Immigrant Rights Archive - For Civil Minds

Archive for the ‘Immigrant Rights’ Category

Thank you.

Posted on May 3rd, 2013 by ERC

Rabbi Bruce Kahn presents an award to retiring Board President James G. Macdonell. Both men were founding members of the ERC.

Thank you for making the Equal Rights Center’s 30^th anniversary such a success. Thank you for being a valued partner. Thank you for being an advocate. Thank you for any role that you play in the daunting task of ending discrimination and advancing equality for ALL.

It is difficult to believe that a small local fair housing organization, founded by five inter-faith religious leaders from diverse backgrounds working out of a borrowed office, would become one of the most dynamic, multifaceted national civil rights organizations in the country.

Today, the ERC promotes equal opportunity in housing, employment, and access to public accommodations and government services while being an invaluable resource for many individuals, advocacy groups, government agencies, housing developers, architectural firms, restaurateurs, and other businesses and corporations. Reflecting the growth from the ERC’s founding,, our 30^th anniversary brought together individuals and entities from all facets of the ERC’s current efforts.

The ERC’s success and our work are impossible without our members and our partners. You serve as the eyes and ears of the ERC, letting us know when and where discrimination is happening and being part of the proactive efforts to promote equal opportunity. With your help, the ERC now has 6,000 members in all 50 states, more than 300 civil rights testers, and programs dedicated to making a national impact advancing fair housing, fair employment, disability rights, immigrant rights, and LGBT rights. (more…)

Categorized as Advocacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Partnerships and Training, Disability Rights, Fair Employment, Fair Housing, Government Services, Immigrant Rights, LBGT Rights, Source of Income, Testing
Tags: 30th Anniversary, equal rights center

Immigration Reform—A Long Overdue Change

Posted on February 6th, 2013 by ERC

Last week, the seemingly intractable problems in our immigration system finally received significant political attention. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, unofficially titled the “gang of 8”, announced a framework for immigration reform. A day later, President Obama endorsed the Senators’ efforts and unveiled his administration’s similar framework for immigration reform. The broader framework of both plans reveals the same goals: (1) developing a path to citizenship for the millions of undocumented individuals currently living in the U.S. and contributing to the economy and culture; (2) improving the process to enter the country legally for qualified people seeking work; (3) strengthening the employment verification process and cracking down on employers who hire undocumented workers; and (4) tightening border security.

The details of these proposed immigration reforms need to be ironed out, and any final legislation will undoubtedly not fully appease either side of the immigration debate. However, this starting point for discussion, and an apparent commitment from leaders in both political parties, is a positive first step towards providing stability for the 11 million individuals, and millions more family members directly impacted by the issue—and will also bring us a step closer toward equal opportunity for all. (more…)

Categorized as Advocacy, Immigrant Rights
Tags: immigration, President Obama, reform, US Senate

Cashing Out

Posted on January 17th, 2013 by ERC

by Grant Beck, Communications and Outreach Assistant

We all eventually come to terms with the reality that living in America is expensive. Little did we realize how expensive it is to keep people from living in America.

A recent report released by the non-partisan Washington-based Migration Policy Institute reveals that in 2012 the U.S. government spent more money on federal immigration enforcement than any other federal enforcement activities. And the numbers aren’t even close. According to the report, the federal government spent $18 billion on immigration enforcement in 2012, 24 percent more that than it spent for the FBI, the DEA, the Secret Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the ATF combined.

The report provides an exhaustive insight into America’s immigration enforcement efforts. Since 1986, when Immigration Reform and Control Act’s passage marked the beginning of the modern immigration enforcement era, the U.S. has spent $186.8 billion ($219.1 billion adjusted to 2012 dollars) on immigration enforcement. In addition to the mind-baffling financial statistics surrounding immigration enforcement, the human toll of this enforcement is staggering. Since 1990, an estimated 4 million “noncitizens” have been removed from American soil. And less than half of those are “removed following hearings and pursuant to formal removal orders from immigration judges.” In 2011, the average daily population of noncitizens detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was 33,330. (more…)

Categorized as Advocacy, Immigrant Rights
Tags: immigration, immigration enforcement, Migration Policy Institute, President Obama

Immigrant Rights Movement: A take on the fight for citizenship in America

Posted on January 11th, 2013 by ERC

By Leah Danville, ERC Communications Intern

As an African-American, with half of my family emigrating from Jamaica, my family has endured the struggle for civil rights all while trying to build a life in American society. Despite full citizenship, both sides of my family have struggled to be treated as “Americans.” This leads me to ask the question; what defines an American?

