keeps repeating itself and we can only learn from it: "LA UNION HACE LA FUERZA" We must unite as the young generation that is awaiting change, deep change.

It is our time Jovenes!

I hope that u take these words and really give me some good or bad feedback; i really can't wait for this march and to see each of your faces out there.

May everything be working out for you.

As always, keep the faith.

Peace.

juli-

"IF WE DON'T FIGHT FOR OUR DREAM NOBODY ELSE WILL!

Meeting Minutes Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006

2006-01-30T12:54:00.000-06:00

Thank you to those who attended the meeting!!!!

Past Event----

1st Informational March Meeting @ CMAS-UH
Saturday, January 21, 2006
----- Though there was low attendance, some logistics about the march were discussed. A 2nd meeting is planned for Friday, January 27, 2006 at 7:00PM at CMAS.

Linda Lorelle College Preparatory Conference@ George R. Brown Convention Center
Saturday, January 21, 2006
------ Information about JIFM, HB1403, DREAM Act was distributed.
Many good contacts were made---- we spoke to a lot of interested Jóvenes, parents and others supporters that want to get involved, especially with the march

Upcoming Events---

2nd Informational March Meeting @ CMAS-UH
Friday , January 27, 2006 @ 7PM
~~~~~If you are interested in helping with preparation for the march it is crucial that you attend this meeting.

JIFM Board Meeting @ Lee High School
Sat, January 28, 2006 ---- 9-10am (always)
Everyone is invited to attend this board meeting. Though you will only be observing the meeting, you still get an insight of what is happening with other JIFM chapters at different campuses.

Houston Hispanic Forum---Career and Education Day 2006
Saturday, February 4, 2006
Exhibit Hall Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenue de Las Americas, Houston, TX 77001
**** We need volunteers to help with this event. If you are interested in helping distribute information, talk to students and/or potential supporters; contact us via email to let us know. (Remember you don’t have to be there all day, if you have an hour, it is enough.)

Coalition for Higher Education Meeting @ HCC Southeast
Friday, February 10th ----- 11:00 to 1:00PM
The Coalition has a JIFM Committee. We would like all Jóvenes interested to attend this meeting to give feedback about what we (JIFM-UH) are doing. This is also a great chance to network.

Issues Discussed-----

Ø Event Attendance- Because the majority of us are full time students and have jobs and other responsibilities to take care of, we understand that we might all be able to attend all events. For this reason, JIFM had decided to implement a new “rule”.
If an event requires more than 2 or more people, such as a conference, and no more that 2 people have signed up to help, we will not attend that event.
Though JIFM would love to attend all events in order to continue our goal of educating the public of our organization and our cause, this is not possible if only the same 2 people volunteer at every event. We encourage everyone to attend at least one event.

Our next meeting will be:

Thursday, February 9, 2006 @ 6:30p
University of Houston- University Center (UC)
Rodeo Rm. 264
2nd floor

This weeks events 01/23-27/06

2006-01-25T09:06:00.000-06:00

Hope that your academics are coming along as planned...

This weeks events include:

1st meeting 6:30pm Thursday, Jan. 26th, Rodeo Rm# 264

Tamales Sale PGH Breezeway 10a-2p 01/26/06
Volunteer or Bring Donations

Informational "March" Meeting Friday 01/27/06 7pm
Location TBA

See you then,
donajih

2006 SPRING Semester Meeting DATES

2006-01-23T15:16:00.000-06:00

This semesters' meeting dates are as follows:

Time: 6:30 pm UC 2nd Floor

#1 January 26 UC Rodeo Rm. #264

#2 Febuary 9 TBA

#3 Febuary 23 UC Rodeo Rm. #264

#4 March 9 UC Lone Star Rm. #280

#5 March 23 UC Rodeo Rm. #264

#6 April 6 UC Rodeo Rm. #264

#7 April 20 UC Lone Star Rm. #280

#8 May 4 TBA

#9 May 18 TBA

If you would like to receive e-mails from JIFM-UH please e-mail us
at jifmuhcentral@gmail.com

We hope to see you at our meetings were lots will be discussed
in terms of activities and updates on immigration and students.

Thank You,
Donajih

PS...

1. JIFM needs VOLUNTEERS to woman/man the table this Wednesday the 25th from 11A - 2P in the UC for Activities Mart (interested let us know) We will have a table to exhibit our display and give out information and MOST importantly recruit students!!!

2. We will having a Tamales Sale Thursday Jan. 26th at the PGH Brezeeway 9a - 2p. We need VOLUNTEERS to man/women the table and also need donations like: Bottled water, "Coke" drinks, baked goods. If you want to help make the tamales let us know too.

a FRESH new START!!

2006-01-16T17:47:00.000-06:00

In celebration of The Nobel Peace Prize Winner (1964), Martin Luther King Jr. we would like for everyone to keep in mind the final and most powerful speech "I have a DREAM." (http://www.hpol.org/record.php?id=720 08/28/1963) It it's very inspirational and worth listening too.
______________________________________

Thank you for an active FAll '05 Semester. Spring '06 kicks-off with an array of activities to continue our campaign for the passage of the DREAM Act. Therefore, it is important that we count with your enthusiastic invovelment for our student-driven organization. We urge you to participate with JIFM-UH as 2006 is the DEFINITE year for immigration reform.

We will keep you posted on Meeting Dates SOON....but our tentative first meeting will be January 26, 2006 accompanied by a Tamales Sale that same day.... Please be patient, we know everyone in eagered to help and we are ecstatic for that...

Thank you,
JIFM-UH

Human Rights March

2005-12-11T02:52:00.000-06:00

First stop of Human Rights March
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

We started at Guadalupe Plaza at about 10:15am. The people were lined up when I got there.

They all wore a nice "Border Network for Human Rights" t-shit. They caried banners, American Flags, and high spirits to finish the 10-mile march.

The march consisted of 4 educational stops. One were JIFM was able to talk about the DREAM Act with true stories. There were lots of students supporting the cause.

EDUCATION IS A HUMAN RIGHT!!

The "caminates" were very enthusiastic, alive, chanting and expressing how they felt.

We then finsihed at a US federal Court, were the media was waiting for us. Those who wanted to speak did so. By this time it had drizzled, it was windy and it was getting colder.

The march ended at Tranquality Park with at Rally. It was a great experince and I know for a fact that everyone enjoyed it...

Thanks to all high school and college students who took their saturday and made it a meaningful one!!

Fight for Immigrant (Human) Rights!!

Getting in line..

2005-12-11T02:32:00.000-06:00

Getting in line..
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

We finished the 1st informational stop and continued to the 2nd stop.
A stop were JIFM was able to explain with true stories the fight that undocument students face after graduating from COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY!

There were over 75-100 kids, adults and students.

This Week's Events...

2005-12-06T21:45:00.000-06:00

This Week's Events

12/06/05, Tuesday
Human Rights March meeting @ AFL-CIO to organize all the organizations who will be participating in this Saturday's march. Food and Drinks will be provided, & a T-shirt, if you rsvp.
***If you want to attend please let us know, via e-mail or blog!!
http://www.borderaction.org/ (for more information)

12/07/05, Wednesday
Lamar High School Spanish Parent Presentation
6 - 8p 3325 Westheimer Houston, TX 77098
We need Volunteers!! Visit Yahoo maps to find a correct map.

12/08/05, Thursday
HISD Board Meeting,
3pm @ Hattie Mae White Administration Building,
3830 Richmond Avenue Houston, TX 77027-5802 Please visit yahoo maps to find the right locations.
***If you would like to speak that day, please fill out a registration form.

Because not everything is work sometimes we like to have fun, join us next week for a social!!!!
Skybar on Thursday the 15th, (salsa nights)???
Any suggestions post your comments...

Christmas is around the corner but JIFM-UH will still be meeting and working on next year's PROJECTS. Now is the perfect time to start a new year with a stronger drive to be involved.

JIFM-UH

Incredible Guest Speaker

2005-12-02T14:57:00.000-06:00

Dec1mtg
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

Fransisco "Pancho" Arguelles from Highlander Institute came to our last meeting with great information.

Pancho was at our last meeting to give us a mini-seminar on how to be effective organizers and gave us tips on progressive social change activism.

Highlander Institute sponsors educational programs and research into community problems, as well as a residential Workshop Center for social change organizations, like JIFM-UH.

For more information visit their website:www.highlandercenter.org

He was just inspirational, encouraging and most importantly gave us new knowledge!!

Thank You Pancho!!

T-shirt (Backside)

2005-12-02T14:37:00.000-06:00

T-shirts for $12.00
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

Hi everyone, we really would like for everyone to purchase a t-shirt. We are also working on having the backside include a short "motto" in different languages.

For example:

Education is a Human Right
Education not Deportation
I have a right to an Education

or something of that sort, realting to the DREAM Act and Education....

post your suggestion!!!

Donajih

T-shirt (Frontside)

2005-12-02T14:32:00.000-06:00

JIFM T-shirt Frontside
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

