Citizens for Immigrants

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-12088846-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {} US citizen allies are an important part of the immigrant-led national movement for just & humane immigration reform in the United States. Share YOUR original first person nonfictional/true story about why you support immigrant rights. Send text of up to 1000 words or links to your audio, video or photographic works to [email protected]

[citizens4immigrants]

#WelcomeUS Celebrates June as Immigrant Heritage Month 

Learn more here: http://welcome.us

[citizens4immigrants]

President Trumka: The Courage to Lock Arms Together and Say "#Not1More"

Inspiring words at the closing of the White House hunger strike and lighting of 90' wide projection against deportations.

[citizens4immigrants]

Local News Anchorwoman Destroys Coke Ad Misinformation 

Reacting to conservative complaints about Coca-Cola's Super Bowl ad, Brenda Wood from WXIA in Atlanta destroys conservative myths about multiculturalism in America. Advertisements have been running on this video solely due to the policies of YouTube and Google and not through any choice on the part of Media Matters For America. Media Matters does not endorse nor does it receive any of the proceeds of these advertisements.

[citizens4immigrants]

Neighbors Build A Refuge via @wabedalton @latinousa: Reporter Martha Dalton takes us to the remote town of Lumpkin, Georgia. Volunteers are supporting the family members of detained immigrants. One small act of kindness–creating a place to stay–helps these families visit their loved ones. The volunteers also create an opportunity for people to come and meet those affected by immigration detention policies.

[citizens4immigrants]

Neighborly Policing In Alabama via @msabcleek @LatinoUSA: 

Alabama is known for having some of the nation’s harshest anti-immigrant laws. In the tiny town of Clanton, officers were ordered to arrest anyone with a valid visa, leading to severe cases like the arrest of a breastfeeding mother. But police chief Brian Stilwell is trying to change his force’s negative image by finally reaching out to Clanton’s growing immigrant community. Ashley Cleek went down to the Alabama town to learn more.

[citizens4immigrants]

'I am proud of what I did,' Peter told me on the phone.

Jose Antonio Vargas on his allies in his article "In Immigration Reform, Allies Must Join Activists"

"I was not the only person who “came out,” so to speak, when the New York Times Magazine published an essay on my life as an undocumented immigrant nearly three years ago.

Pat Hyland and Rich Fischer, veteran educators who served as my mentors at Mountain View High School; Jim Strand, the venture capitalist whose scholarship fund paid for my college education; Peter Perl, a senior editor at the Washington Postwho risked his career by keeping my secret — all of them “came out” too. As I prepared to publicly reveal my undocumented status in the spring of 2011, I reached out to Pat, Rich, Jim, and Peter. “You are a part of my story,” I told each of them, before asking permission to include them in my essay"

[citizens4immigrants]

via @iamparagon: Economic Impact of Immigrants

[citizens4immigrants]

#TheJailerPart2 by @DevotchkaMusic @ErinMckeown @Flobots in support of immigration reform

The Jailer: Part 2" is a remix of Erin McKeown's critically-acclaimed song, "The Jailer", a collaboration between Star Jaguar's Shawn King (Devotchka) and Stephen Brackett (Flobots), featuring Erin McKeown.  The trio united to create the "The Jailer: Part 2" remix and lyric video as a way to expand their support for just and humane immigration reform. The project was inspired by a visit to border communities in Arizona -- part of an Air Traffic Control (ATC) Artist--Activist Retreat -- where the musicians witnessed first-hand the challenges facing the recent immigrants and U.S. citizens residing there.

For a FREE download of The Jailer: Part 2, click here.

[citizens4immigrants]

We see the contributions of immigrants to our communities everyday. Yet again, this report shows how immigrants help keep our economy vibrant and strong.

Susan Segal, President and CEO of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA) in discussing a new report Immigration and the Revival of American Cities: From Preserving Manufacturing Jobs to Strengthening the Housing Market.

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Jewish biblical mandates to love and treat the stranger humanely are complemented by our history as a people. We know the pain of vulnerability and oppression. We know the experience of isolation and the eternal hope for freedom, justice and opportunity.

Rabbi Steve Gutow in his article "Immigration Reform Now: The Intersection of Religion, American Political Will and Reason" Gutow is the President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

[citizens4immigrants]

via @JSJ_Roundtable: 

"Hineni: Here I am"

In this moment, every American of every background has an opportunity to stand up and say, 'Hineni. Here I am.' The work to secure comprehensive immigration reform may not be done in a day, or a month, or a year... but I pledge to do my part. Fulfill your pledge right now by liking and sharing this video.

[citizens4immigrants]

@TeachForAmerica Dares to DREAM

Teach For America supports the DREAM Act. Listen as some of our staff members share many of the reasons why.

[citizens4immigrants]

If we made a short list of what made America great, immigration would be on it. Immigrants have left a positive, indelible imprint on our state and nation.

Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan offers wishes for safe July 4 celebration: Snyder says holiday is time to reflect on our shared American heritage

[citizens4immigrants]

From coast to coast and throughout the heartland of America, immigrants and immigrant entrepreneurs breathe new life into communities. They not only help stem population loss, alleviate aging population trends, and fill labor market gaps, but they also inject new energy into local economies and boost housing markets. Immigrants also open new businesses and create new jobs along with a new and growing consumer base. In many cases, immigrants and their businesses are helping to revitalize neighborhoods within small towns and growing metropolitan regions. Clearly, local city leaders, practitioners, and researchers are interested in implementing immigrant integration initiatives.

Immigration Policy Center: "Local Welcoming Initiatives Help Build a Nation of Neighbors"

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A growing body of research demonstrates how immigrant-friendly cities can create positive opportunities for all. Immigrants from across the skills spectrum contribute economically and are often highly sought after to fill critical gaps in the labor market. Immigrants are also more likely to start a business than nonimmigrants. Consider a Fiscal Policy Institute report indicating that small businesses owned by immigrants employed an estimated 4.7 million people in 2007 and were generating more than $776 billion annually.

Rachel Steinhardt: Promoting Prosperity by Welcoming Immigrants 

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The National Education Association is sponsoring National Call In Days for Dreamers. The Senate is preparing to debate the most important immigration bill our country has seen in decades. Included in this monumental step towards compassionate, comprehensive reform of a broken system are protections for families to stay together; a path to citizenship for hardworking immigrants; and, for Dreamers –students who were brought here as children and who dream of belonging to a country they call home, a chance to finally become a citizen.

Call your Senator by dialing 1-866-632-6057

The time is now for the Senate to take a bold step forward on behalf of millions of aspiring new Americans and help them reach the light at the end of the tunnel.

Read more here: http://www.nea.org/home/55700.htm

[citizens4immigrants]

Nuns driving debate on US immigration

Learn more at Nuns on the Bus