More than 60 years ago, African-Americans rallied in this nation’s largest civil rights movement to be accepted as having equal rights as Americans. To this day, the struggle for equal rights continues, for people of color generally and even more so for people who want to become Americans but do not yet have citizenship.

In 2010, an estimated 11.2 million undocumented immigrants resided in the United States, accounting for approximately four percent of the nation’s population and five percent of its workforce. Yet many immigrants, regardless of legal status, face discrimination at every turn. Earlier this year, the state of Arizona began enforcing its controversial “show me your papers” law, which allows law enforcement officials to check the immigration status of individuals detained for misdemeanors or crimes. In Florida, Gov. Rick Scott an effort purportedly intended to purge non-citizens from voter rolls targeted minority voters and led to American citizens being disenfranchised. This type of racial profiling and bigotry threatens the diverse framework that helped build America. (more…)

Categorized as Advocacy, Immigrant Rights
Tags: ERC, immigrant rights, immigration

We Speak Your Language

Posted on December 12th, 2012 by ERC

Teanaste’lle’n, amarenya techelallueh?

If someone asked you this question, would you know how to answer? Would you even know what language the person was speaking?

According to the Migration Policy Institute, in 2010, more than 25 million people in the U.S. had limited English proficiency (LEP), accounting for nine percent of the nation’s population. LEP individuals are among the most targeted for discrimination, in part because of their limited access to information and resources, and general biases against immigrants.

Federal agencies, and organizations that receive federal funds, are required to ensure that LEP and non-English proficient (NEP) individuals have meaningful access to their services, in order to comply with Title VI of the U.S. Civil Rights Act. Most federal agencies have a “LEP plan,” detailing their efforts to provide language access, as well as basic materials on their website in multiple languages.

Language access is a critical component of fair housing. No one should be denied housing, required to pay more rent, or otherwise be subject to different terms because they have limited English language skills. Where feasible, housing providers and managers should have some way to communicate in the primary language of their tenants. Translators and language line services are available to provide this service, and should be arranged at the cost of the housing provider. (more…)

Categorized as Advocacy, Immigrant Rights
Tags: equal rights center, ERC, immigrant rights, LEP, Limited English Proficiency

A DREAM Act Deferred

Posted on October 22nd, 2012 by ERC

By Tara Schmitt, ERC Civil Rights Intern

Millions of individuals watched the first two presidential debates in hopes to become more informed about each candidate’s stance on many topics. Yet, one topic that is critically important has been sidestepped so far in the debates: immigration reform. For thousands of young people directly impacted by this issue, the DREAM Act, which was one vote shy of passage in Congress this year, provided a glimmer of hope. The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) is a bipartisan bill that would provide an opportunity for people without documentation who were brought to the United States as children by their parents to gain citizenship. Candidates for the DREAM Act would need to complete at least two years in either the military or an institution of higher learning, and prove residency in order to qualify.

I have seen first-hand the positive impact that the DREAM Act could make. During my work with the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, a labor union for migrant farmworkers in North Carolina, I visited numerous labor camps and spoke with both documented and undocumented workers. During one visit, I arrived to find the camp deserted; the workers had gone to the fields to get an early start on planting. The only people remaining were a young woman and her infant son. “Maria” was busy trying to cook a meal for all 20 of the workers, as well as comfort her crying baby. After chatting with her I discovered that she was my age, 21, and had spent almost all of her childhood in the United States.

Excelling in math in high school, Maria was accepted into a university and offered a scholarship. When the university learned about her legal status, however, the scholarship was revoked. She was deemed ineligible to receive any other type of financial aid and unable to afford tuition out of pocket. Her college dreams ended. (more…)

Categorized as Advocacy, Civil Rights, Immigrant Rights
Tags: DREAM Act, election 2012, immigration, labor

Come meet the ERC at the 3rd Annual D.C. Africa Festival!

Posted on September 11th, 2012 by ERC

Interested in learning more about the ERC or in speaking to ERC staff one-on –one? On Saturday September 29th, the ERC will be participating in the 3rd Annual D.C. Africa Festival from 12pm to 7 pm. Located at the Benjamin Banneker Recreation Center (2500 Georgia Ave NW, Washington DC), the ERC will join other non-profit organizations, and DC government agencies to provide information and resources to the community.

Hosted by the D.C. Mayor’s Office on African Affairs, the festival celebrates African culture while emphasizing the contributions and vibrant presence of the African community in the District of Columbia. The theme of this year’s festival is “Building One City – Showcasing Africa’s History, Heritage and Interconnectedness.” The ERC will be part of the festival resource corner, which is intended to facilitate access to information, services, resources and opportunities between the African community and government and community resource providers.