CHECK OUT OUR FIRST T-SHIRT!!!

ONLY $12.00!!

E-MAIL US TO rsvp YOUR shirt...

Hot Tamales Sales

2005-12-02T14:25:00.000-06:00

Hot Tamales Sales
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

Thanks to these people who commit to VOLUNTEERING the day of the sale and of course thanks to those who DONATED in any way....

-Donajih-

Let's go clubbin'now! :)

TAMALES SOLD OUT!

2005-12-01T16:50:00.000-06:00

Thanks to all who participated in the tamale sale today. Those who made tamales, donated, advertised, and especially those that gave a little of their time to woman/man the table. It was a success!

It was 1PM and all the tamales were sold out. People were upset. That means we are doing more tamales with chocolate, or champurrado. We are doing another sale first week of next spring semester, so look out!

We made over $ 300.00!

I want to especially thank Doña Alma- Donajih's mom. She led us in the tamale making process and gave us her space to make them. If you want to order tamales, please get in touch with us an we will get you in touch with Doña Alma. They are pretty delicious tamales btw.

We are heading to our meeting in just a bit: UC- Satellite Claudette Room @ 6:30 PM. Remember that we have Pancho Arguelles as our guest speaker... and yes we also have flan, my mom made it.

PS-- T-Shirts are out, come and grab yours today!

-JRC

TAMALES FOR SALE!!!

2005-11-29T22:54:00.000-06:00

JIFM-UH WILL BE SELLING:
HOMEMADE TAMALES (BEEF, CHICKEN AND CHEESE)

JIFM-UH Tamales Sale
Set-up Time: 9:30-10:00
Thursday the 1st of December
PGH Breezeway
10a -2p

Meeting at Donajih’s House to make the TAMALES:
5 Minutes from UH.
Take Elgin North, It will convert into Lockwood Dr.
Make a Turn on Right on Polk St,
Then Right on Dumble St.
Turn on Clay St. Arrive at 4733 Clay, 77023. First house on the right.
For more Information call: 832-455-4074 Donajih

Shift Schedule: 10-2
It is imperative that you commit to the time you Volunteered, we are counting on you!!
Donajih 9:30-10-30
Rafa 10-12
Sandra 10-?
Tatiana 12:30-1
Albert ?
Marisol 1-2
Julita 1-2
Anyone else let us know WHAT TIME YOU ARE AVAILABLE… ASAP

Items Donated:
Please keep in mind that the items must be dropped of EARLY at set-up time (9:30am) or be taken to Donajih’s House the day before!!!

1. Water Bottles- Donajih
2. Chopped Lettuce or tomatoes- Julita
3. Plates-Albert
4. Napkins / Forks- Melissa
5. Gloves for sanitary use- Jose
6. Salsa (green or red)- Donajih
7. Baked Goods (pan dulce or brownies)- Julita, Jesus,
8. Cokes- Rafa
9. Posters promoting the Sale- Sandra, Donajih
10. Hot pan / Microwave- Donajih
11. Cooler-Julita
12. Foil- Julita
13. Brown paper Bags (to go) Jose
14. Extension Cord- Albert and Rafa

If you are working on a poster, the following are a couple of things you can add to the poster.

JIFM-UH
TAMALES FOR SALE
$1 Tamales (salsa, lettuce and tomatoes:optional)

50 cent sodas
75 cents bottled water
50 Brownies and
75 Pan Dulce

Hope to see everyone there.
Keep a LOOK out for our JIFM-UH t-shirts, soon for sale!!

JIFM-UH

If nobody fights for our DREAM nobody else will!!!

When writing becomes a great resource!

2005-11-27T11:35:00.000-06:00

Hi Jóvenes!

I can't believe the weekend is almost over, but everything has to come to an end... which means back to work!
Knowing that we have the march on top of us, i have begun harrasing my family with letters asking them to make gifts to JIFM- that is: to donate. No seriously.. they always ask me how can they help in my education, so the day came when they can help...LOL!
We have city permits to pay for when we march- the money is not 20 bucks.. it is much more than that. Yes, we have the T-shirts coming and the tamale sale which will help, but they won't be enough, so i am asking you to take that extra step and begin your personal fundraising!

Here is my sample letter- i did two versions because i have to send one in Spanish and one in English to the cousins. You'll be surprised on the positive response that you will receive. This the idea... i added more personal stuff to make them feel it and write that check, but that is just my nature.. it was good stuff too :-)

This is a personal decision, i know that you might feel like this might be a burden to your family, and i initially felt like that, but after talking to a few of them i realized how much they really wanted to help out, even if it is five bucks guys. It is up to you.

Spanish:
el 24 de noviembre del 2005
Querido Tio______________,

Como ustedes saben estoy estudiando psicología en la universidad de Houston. Precisamente el año antes que me gradué de la preparatoria en el 2001- se aprobó la ley que ahora me permite estudiar a pesar de mi estatus migratorio: H.B. 1403 que nos permite a los estudiantes indocumentados en Texas asistir a la universidad pagando cuotas residenciales. El dilema que enfrentamos es que va a pasar con nuestros titulos una vez nos graduemos si no podemos ejercer nuestras carreras profesionales de una forma legal.

Por esta razón nos hemos organizado un grupo de estudiantes formando nuestra propia lucha para que se legalize una reforma llamada DREAM Act ante el congreso de los Estados Unidos. Esta reforma migratoria legalizaria el estatus de 65,000 estudiantes que nos graduamos en todo el país anualmente. Nuestra organización se llama Jóvenes Inmigrantes Por Un Futuro Mejor: http://www.uhjifm.org/. Les hago una cordial invitación para que donen a nuestra lucha la cuál servirá para cubrir los gastos de los permisos que pide la ciudad para efectuar nuestra marcha que se llevará a cabo próximamente en el centro de Houston. La marcha es con el propósito de incrementar el apoyo de la comunidad y de la prensa sobre este tema de si… dignidad…. pero más importante todavia: EDUCACION! La donación puede ser en efectivo o en cheque para Jóvenes Inmigrantes Por Un Futuro Mejor @ UH.

Muchas Gracias.

Julita Rincón Corona

English:

Dear__________

As you know I am currently studying psychology at the University of Houston. Precisely the year before that I graduated from High School in 2002, House Bill 1403 was passed in Texas-, which allows undocumented students such as myself to attend college and pay in-state tuition. The dilemma that I, along with thousands face is what is to happen to our degrees if we cannot legally pursue our degrees in this country.

As a result, I, along with many other students have begun our own fight in order to advocate strongly for the DREAM Act- a piece of legislation that would grant undocumented students temporary residency under certain requirements and eventually allow us to pursue our professional careers. Currently, 65,000 students graduate annually and are unable to pursue their dreams in colleges because of our “illegal status” in great part of the USA. The DREAM Act would change this. Our organization called: Jóvenes Inmigrantes Por Un Futuro Mejor- Young Immigrants For A Better Future http://www.uhjifm.org/ is cordially inviting you to make a gift which would cover the city permits for our future march taking place in Houston. The purpose of the march is to increase awareness among our community and the press on this issue, which is an issue of, yes… dignity, but most importantly: EDUCATION! Your donation can be made in cash or in check payable to Jóvenes Inmigrantes Por Un Futuro Mejor @ UH.

Thank you,

Julita Rincón

Sign the Dream Act Petition

2005-11-24T22:17:00.000-06:00

Hey guys this is such a cool website. Not only can you sign a petition, but you can contact President Bush, read up about the Dream Act, and visit immigration forums.

Sign this petition. we need to make our voices heard. It's easy. Just click on the link below and click on the button that says ClickHere .

http://www.immigration.com/improving_immigration/dreamact.html

Send a 'Thank You' to the Senators who introduced the DREAM Act

2005-11-22T18:21:00.000-06:00

Hey Jovenes
Here is a quick and easy way to say THANKS to Senator Durbin and Hagel for introducing the DREAM Act.
You can write your own personal message or just send the one already written.
It just takes a couple of minutes.

http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/NILC/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1551&t=DREAM%20blank.dwt

Some memories from demonstration

2005-11-22T15:07:00.000-06:00

planning to meet woolridge
Originally uploaded by juli_juli.

What's going on Jovenes?

I get to post some pictures from last week's demonstration... Here we were getting ready to meeting Woolridge since he decided that his initial place of demonstrating was not one where students would listen.. ha!

Are you ready?! I am not hallucinating

2005-11-21T00:02:00.000-06:00

What is going on JIFM!

Ready? Are you really ready to read what you are about to?! One more thing before i go on... these news don't mean that we slack off in our fight. Today, now more than ever we should keep up the fight stronger than ever before.

So this is what i was holding on to until Monday because we were not supposed to post anything until Monday according to NILC. I got this mesage Friday, Friday the 18th but I had to hold on to the news until today.... I waited until 12 AM to post this.

Enough of this now... read below and go crazy, write your reactions so that we can read your reactions and love it:)

My reaction: Who hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If we don't fight for our DREAM nobody else will!

-JRC

Great news! This afternoon, a bipartisan group of Senators officially introduced the DREAM Act of 2005, giving new life to legislation that has been in a holding pattern since the beginning of the year.

