Immigrant Farm Wokers Say: Take Our Jobs!

A new campaign has begun to draw attention to the situation of the nation's farm working labor force, largely composed of immigrants from Mexico. They have endured harsh anti-immigrant campaigns and policies, becoming the favorite target of xenophobes and others.

However, now, through the launching of the "Take Our Jobs" campaign (http://www.takeourjobs.org/), the UFW invites people who claim immigrants are taking jobs away from citizens to apply for those same jobs. The UFW vows to help link job seekers with vacancies,

The invitation is as follows:

TAKE OUR JOBS There are two issues facing our nation--high unemployment and undocumented people in the workforce--that many Americans believe are related. Missing from the debate on both issues is an honest recognition that the food we all eat - at home, in restaurants and workplace cafeterias (including those in the Capitol) - comes to us from the labor of undocumented farm workers. Agriculture in the United States is dependent on an immigrant workforce. Three-quarters of all crop workers working in American agriculture were born outside the United States. According to government statistics, since the late 1990s, at least 50% of the crop workers have not been authorized to work legally in the United States. We are a nation in denial about our food supply. As a result the UFW has initiated the "Take Our Jobs" campaign. Farm workers are ready to train citizens and legal residents who wish to replace them in the field, we will use our knowledge and staff to help connect the unemployed with farm employers. Just fill out the form to the right and continue on to the request for job application. Do we have any takers?

Robert Creamer: Evidence Arizona Immigration Law May Be Fatal Mistake for GOP

An article by Robert Creamer analyzing the impact that Arizona's SB 1070 is already having in the electoral processes in the Southwest, hurting republican candidates in places like Texas and California. An evident trend is the drop in support from Latinos that Republicans have in current public opinion polls and, in addition, speculation that Latino voter turnout this fall may be higher than previously anticipated.

The full article:

Robert Creamer: Evidence Arizona Immigration Law May Be Fatal Mistake for GOP

2000-2010: Transición atorada

A casi una década desde que la ciudadanía saco al PRI de la presidencia, la tan deseada transición y consolidación democrática de México no ha logrado alcanzarse. Quedan muchas deudas y problemas pendientes. En algunos renglones, como el de la violencia y actividad criminal organizada, parece ser que se ha empeorado.

El articulo de Pascal Beltran del Rió analiza la situación actual y nos invita a reflexionar sobre los cambios habidos y los que siguen atorados.

La nota completa:

Excélsior - 2000-2010: Transición atorada

Ocultó EU a México muerte de migrantes

Un reportaje del diario Milenio indica que Estados Unidos no ha cumplido con la responsabilidad de informa a las autoridades mexicanas cuando fallece algún connacional bajo su custodia.

Se indica que hay datos sobre al menos 21 muertes de detenidos y que no se informo a las autoridades mexicanas, violando convenios internacionales al respecto.

La nota completa:

Ocultó EU a México muerte de migrantes | Ediciones Impresas Milenio

La Otra Seleccion Mexicana

Gobierno pide aclarar muerte de migrante

Una de las consecuencias de la creciente militarizacion de la frontera es que se ha incrementado el numero de migrantes muertos a lo largo de la frontera. La mayoria al intentar cruzar por zonas cada vez mas inhospitas porque ahi hay menos vigilancia. Otros, debido a encuentros violentos con autoridades de Estados Unidos, como es el caso de Anastasio Hernández Rojas, que estan mal capacitadas y/o abusan de su poder.

La administracion Obama debe hacer de este caso un ejemplo para evitar abusos - y para que vaya tomando en cuenta la necesidad de una estrategia mas realista al fenomeno migratorio.

Y nuestra politica migratoria en Mexico?

Gobierno pide aclarar muerte de migrante - El Universal - México

A Right-Wing Schism Over Immigration Reform?

An article in Mother Jones analyzing the contrasting posture that have emerged among Christian evangelicals over immigration policy. The article discusses recent changes in the positions of important evangelical leaders and the charges of betrayal they have received. The article notes that, at present, some 25% of Latinos consider themselves part of an evangelical church.

A Right-Wing Schism Over Immigration Reform? Mother Jones