In addition to the resource corner, the festival will feature many activities, including: an eclectic lineup of modern and folkloric musical performances influenced by African musical traditions; an Africa-inspired Wellness Pavilion promoting healthy living and fitness, educational and fun activities in the Children’s Village and the African Culture Hut, a Fashion Presentation featuring creativity and designs from across Africa. There will also be arts and crafts vendors, as well as food vendors offering the best African cuisine DC has to offer.

We hope to see ERC members and meet new community members at the festival! For directions and more information, visit the 3rd Annual D.C. Africa Festival website.

If you are interested in having the ERC participate in your community event, contact Grant Beck at the Equal Rights Center.

Categorized as Advocacy, Civil Rights, Immigrant Rights
Tags: DC Africa Festival, ERC, Vince Gray

Going for Gold

Posted on July 31st, 2012 by ERC

Olympic fever is raging across the globe, and residents of nearly every nation are watching their athletes compete for glory in London. As we get in the Olympic and London spirit, Here are some fun facts:

$5,000 U.S. is worth approximately £3,183 in London.
The world record for the 5,000 meter run is just over 12.5 minutes.

Why all this hype about 5,000? Today marks the mid-way point in the ERC’s 5,000 STRONG membership drive! Since we launched the drive , we have interacted with many new members and have seen supporters share our fun “5,000” facts on Facebook , and spread word of the ERC’s work on twitter.

But we aren’t there yet!

As you shout “USA!” while watching the Olympics, think about what those three letters really mean. The United States was formed by immigrants seeking to live free from discrimination. We are a country with tremendous racial and ethnic diversity, and the richness of culture that comes from a diverse population. We are a country that is a leader in protecting the rights of people with disabilities—the Americans with Disabilities Act (which just turned 22) is the most comprehensive disability rights legislation in the world. While we hope all ERC members can cite national pride in the greatness and legacy we have as a diverse nation, there is still much more to be done to maintain our leadership in promoting equality. (more…)

Categorized as Advocacy, Civil Rights, Disability Rights, Fair Housing, Immigrant Rights, LBGT Rights
Tags: 5000 strong, ERC, membership drive, Olympics

Weekly News Round-up

Posted on July 20th, 2012 by ERC

It has been yet another busy and exciting week at the Equal Rights Center!

First, the ERC has launched its “5,000 Strong” summer membership campaign. The ERC hopes to reach its goal of 5,000 members this summer. It’s free to join, however, new and existing members that donate $50 or more will receive an ERC “swag bag” full of ERC materials! Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for updates throughout the campaign.

In addition, the ERC will be participating in the 3^rd Annual D.C. Africa Festival this Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Banneker Community Center. Staff from the ERC’s Immigrant Rights and Disability Rights Programs will be handing out brochures and information to help individuals protect themselves from discrimination.

Finally, the ERC is looking for Fall interns! Do you want to make a difference in people’s lives while advancing civil rights for all? Apply for the Fall 2012 Civil Rights Internships and Communications Internship. For more information, please visit our website.

Enjoy the weekend and thank you for help in advancing civil rights for all!

Categorized as Advocacy, Civil Rights, Disability Rights, Immigrant Rights
Tags: DC Africa, disability rights, Education & Outreach, ERC membership, immigrant rights, intern

5,000 STRONG!

Posted on July 13th, 2012 by ERC

Ever visited China? Approximately 5,000 years ago, civilizations in China were beginning to blossom.

Ever seen the $5,000 bill? Although it was discontinued in 1969, the bill featuring President James Madison remains legal tender today.

Ever heard of the rock band Powerman 5000? Probably not, but it was formed by the younger brother of American musician and film director Rob Zombie.

Why all the hype about the number 5,000? As the Equal Rights Center approaches its 30th anniversary, we are also about to reach another major milestone. This summer, the ERC has set out to find its 5,000th member.

Members of the ERC play an integral role in the advancement of civil rights across the country. As the eyes, ears, and voice of the ERC, our members expand outreach and education to new communities, identify issues of discrimination as they develop, assist in the implementation of investigations, and provide much-needed financial support for the ERC.

All members receive regular e-mail updates about ERC events and activities, a subscription to the ERC’s quarterly “The Point” e-newsletter, and an invitation to the ERC’s annual membership meeting. Perhaps most importantly, members are the first to gain access to critical self-advocacy toolkits, “Know Your Rights” resources, and reports and publications detailing the nature of discrimination that might affect them. The ERC welcomes all members, and there is no cost for these benefits. (more…)

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