The sponsor of the DREAM Act of 2005 is Richard Durbin (D-IL), and the lead Republican cosponsors are Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN). The other original cosponsors are Norm Coleman (R-MN), Larry Craig (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), and Barack Obama (D-IL).

It will become law if passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President before the end of 2006.

Immigration Seminar - helpful?

2005-11-19T14:16:00.000-06:00

Greetings from our library!

It is a day of catching up with school work indeed. Genesis and I just left the immigration seminar because it was just not helpful to us. While i asked the lawyer several questions regarding the status of undocumented students who hold no status whatsoever.... he basically said that we should just pray because the HI-B visa( the worker certification visa- one that would grant you a working visa after you have obtained your bachelors degree and you have an employer willing to sponsor you) is just not valid for you unless you have a status of any kind- that is, if you hold a tourist status for example. So, if you are like me... you have fallen out of status, hold no current companion or tourist visa or anything of the sort then this HI-B visa is no good to you.

I have a hard copy of the power point presentation since our technology died during the presentation in case anyone wants a copy. Let me know and i can get hard copies and give them to you in our next meeting.

Yes, nothing new we didn't know was explained to us. We left however knowing some information that we didn't know before. Note*** i was a little burned when he praised the guest worker program, all i was thinking is how can he support a "bracero" program. I asked him about the pros and cons of the program, but he failed to answer my questions. Maybe i was a little jumpy though, i couldn't believe his words.

Kuddos to Rebecca who hosted us with refreshments. I saw some Jóvenes there, so i am glad that you all found this more helpful to you... maybe- i hope so.

It has been a rough week--- but i have some news i am just supposed to hold on to until Monday morning. They are great news actually.... keep posted!

****One more note**** t-shirts are almost ready, i hope that you like them, they should be ready for the last meeting, so bring your cash:)- Dec 1st. Also, we have a tamale sale that day from 10-2 in PGH.

Peace... No wait... If we don't fight for our DREAM nobody else will!

-JRC

FRONT PAGE- COULD IT BE?

2005-11-17T12:21:00.000-06:00

What's up JIFM and supporters,

Check it out, we are front page in the Daily Cougar. The Daily Cugar also reivindicated itself by posting Jose's letter in the opinion section after using his name twice this week in incorrect publications.

Reminder**** Today we are meeting in the library, back room-technology room in front of the UC to have a video conference, this is so exciting. Meet us at 5:15 PM outside, we then will be heading to the basement to have the conference at 5:30 PM.
Also, if you are able to make it at 2:30 PM today, Lilian needs us to contribute to her lecture in a social movement class she is teaching. It will be in AH building 1st floor. Call me, email me: jifmuhcentral@gmail.com to get you in touch with with her.***********

Peace.

-JRC

Activist sparks heated debate

By Barrett Goldsmith Senior Staff Writer

Instead, the object of their criticism, Frosty Wooldridge, an anti-immigration activist and author, set up shop in a drop-in expression area adjacent to the power plant and between the University Center and the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library. Wooldridge had planned to deliver a speech opposing mass immigration, specifically a 2001 Texas House bill that allows foreign-born, non-resident students to attend Texas universities and pay in-state tuition rates.
"I realized that there wasn't anyone (at the park) that was really interested in hearing what I had to say," he said. "So I just came over here to answer some questions for anyone who was interested."

Nearly 100 UH students protested against anti-immigration activist Frosty Wooldridge, who was on campus Wednesday to speak out against a controversial Texas House bill. A group of nearly 100 protesters marched along a grassy patch in Lynn Eusan Park on Wednesday, showing their opposition to a speech that never came.
______________________
Matt Dulin/The Daily Cougar
Eventually the crowd -- all the members of which seemed opposed to Wooldridge's message -- moved to the free speech zone, surrounding Wooldridge and Preston Wiginton, who organized the event. Many held signs, and a few groups of several dozen stood behind large ground-level banners.

Wooldridge spoke mainly of global politics and the way in which mass immigration negatively impacts a developed nation like the United States. The speech was planned as part of a six-school tour of Texas universities.

"I want to start a reasoned debate about the future of this country, a future that is in jeopardy from the constant wave of new people coming across our borders," Wooldridge said. "You have a country that's overpopulated and without the resource to help the people that are already here. We don't need to keep adding more people we don't have room for."
But the protesters seemed to take more issue with Wiginton, whose rhetoric was more fiery and accusatory. A large crowd coalesced around Wiginton and a Wooldridge supporter who would identify himself only as "George."

UH Police Department officers were on hand to ensure the safety of the participants, and at several points their presence may have prevented the debate from escalating into something else. At one point, Wiginton caused an uproar when he said European settlers were right to subdue the Native Americans with force, and that Manifest Destiny was a high point in the country's history.

But most of the debate remained civil, as the protesters disputed Wiginton's claims about the bill that favors non-resident students, which he argued should be overturned.
"This is not an immigration issue, this is an education issue," said Julia Rincon, president of Young Immigrants for a Better Future. "This is about giving people who have come to this country the chance to better themselves and contribute to society."

Student Government Association Speaker Pro-Tem Mark Annas, a member of the UH College Republicans, and Carlos Ayala of the UH Young Democrats were united in support of the bill.
"He called and asked if I would sponsor his petition against the bill, and I said ëno way,'" Annas said. "College Republicans won't support something that prevents people from getting an education."

Ayala said Wooldridge and Wiginton were incorrect in their assessment of the bill, pointing out that students must have lived in Texas and attended a Texas high school for at least three years to qualify for in-state tuition.

dcnews@mail.uh.edu

SUCCESSFUL DEMOSTRATION !!!

2005-11-16T20:50:00.000-06:00

We had a great turn-out today!!!

First of all, THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF HB 1403 STUDENTS AND THE FIGHT FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS.

I was really excited to see a very diverse group debating with the anti-immigrant "author." Also, Mr. Winginton wasted his time and money in coming to UH. The UH community is so diverse and liberal and most importantly open-minded. UH students do not support racist actions and especially denying an education to all students no matter what their legal status might be.

I was especially glad to see people take initiatives on behalf of the organization.

Everyone check out Univision 45 tonight for a story on the demostration.

We will be posting pictures soon, so keep posted!!!

Thanks to all who helped with the Petitions we collected 257.

-Donajih Robles :) -

If we don't fight for our DREAM nobody else will! -julita rincon

URGENT, PLEASE COME!

2005-11-15T12:51:00.000-06:00

The Daily COUGAR posted our letter. They also published a front page story on Woolridge speaking tomorrow and the rally awaiting.

Guys, we will be there. I just spoke to Maria Jimenez and she is doing a press release for us.

We will be also distributing FOR HB 1403 petitions and also..... we are having a fact sheet. Please spread the word, we need to get out there and get on the ball.

We cannot let this guy get away with his unsubstantial and hateful propaganda. This is a way to get our agenda out there and educate our classmates and coogs on this education issue. That is right.... this is and EDUCATION issue. We need to start somewhere.

We are also taking footage of this event, more for the documentary right?

Eusan Park is the platform that is next to the cullen administration building and students services bldg. As if you are going toward the Moody Towers. Call me with ?'s. Or email us, u know where.

Show up, its all peaceful rememeber that.

Peace.

-JRC

one more to the editorial

2005-11-14T14:48:00.000-06:00

Hey Jóvenes,

I hope that your Monday has kicked off with blessings.
Lets see if the daily cougar posts something this week. They did however post Jose's name under a letter to the editor, they messed up- it was not Jose's letter.

I am sharing mine with you today. Thanks Tacho and Lilian:) I just sent it and i don't know if it'll get published or not, but it is getting posted in our blog.

-JRC

To the editor,

I doubt that most of our student body and staff at the University of Houston are aware of the number of students that attend college under House Bill 1403. It is even more surprising to know of those students that attend our university not knowing themselves that they are House Bill 1403 students.

This past Thursday, November 17th our university newspaper published an ad that was petitioning against House Bill 1403.

What is House Bill 1403? House Bill 1403 is a residency bill that allows us, undocumented students, to pay in-state tuition. In order to qualify for this bill one must have graduated from a Texas High School, lived in the state of Texas for three years or more, and provide the university with an affidavit of intent to become a permanent resident.

The ad published by our newspaper was one with hateful and racist essence.

My question to the staff is: Do they know who Preston Wiginton is? Are you aware of his racist rampages? If one goes to his petition website http://www.petitionagainsthb1403.com/ one can also arrive to places of hate-mongers that target African America elected officials and Latinos. Mr. Wiginton turned off his blog which had images against African Aid for example as soon as we exposed his identity to the public.

In a way, I thank Mr. Wiginton, as he calls himself, for exposing the usual clichés in his ad- such as these illegal immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans, they do not pay taxes, they receive scholarships, and financial aid. My answer to his arguments Mr. Wiginton and UH: Is that we are not taking jobs from Americans because we simply cannot work in our own fields once we graduate and we do pay taxes, in fact The New York Times published earlier this year "... illegal immigrant workers in the United States are now providing the system with a subsidy of as much as $7 billion a year....Moreover, the money paid by illegal immigrants and their employers is factored into all the Social Security Administration's projections." We are not just contributing to the Social Security Administration but we also pay into Medicare taxes, $1.5 billion a year. Plus living in this capitalist society, many of the major corporations make billions of our spending power. Total consumer spending by the Hispanic population reached $531 billion in 2002. Thus, if Mr. Wiginton wants to question the financial aid that House Bill 1403 student receive, then let me make it clear that the funds available to us are not federal aid; on a first come first serve basis some of us may receive funds from a Texas Grant. This is not a privilege, it is our right!

Let’s step away from the usual cliché: these students were brought here by their parents, we cannot blame them for their parent’s decision. I thank my parents for bringing me to this country. We came here for the reasons that everybody else comes, to have a better life, a better education. It is time to take responsibility for our actions and stop playing the blaming game.

Did the staff in the daily cougar bother to find out who he was and what his background was? Is our newspaper, a tax-funded newspaper in that much need of monetary aid that they are willing to post hateful ads? I understand and am for free speech, but what about standards? Isn’t this supposed to be a newspaper training future journalists? Does UH really want all HB1403 students to attend another university? Or have these students do without an education?

The issue exposed here is an education issue. The fact of the matter is that we, undocumented students are attending universities all over the nation. In our university there are roughly 300 House Bill 1403 students. Hint to our friend Preston, it is not 146 students at UH, it is more than that you see. We are graduating from college and cannot obtain jobs in our careers because we are said to be “illegal”. Every year, it is estimated that 65,000 students graduate from high schools that are also undocumented. Currently, our organization at UH-Jóvenes Inmigrantes Por Un Futuro Mejor-Young Immigrants For A Better Future is advocating for the DREAM Act- a piece of legislation that would legalize our status and allow us the space to continue our careers. We are working with many grassroots organizations across the state and the country to educate everyone on this issue; I begin here today, in my university newspaper.

Julita Rincón

Letters to the editorial and more

2005-11-13T20:43:00.000-06:00

Hi JIFM,- what's going on?

I know, one more week, i think the weekend wasn't long enough, but we got one more letter that is going to the editorial this week. This is Summer's letter below, she emailed it to us. If you wanna do the same for others to read them submit it to us : jifmuhcentral@gmail.com

The stories/ letters would ideally be submitted this week early so that they can publish something ideally Tuesday or Thursday, the days when more students are on campus, lets strategize guys!

Also, Dos Centavos blog posted more information about the dude that paid the hateful ad in the daily cougar, take a look at what Dos Centavos tells us: http://dos-centavos.blogspot.com/2005/11/preston-wiginton.html

Thanks Tacho!

-JRC

I am outraged at the fact the daily cougar published such an incorrect and disrespectful article about HB1403 students. People who benefit under the HB1403 are not simply illegals. We are Americans. We came to America when we were young, we grew up in America.
We are educated under the same system as every American out there. We gather and fight for our rights even if we are labeled as ¡§illegals¡¨. We are Americans in every sense of the word except the approval of the government. Therewere numerous inaccuracies in that article.
First of all, most people who qualify under the HB1403 do not qualify for government aid and grants.
The same people who qualify for HB1403 cannot work legally even if they get their degrees after college. HB1430 cannot take jobs away in the fields of Engineering and Medicine because they simply will not be hired. We are not taking taxpayer¡¦money by attending school, we pay our own tuition. No one should be denied a chance of education.
What is the meaning of being an American? The meaning of being an American is to have an opportunity for the pursuit of a better life, a better future. HB1403 students are not illegals, we are people who are fighting for a better future just like you. We
are the people who are studying hard in the library, the girl who is sitting next to you in math class. Therefore, I am not only outraged, but also disappointed at the fact that the Daily Cougar would allow such an article to be published.

Mark your calendars.........

2005-11-12T18:41:00.000-06:00

What's up JIFM,

Tomorrow is the footbal game at UH. Join us after a week of stressful events. Tomorrow Sunday!
Talking about stressful events... please let us know how your editorial to the daily cougar is going. We hope that this got you pumping and got you to do some writing, in any case, something will be published, we'll make sure it happens.

Here is a couple of events going on this coming week. Both i recommend highly. The gatherings at Rice Media center are always really good- there is always a talk to discuss the movie and you get to hear many different perspectives.

The second event hosted by the socialist party i also recommend. You want to get your dose of socialism... (hope not to get arrested/deported after i post this...LOL)

Hope you have a great weekend. I know i will:)

-JRC
*************************************************
1-
The Houston Independent Media Center is pleased to continue theirscreenings of cutting edge films of social and justice issues with filmsabout Migration and Immigrant Rights, at 8:00 p.m. on November 15th, 2005at the Rice Media Center.

Houston Indymedia and the Immigrant CoalitionAgainst Vigilantes and Intolerance, for Respect and Compassion have teamedup in sponsoring an evening of films that will explore the complexdynamics of immigration in a globalized world.

The evening will include 4 documentaries that examine the forces that cause migration, US borderpolicy, the emergence of right wing, anti-migrant militias, and socialmovements for a just immigration and economic systems.

Films to be Screened:UPROOTED: Refugees of the Global EconomyNew World BorderRights on the Line: Vigilantes on the Border Woomera Breakout

When: Tuesday, Nov 15th, 8pm
Where: Rice Cinema Entrance #8 University and StocktonMore details and film descriptions:http://houston.indymedia.org/news
*********************************************************************************************
2-
Militant Labor Forum presents:
Behind the rebellion in France
North African immigrants take to the streets in protest of racism and cop Brutality

Tens of thousands of youth from working class immigrant families in France have joined in protests in 300 cities across France demanding an end to racist and anti-immigrant policies of the French government. Some 6 million citizens of North African descent live in segregated, overcrowded housing in areas the government dubs “sensitive urban zones”. There the unemployment rate is close to double the national rate, while for 21-29 year-olds it’s 30%. This widespread protest movement has thrown the government into a crisis. On November 12, the government invoked the 1955 law used by French imperialism in its war against the Algerian anti-colonial movement.

Join us in a discussion on the origins of this resistance today. Also, we will be showing video clips on the background to the movie “Battle of Algiers”. That film accurately depicted the powerful Algerian independence movement led by workers and farmers fed up with the daily humiliation they faced from the colonizers.
Speaker: Steve Warshell, Socialist Workers Party
Friday, November 18, Program 7:30 p.m.
4800 W. 34th St., Suite C-51A
(34th St. exit off of 290, or TC Jester exit off of 610 North Loop):
$5 for program.
For more information call (713) 869 6550
************************************************************************************************

It takes something like this

2005-11-11T09:59:00.000-06:00

This morning, Yazmin- a high school student with whom i keep in touch submitted this piece to us. I met Yazmin through a high school counselor this semester, she then came to a meeting and we stay in touch since then. She recceived the email about the ad just like you all did. I am happy to see the response of Jose, Lupita, Tatiana, and everybody else who has gotten on top of this issue.

I admire her character. I admire the character that you all bring to JIFM. This is why we do what we do..... Check it out:

Many people regard immigrants as “parasites”, mere subjects who invade the country only to consume and destroy the land as Harry Huang, a student at Bellaire, thinks. As parasites, we are “subservient and labor for minimum wage as janitors and maids.” From this unpleasant outlook, my dreams and aspirations become abridged from reality; this fact leaves a bitter taste of impotence; nevertheless it teaches me the values of education that come from enduring the hardship and makes me put twice as much effort to accomplish goals. Any job is respectable including those of a janitor and maid but we are capable and willing to do so much more than that.

Being an undocumented student has placed many adversities in my path. On many instances, I have thought enthusiastically about the future and of infinite ways to be somebody, only to bring myself upon a barrier too great even for my desires to overcome it. This summer, chosen out of a group of the most diligent students at an institute of math, I was expected to work as an intern for a sponsoring company to gain experience in the field of engineering. I diligently worked on my resume, I was prepared for the job interview, and everything seemed to be in place. There was only one problem: I was an illegal immigrant student. I was turned down when the director learned of my legal status. I had anticipated rejection, but knowing this opportunity is given to a small number of students, I refused to let that stop me from trying, hoping for a small fracture in the barrier. It was impossible.

Preston Wiginton in his “Petition Against HB1403” does not realize that we would be doing him a favor. Mr. Wiginton, WE make America (“Texas for Texas/America for Americans”). It is true that immigrants take jobs that are too hard for Americans, but it is also true that EDUCATED immigrants would be more productive helping boost the economy and standards of the U.S. with a wave of new ideas that the country needs, opening more doors to the world. Does it make sense to deny education to people who are willing to do WHATEVER it takes to acquire it? No, it doesn’t especially not if it means benefits for the country.

I feel deprived of opportunities, the same opportunities that AMERICAN CITIZENS waste and/or deny. Because I am confident of the potential I possess, I could not bear to be thought of as a parasite much less function as one. It is inevitable, then, to persevere and do twice of what it takes to educate myself even if it’s not the liking of an American citizen. In the future, I see myself contributing, not consuming, and creating, not destroying, as an engineer, not a maid.

ITS B A N A N A S !!!!

2005-11-10T23:41:00.000-06:00

ITS B A N A N A S !!!!
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

AFTER A VERY UPSETING DAY WITH THE WHOLE "AD" THING.

THE DAY ENDED IN A GOOD NOTE.

THE BLACK EYE PEAS WERE MY FAVORITE!!!!

GWEN SANG A SONG THAT SHE HELPED COMPOSE WITH ANDRE 3000 FOR ROSA PARKS... SOUNDS GREAT!!!

Check out the daily cougar today! Something has to be done! WAKE UP!

2005-11-10T09:05:00.000-06:00

Hi all,

I am working, but Melissa just called me and she has told me that there is an add on the daily cougar today, today: November 10th,which is advertsing against HB 1403. Check it out ... It is paid by some politician, but look into it if you are on campus and have a little time to get to a computer... comment here please, i want to know more about this.

If this is something that is indeed advertsing against H.B. 1403 then it is definitely something that we want to look more into and definitely write a rebuttal to the editorial. How can a university newspaper that has over 300 House Bill 1403 students be bought into this education issue?! I am outraged, I don't know about you, but you know who you are. You are an HB 1403 student just like me and if you want to sleep through this issue than go ahead, but more sooner than later you will wake up and realize how badly something needs to be done.

Anybody wants to take initiative? We can't afford to sleep on these issues anymore.

WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-JRC

XO 107.9 --

2005-11-09T22:45:00.000-06:00

XO 107.9 --
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

O-SEA-NO..........

THESE NIGHT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST EVENTS WITH FEEDBACK FROM THE HOUSTON COMMMUNITY. WE WERE EXTATIC TO HAVE HAD SO MANY CALLERS WANTING MORE INFORMATION.

NOT TO MENTION THE HOST WAS REALLY MOTIVATED TO HAVE THE TOPIC ON THE AIR.

DONAJIH TOOK THE PICTURE!!!

Steps for Success UHD

2005-11-09T20:27:00.000-06:00

Steps for Success UHD4
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

Parents and students gathered around our display table to receive more information on H.B. 1403 and the DREAM Act. Jose did a very good job about explaining the paperwork an HB 1403 students has turn in. Over 300 students participated in this event.

This event was sponsord by Ford Motor Company and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund(unfortunately the fund does not give scholarships to undocumented students, eventhough they deserve it, just a side-note).

San Jacinto College - Immigration Awareness Day

2005-11-09T20:06:00.000-06:00

SAN JACINTO5
Originally uploaded by donajih_robles.

Julita, Rick Noriega (District Rep. 145) and Donajih were guest speakers at the event. We had a great time, we talked to lots of parents and encouraged them to help their kids continue their education.

How Julita escaped the hands of HPD

2005-11-09T12:38:00.000-06:00

Hi Jóvenes....

This a story based on pure facts... no fiction- there are witnesses to back me up.

Last night Donajih, Jesus her husband and i hung out in this downtown spot, we then ended the night with joy and all ready to go home. We then each took off in our respective vehicles.

As i was driving off on Elgin and Travis a taxi cab hit me out of nowhere. This due to the lights not working and no traffic control working whatsoever at the time. Not to mention the dude was going at 1000 per hour.

I was okay, but i was then really not worried about having a stiffed neck or a broken whatever. The whole time i was worried about not getting HPD involved and BS'ing my way out of it with the taxi cab driver.

To my misfortune, one officer on bike and one security on bike came right behind us. After a whole hour of waiting for HPD officers to come and do the report, the taxi cab driver and i decided to arrange it on the side.

To my fortune i escaped the hands of HPD bureaucracy. Imagine this scenario: girl with no driver's license+ who is also undocumented= Huge ticket or subject to removal of vehicle. I got away and i still don't know how.

In the waiting, I called Donajih and Jesus who were just around the corner- they showed up to help me out through this. I thank my friends for this gesture. We got some footage of this accident to present to our potential documentary. No, i didn't get arrested although Jesus was asking the police officer to do it in order to make our footage more interesting... LOL. We also talked to Officer Gabriel who was so supportive when i explained him my situation. He gave us more information on who we can get in touch when trying to pull more people for the march coming up.

The point of this ordeal was: Until when should we be more worried about receiving that huge ticket or having our cars taken away because we don't have a driver's license rather than worrying abou our own well-being?

This is just not right.

At the end though, i was just thankful to be okay. The accident could have been so much worse, believe me!

Flickr

2005-11-07T00:06:00.000-06:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

"me" is Donajih, jejejeje

2005-11-06T23:30:00.000-06:00

I didn't mention who "me" was in the previous post.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I relaxed, mas que nada, sola.

I ask that if anyone wants to help with the HISD board meeting research to not hesitate in calling me or e-mailing me at drodriguez8@uh.edu. Hearing will be Dec 8th.

Also just a reminder that every officer has to locate a central place for the JIFM-UH Parent Committee 1st Meeting. Is anyone else taking the lead on this?
Becuse, I feel the topic was really not discussed Or should assume Mrs. Silva is going to take the lead?

____________________________________________________

Anyway I went to the "PULGA" today sunday, It had been awhile since I went to the on off of 59S. I was amazed of how many "raza" I saw. Maybe cause I wasen't expecting to see too many people. My sister and I walked around, got tiered, ate fresh cut fruit and heard DURANGENSE music at the "family" club they had inside, they had a live band, when i say "family" i mean it, little kids were dancing on the pista, looked really cute. This was a reallity check, about he existance of crowded "PULGAS"

Maybe we could go to the pulgas and pass out JIFM-UH information to the people.

Okay sleepy time for me,

Donajih:)

Homecoming Week @UH

2005-11-06T23:08:00.000-06:00

The week of November 7 – 13, 2005 is University of Houston Homecoming Week and a variety of exciting events are planned for your enjoyment. All events are FREE!!

The following is the list of the Homecoming 2005 activities:

Monday, November 7, 2005
Homecoming Kick-Off - University Center Arbor 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 pm.Cougars Full Throttle…Let the good times ROAR!! A great way to start the homecoming week and find out who is on this year’s Homecoming Court. Gulf Coast Cougar Reception – University Center Arbor5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Join me to find out if I made the COURT!!! Im nervous... hay lo que Dios quiera:)

Tuesday, November 8, 2005
HC Celebration – UC Satellite11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Music and Promos! A Cougar Showcase – Hofheinz PavilionThis inaugural event will showcase the traditional Strut Your Stuff program, a Football pep rally,the UH Marching Band and Spirit Squads, and an introduction/preview of the 2005-2006 Cougar men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Wednesday, November 9, 2005 WEAR RED DAY!
Spirit Day and Pep Rally – Cullen Family Plaza11:30 – 1:00 p.m. Pep Rally at 12 Noon! Join other students, faculty and staff for the annual spirit day activities.Free hot dogs! 30 minutes of Pep, Power and Cougar Spirit with Coach Briles, the UH Pep Band and Spirit Squads. The tradition of rubbing the Cougar Paw revealed! Poetry Slam – World Affairs Lounge, University Center Underground7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 10, 2005
Residential Life and Housing (RL&H)Beauty Bowl – RL&H Soccer FieldBlock Party - RL&H Basketball Courts5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Friday, November 11, 2005
Homecoming Concert – Houston Room, University Center7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 13, 2005 Make sure you get your FREE tickets!!!
HOMECOMING (HC) GAME DAY – Robertson Stadium
2:00 p.m. – Band – Robertson Stage
2:30 p.m. – Golf Cart Parade
3:30 p.m. – HC Awards and Introduction of Homecoming Court
4:00 p.m. – Kick – off
Half-time – Announcement of HC King and Queen

End of week thoughts

2005-11-04T16:20:00.000-06:00

Hi Jóvenes,

Greetings from our UH library. These tests are becoming a burden on Friday nights.

I wanted to take some time and thank all those who participated in this week's events. There were quite a lot, but we have been blessed with the committment of several Jóvens who never fail to show up.

We had a very wet Monday at the Halloween Fest and from then we moved Tuesday at San Jacinto college where we presented with Representative Rick Noriega- that was a good night! Thursday we had an officer's meeting and came to more concrete terms as far as when the march will be taking place- we are looking at February 18th, so mark it down. Then some of us headed to Eastwood Academy after the meeting- which also went well, we got so much more footage for our documentary.
It was incredible-- well, let me rephrase that... i was no longer surprised to hear how many college reps that come to present to these high schools of predominantly Latino students where many parents who also come and do not speak English.... and we still have these reps who many times speak Spanish and choose not to do so. This baffles me! The issue that no longer surprises me however is how many of these college reps do not know anything about House Bill 1403 or the DREAM Act.

What kind of information would they give to our students and parents who need to know how to enroll in college if many of them are in our situation? I have to mention however, that some reps did know their stuff, so props to them.

After the Eastwood presentation some of us hung out and then headed to the radio station. Thanks to Donajih, Tatiana, Genesis, and Sandra who were there to speak so amazingly and eloquently to the callers who had questions. I am sure that you guys heard us, so tell us what you thought of it. Vampiro was so great in giving us that space to talk and spread this information that so badly needs to be heard. Guys, the phones were going crazy, we have received so many calls throughout the day of people who wish to be involved, had comments, or more personal case questions. We are no experts on this, but i feel that we have done a great job.

It has been a very active and long week. We got through it, but wouldn't you love to be a part of it? It really is empowering to see the eyes of a parent or high school student who suddenly finds out that he or she can in fact go to college. Even better when they know that there is a light which gives us hope that our studies won't in fact be taken for granted.

I am out for this weekend. Post comments guys, this is your forum so to speak to express your concerns or suggestions, whatever is on your mind.
I leave however thanking once again all those who participated, posted something on their blogs about us, emailed, txt messaged, or called us to find out what was going on, or to give us some moral support.

Remember that the last thing that dies is hope!

-JRC

Presentation at High School

2005-11-03T21:05:00.000-06:00

MILBY
Originally uploaded by uhjifm.

This was the presentation at Milby High School during the College Career Night.

Here we have Melissa talking to an Army recruiter who was interested in receiving more information regarding the DREAM Act and House Bill 1403.

More pictures will be uploaded with time.

Wait for them.

Radio Station Tomorrow

2005-11-03T00:57:00.000-06:00

Hey JIFM,

We will be on the radio station XO 107.9 FM tomorrow November 3rd at 11PM.

DJ Vampiro called a little while ago to confirm. We hope that you guys can tune in if you can't accompany us physically.

We have to get there a little earlier than 11 PM.

That is it for tonite.

More questions, concerns... let us know please!

A Nostalgic Post

2005-11-03T00:10:00.000-06:00

Hi Jóvenes,

I don't know who reads this. Few people leave comments. Sometimes i feel that i, along with few others are the only ones that read this blog- which is cool. I wish though that more of you were willing to share more, but i suppose i will continue until i get somebody tired of saying the same stuff and then he or she will decide to write. I meant that in a funny way btw.

I just want to acknoweledge DIA DE LOS MUERTOS/THE DAY OF THE DEAD. I know that not everyone who reads this is Mexican or of Mexican descent, and i won't go into the whole explanation of the meaning of this day. This day may have more meaning for some rather than others. I just wanted to say that.

Today though, i remember mi abuelo. Today I remember my brothers and sisters and today is eight years from not seeing them. It is eight years that i don't see the place where i was born and eight years of being the aunt from the picture and the voice on the phone.
Unfortunately, a lot of us have been prived from a lot of things because of our situation. The heart is always with them however.

Who do you remember today? What do you remember today?

I was going to post an article that came on the Washington Post, but i then felt that maybe we wanted to chill from that-at least from tonite.

Some business has got to be posted however:

***Eastwood High School Presentation tomorrow Thursday at 6:30 PM.
Some of us are heading there after the meeting at 4:00 PM which is taking place
in the UC Claudette Room. Remember that this is a meeting open to anybody who wants to bring anything to the group's attention. Or even if you just want to drop by and say what's up.If you need direction or any more questions on how to get there, please call us or emai us: jifmuhcentral@gmail.com**************
-JRC

False Alarm!

2005-11-02T01:57:00.000-06:00

Hola Jóvenes,

My apologies for the contrasting text messages. I sent to all whom i have on my cell.

Last night, or one of the past sleepless nights i emailed the DJ from XO Radio. Vampiro- that is his name; he touches on very different issues everynight at 11 PM.

I then wrote him telling him about our organization, the dilemma, and the laws that are currently pending. I then urged him to press on this issue. I wasn't expecting him to respond so soon, but as Donajih, Rafa, and I were walking to the car from the San Jacinto presentation (which was amazing by the way, but that will be another post)- the dude calls and he is very interested in having us on air.

We then drove to the station. We thought we were going to be on tonite, but we talked, we told him about what is the deal and we talked some more.

The deal is that we will be on. It will either be this Thursday, or this coming Monday. Reason being- that gives him time to promote the issue beforehand and that way more listeners will be aware. Yes, it will be late at night, late meaning 11 PM. It will be one whole hour to talk to people who need this information.

San Jacinto event----- Great!!!!!!! Rick Noriega showed up. The guy delivered. I had never seen him give platicas, but he gave a good one considering our audience. Although i think he would have gotten through better had he spoken Spanish to that part of the congregation, but that is just my opinion.

Donajih and Rafa delivered amazingly as always.

Great speech Donají! Thanks for the camera work Rafa.

I am out of commission for tonite.

--JRC:-)

Morning article

2005-11-01T07:58:00.000-06:00

Good morning JIFM,

An article to get us started this morning. Don't forget, today we have the event at San Jacinto North Campus, we emailed you about this.
Anyhow, 5800 Uvalde. Donajih along with other members will be there this morning starting at 11:30 AM.
The second part starts at 5:30 PM, same place.

Great day!

Juli

ID: DREAM Act proposes to allow undocumented residents to pay in-state tuition The Arbiter (Idaho State University), October 31, 2005
By Micah McLaughlin

Boise State students and organizations support reintroduction of the DREAM Act to the Idaho Senate. The DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act is a piece of bipartisan federal legislation that would allow undocumented residents who have lived in the United States since before they were 16 years old to pay in-state tuition at universities and colleges. As of now, undocumented students pay approximately $11,000 a year to attend BSU. This is often more than the income of undocumented residents.

Under the DREAM Act, undocumented resident minors would be allowed a six-year residency period in which they must complete one of the following: a two-year degree, two years toward a degree, two years of military service or a 910-hour period of community service.

Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo are cosponsoring the legislation along with others such as Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch. ICAN (Idaho Community Action Network), OELA (Organización de Estudiantes Latino-Americanos) and the IPSA (Idaho Progressive Student Aliance) all support the DREAM Act.

ICAN has taken a leading role in promoting it through the Student Speaker’s Tour. The IPSA, on the other hand, has taken a mainly supportive role by aiding ICAN and OELA; however it can, according to Megan Egbert, IPSA vice president. The Student Speaker’s Tour is a program through which students affected by issues of undocumented residency address communities in order to educate them on those issues. The goal is to bring awareness to and gain support from communities. According to Fernando Mejia, ICAN’s secretary, issues of undocumented residency affect approximately 65,000 students a year. The DREAM Act will reduce the difficulty many students have in getting higher education, Majia said.

“Every single human being should have an opportunity for a better education,” said Mejia.
The DREAM Act will also help undocumented students by giving them a viable path toward citizenship, according to Mejia. He also pointed out that communities benefit from having undocumented residents educated. “[The] only way to improve the community is to educate,” said Mejia.

The DREAM Act was originally introduced in July 2003. In its current form it would repeal section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Section 505 effectively discourages states from aiding students by providing in-state tuition rates. Students must retain good standing under its conditions to qualify. That is, those students that have committed crimes or have been deemed a security risk are ineligible. The DREAM Act focuses on education and pairs well with more widely known McCain-Kennedy cosponsored legislation regarding comprehensive immigration reform, according to Mejia. Mejia said nine million people immigrate to the United States and only 10,000 visas are issued.

“We don’t want to forget the big picture,” said Mejia.

“We are all human beings.”

******************************

Talking to Florida

2005-10-31T17:13:00.000-06:00

Hey Jóvenes!

I am on my break, so i'll make it short.

I just spoke to Samuel from Florida. Samuel is a missionary that works for a law office, the office of Jorge Rivero. Jorge Rivero is this huge immigration lawyer that is on Univision every other week talking about immigration issues. He avidly supports the DREAM Act; that is why i am writing this, we can hook up with them. They are advocating quite strongly about the DREAM Act on the East Coast.

Samuel and others are going to different churches, radio, and television shows. They are collecting signatures and taking them to the House in order to reintroduce the DREAM Act with more strength.

We can be a part of this.

Visit: www.dreamact.us There is a PDF file that contains the forms. We will talk more about this in the coming meeting, but for now you can take some initiative. Go ahead print the forms and do some happy and diligent petition signing. We can get as many as we can and send them at the end of December. That is the deadline.

December guys.

Back to work.

Oh yeah... today we have the Halloween Fest at the Ripley House, it won't be an all day thing so you can do some trick or treat afterwards.

Later

Rafa and Genesis on TV today!!!!!!

2005-10-28T10:14:00.000-05:00

I don't know when this will be broadcasted and if it will be broadcasted live today, but Rafa and Genesis will be in in the TV Show: TV INFORMA.
I think that this is Azteca America, but i am not sure.

Rafa--- if y0u get to read this before you head to the tv station comment us on the details, i know you are taping it but maybe somebody else can tape it and we can show it to everybody.

They will be talking about the organization, the problems we face and also share their personal stories.

Good luck to you guys, we wish you the best and we thank you for representing us.

Best wishes.

Post- meeting reactions-

2005-10-27T23:20:00.000-05:00

Hi all,

Greeting from our UH library.

We just had our meeting, but i had to head to the library to do some class work.

It was a very productive meeting. We have had a full calendar this month- we have been getting through it very effectively i believe.

We got some great stuff on camera today, thanks to ALL who shared their stories and to those behind the camera too:) I feel that we got to know more about each other through this deal.

Welcome Sana and Ana, we hope to have hooked you to this cause, hope to see you this Tuesday at Saint Jack.

Thanks to Genesis Mom. Thank you Genesis for bringing your mom! I feel that some great support is coming from our parents. Guys, tell your parents about joining, we need more forces. We will be scheduling a meeting with the parents pretty soon, more details to be provided later.

I have got to go now, but i couldn't go without acknowledging our team leaders tremendous leadership and committment. Donajih, Melissa, José, Rafa, and Albert. You guys have been doing an amazing job. Thanks!

Nite!

Juli

One of those articles

2005-10-26T16:24:00.000-05:00

Hi JIFM~

This is one of those articles that make me be a bit more thankful.

This came through today, i hope that you get a chance to read it and give your thoughts on this.
I couldn't imagine coming up with 9,000 + dollars a year, but the way things are going here.... who knows.

The battle continues.

Enjoy.

************************************
MA: Support Lags on Immigrant Tuition Bill; Governor's Veto Seen Likely to StandThe Boston Globe, October 26, 2005
By Maria Cramer

State Representative Marie St. Fleur, the author of legislation that would charge some immigrant students lower in-state college tuition rates, said yesterday she is unsure there are enough votes in the House to override a likely gubernatorial veto.
Standing in front of hundreds of immigrant students and supporters of the bill inside the State House, St. Fleur said the bill faced strong opposition, disappointing those who hoped for an immediate vote.

"I'm a pragmatic person," she said later. "I can go up there and pretend and do the rah-rah, or I can tell people that there is still work to be done."

Immigrants without permanent residency status or US citizenship must pay a higher out-of-state tuition. The bill would grant lower tuition rates at state colleges and universities to immigrants who have lived in Massachusetts for at least three years and graduated from a high school in the state.

For instance, at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an undergraduate pays an in-state tuition of $9,278 a year and an out-of-state tuition of $18,397.
The legislation, which would benefit about 400 students a year, was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. But Governor Mitt Romney has vowed a veto if it passes.

After the rally, St. Fleur, a Dorchester Democrat, said in an interview that she still believes supporters of the bill can drum up the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.
"I think we still have to work at it in all honesty," she said. "I don't try to give people false information. We don't have the level of comfort that we would like to have."
Romney vetoed similar legislation in June 2004 after the Legislature approved it. Fearing political fallout, legislators chose not to override the veto in August 2004, according to some lawmakers and advocates. Romney has objected to the legislation, saying it would give benefits to people who are in the country illegally.
This year, advocates of the legislation want to be sure they have enough votes to override any potential veto before the bill arrives on Romney's desk, St. Fleur said. They need the support of at least 107 legislators, she said.
"While we may be able to get this through the House, the objective has got to be a veto-proof majority," she said. "To get it through the House and not have the veto-proof margin is not a win."
Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, said he was not discouraged by St. Fleur's comments.
"It is reality," he said. "We need to educate the Legislature on this. As an organization and a community, we've worked across the state to change public opinion. Now it's a game of inside baseball."
Maria Cramer can be reached at mcramer@globe.com.********************************

What's up JIFM!

2005-10-24T23:36:00.000-05:00

Hi all, i hope that you are having a great beginning of the week. We had a great event this Saturday at the Senior Expo at HCC. Maybe we can post pictures later on when we have them.
We also gathered lots more stories on camera for our future project. Parents, students, and college administrators participated in this project.... Mmmmm.... we should name our project, i hadn't thought about that until right now.
If you would like to share more stories on camera this Thursday before or after the meeting please stick around. This is a great project that we have embarked upon. Thanks to the sociology department and Lilian for letting us borrow this camera, they have been great to us.

We wanted to take this time to remind you once again of the meeting going on this:

Thursday Oct 27th at 6:30 PM in the Claudette Room UC-Satellite. If yu are a high school student, want to attend and need more direction, email Juli: julirincon@gmail.com
If you have time to spare in between classes drop by campus activities in the UC underground and put some time in our carrel space, we need them!
BRING your parents, we are forming a parent group in order to organize more events pretty soon, they are great allies in this fight! We will be having the meeting in Spanish or whatever else we have to do in order to accomodate our parent's needs.

We hope to count with your presence, there is a lot to do really, A LOT! We need more ideas and hands to really get JIFM to explode and cause deeper change.

Don't forget to check our site, we are up finally, a bit under construction, but with time it should be more convenient to navigate: www.uhjifm.org

We have a town and Hall Meetig at Cesar Chavez High School this Wednesday at 6PM. The location of this school is in Old Galveston RD. IF you want more directions in how to get there please give me (Juli) a call or any of the other officers. You have our numbers, if not email us at jifmuhcentral@gmail.com

Guys, you must be tired of me repeating the same stuff, but it is really up to us to cause change and we really need MORE HANDS!

I know that we are are all swamped with midterms and whatnot, but lets give a little time to JIFM, it deserves it.

We also will be having our t-shirts out pretty soon, they will be really cool, wait for them.

There is a lot more, but i will stop for tonite. Please feel free to post comments, even if you just want to say hi or that you are having a bad or great day.

In any case, have a great day! Good luck with exams and papers too:) I know i need it.

One more article... we should do our own newsletter!

2005-10-19T21:41:00.000-05:00

Check it out, sent by NICL: www.nilc.org

I like the idea of creating a tour. (See bolded paragraph) Maybe we should do this, wouldn't it be fun? We could become famous.

**************************
WI: Undocumented students deserve American dream, too
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 18, 2005
By Rachel Ida Buff

They have dreams. In the venerable tradition of American democracy, they aspire to a better life: to education, meaningful employment, economic security for themselves and their families. But for these high school students, access to this dream is blocked.

They are undocumented residents of Wisconsin, many of whom have lived here since they were small children. They call the state home. They speak English as their mother tongue. Many of them have excelled in high school.

They now wish to continue their education, to contribute to their communities. But federal law considers them illegal immigrants and makes them ineligible for all forms of financial aid, including loans. State law stipulates that they must pay out-of-state tuition at Wisconsin public universities.

This week, the DREAM-in-Motion Tour will appear at area high schools and colleges. The tour is named after the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, bipartisan legislation that had been introduced in Congress and that awaits reintroduction by its sponsors, Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.).

The DREAM Act would eliminate a provision of federal immigration law that discourages states from providing in-state tuition to immigrant students and would allow undocumented high school graduates to apply for legal status. Both steps move the students closer to being eligible for financial aid.

Made up of students from southeastern Wisconsin high schools and colleges, the tour features information about the issue of undocumented immigrant students' access to higher education, along with a short skit, "Illegal Minds," written by group member Miguel Lopez.
In "Illegal Minds," the main character, Pancho, "is millions of immigrants." As a baby, he and his parents elude pursuit by a thirsty Death and clamoring Minutemen at the U.S.-Mexico border and arrive in Milwaukee.

His father, Jose, works in a restaurant 12 hours a day, six days a week, while his mother, Maria, works as a housekeeper. Their hard work pays off; Pancho graduates from high school on the honor roll.

This is the immigrant dream. It is something we honor and respect in this country, particularly in Milwaukee, with our proud ethnic festivals and tradition of immigrant community building.
But for Pancho and his family, things go terribly awry. He is denied financial aid and in-state tuition at a university that he is more than ready to attend and is denied entry and college aid by the Marines, who nonetheless demand that he register for Select Service in an emergency draft to defend "his country."

Frustrated in his attempts to escape poverty, he winds up joining a gang and ultimately goes to jail for "being a menace to society." At his trial, he tells the judge: "I always tried to become the best I could be, but thanks to your laws, you took away all my dreams. Your laws became the nightmares in my dreams. . . . I'm only one of millions. I ask you to help us advance because we are trying. We only ask for equality of opportunity to overcome poverty."

How many Panchos are there in Milwaukee, in Wisconsin, in the United States? It is very difficult to count undocumented people, people whose jobs and families depend on their anonymity.

What is certain is that as long as there have been low-paying jobs in this country, there have been undocumented workers who toil for low wages and, very often, in horrific conditions in agricultural and factory work.

Pressured by employers of undocumented labor, federal laws have long made accommodations to allow these workers into the country. Our economy depends on them, and studies show that they put more into the economy, in productive labor and taxes, than they ever take out in social services or education.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in Plyler vs. Doe (1982), has ruled that states cannot deny undocumented children a K-12 education. Writing for the majority, Justice William Brennan asserted the right of these children to equal protection under the Constitution, rejecting the claim that their immigration status rendered them outside the constitutional definition of personhood.

If these undocumented students are legally people, entitled to public education in Wisconsin, there must also be provision for their continued personhood after graduation. If honors students like Pancho, who is fictional but also representative, must turn to menial labor or crime to support themselves and their families, what does that say about the American dream?

This week in southeastern Wisconsin, high school and college students will stake their claim in the American dream. All citizens and residents should support them by supporting the DREAM Act and by asking our public universities to provide education to all Wisconsin students on an equal basis.

Rachel Ida Buff is associate professor of history and coordinator of ethnic studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a member of Voces de la Frontera, a southeastern Wisconsin immigrant rights group.****************************

JIFM Calendar

2005-10-18T12:34:00.000-05:00

Thurs. Oct. 20 JIFM-UH Officer mtg. Claudette Rm UC Satellite 5:30 -7:30.
Sat. Oct 22: Senior Expo @ HCC 8-1:00PM
Wed. Oct 26th: Town Hall Meeting: Cesar Chavez 6- 8 pm *
Sat. Oct 29th Steps for Success: UH-D Time: TBA *
Fri and Sat. Oct 28-29: Conference in San Antonio regarding gender and immigration with UNAM. *
Tue. Nov 1 Higher Education for Immigrant Studens San Jacinto College North campus11:30-1p*
Thurs. Nov 3rd: Eastwood Academy Presentation at 6: 30 pm *
Thurs.Nov 10 PENDING! JIFM might relocate meeting location to Raul Izaguirre School for Success for Women Confronting Globalization: Cultural Resitance, Fair Trade and Human Rights Fall Tour 2005 sponsored by Mexico Solidarity Network (MSN) *

Note: All events require volunteers. Please sign up to help for atleast one event .
Thank you.

Oct. 6 Meeting Minutes

2005-10-11T22:51:00.000-05:00

Jovenes Inmigrantes por un Futuro Mejor
Young immigrants for a Better Future

Meeting Minutes - - - Oct. 6, 2005

Thank you to those who attended---- Tatiana Medina, Marilyn Espitia, Janet Gonzalez, Lilian Chavez, Raul Amador, Gianna Bihger, Jose Correa, Rafael Gutierrez, Donajih Robles, Julita Rincon, Melissa Gutierrez

Events -----

High School Presentations have begun. Anyone interested in helping out, let us know.
We will be setting up a table with information and talking to students and parents about JIFM and the DREAM Act.

DATES:
Oct. 10--- Chavez High School @ 6:00-8:30PM
Oct. 11--- Jones High School @ 2:00-?
Law Enforcement @ 8:00AM - ?
Oct. 12--- Milby High School @ 6:30PM

Chicano/Chicana Latino Leadership and Unity Conference
When: Oct. 15, 2005 8-6PM (THIS SATURDAY!!!!)
Where: UH-Clear Lake
**** Don’t forget to register!!! It is only $10!!!!****

Senior Expo- We will have a table set up with info about JIFM and the DREAM Act. We need volunteers. Sign up to volunteer.
When: Sat. Oct. 22
Where: Houston Community College- Central (the one Downtown)
1300 Holman
Time: 8:00 to 1:00PM

******OUR NEXT MEETING IS THIS THURSDAY, OCT. 13
SAME PLACE ( UC SATELLITE ) SAME TIME ( 6:30PM) *****

Check out our website: www.uhjifm.org it should be up later this week.