Democracy for New Hampshire - Immigration

The Global Poverty Act

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:54:47 -0400

I'm writing on behalf of the Borgen Project- a seattle based non profit organization working to bring political attention to severe poverty. You can learn more about our organization through theborgenproject.org.

As you will see we have created the Global Poverty Act which has passed in the House and now we're trying to pass in the Senate. The way you can help is severly important and takes only thirty seconds to help pass this act.

We need roughly a dozen people (however the more the merrier) in New Hampshire to call Senator Sununu's office at (603) 647- 7500 and simply tell the staffer on the phone: “I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like the Senator to cosponsor the Global Poverty Act.” People can also email his office here:

sununu.senate.gov.

If you and your members can make the call or shoot an email it would greatly help the cause. You can see here (sample call log on right) how political offices tally each call and why it’s so important. Thank you so much for your consideration and let me know if I can answer any questions.
Thank you,

Candice Hays
The Borgen Project
theborgenproject.org

ICE Drugging

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:28:37 -0400

Lawsuit: ICE drugging detainees set for deportation

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Former detainees of Immigration and Customs Enforcement accuse the agency in a lawsuit of forcibly injecting them with psychotropic drugs while trying to shuttle them out of the country during their deportation.

Helen Aguirre Ferre, "Immigration Reform: A case for border security or national insecurity?"

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:17:49 -0400

Sept. 24, 7 p.m.: Helen Aguirre Ferre, "Immigration Reform: A case for border security or national insecurity?"

Helen Aguirre Ferre is an award-winning, bilingual journalist in both print and broadcast media. With over two decades of reporting, she is the Opinion Page Editor of Diario Las Américas, an independent, family-owned Spanish-language newspaper founded in Miami in 1953.

nhiop@anselm.edu

Capital update Important Immigration Provisions Included in House Farm Bill H.R. 3161

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 07:04:10 -0400

Farm Bill Explodes into Debate Over Illegal Immigration
As the House was attempting to wrap up business for the August recess Thursday night, a debate over illegal immigration brought floor action to a screeching halt. Shortly before midnight Representatives were about to vote on final passage of the Farm Bill (H.R. 3161), which funds the Agriculture Department and Food and Drug Administration, when Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA) offered a motion to send the bill back to committee. Importantly, however, this motion was made with instructions for the committee to adopt an amendment prohibiting all funds in H.R.3161 (including money for food stamps and housing assistance) from being used to assist illegal aliens. The vote on the Lewis motion was extremely close, with the outcome fluctuating by only two to three votes. It was at that point that chaos erupted.

According to Congress Now, the voting board posted in the chambers closed the vote at 215-213, a victory for the Lewis motion. However, it appears that despite the final posting on the board, three Representatives were allowed to switch their 'aye' votes to 'nay', changing the total to 212-216, a defeat for the Lewis motion. The vote switch happened so quickly that both parties simultaneously claimed victory, causing mass confusion on the floor. When it became clear that Leadership had declared the motion to have failed when the voting board showed the motion had prevailed, Republicans began shouting 'shame' and 'cheaters' at their Democratic colleagues. It was at that point that over 100 Republicans marched off the House floor in protest.

Human Rights First Welcomes Bipartisan Bill to Protect Iraqi Refugees

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 15:53:45 -0400

Human Rights First Welcomes Bipartisan Bill to Protect Iraqi Refugees
Proposals Would Extend a "Long-Overdue Lifeline"

More About Refugee Protection

Human Rights First today welcomed “The Refugee Crisis in Iraq Act,” co-sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) which would provide safe haven to those Iraqis who are at risk because of their work with the United States or with U.S. organizations.

“This bill will extend a long-overdue lifeline to Iraqi refugees who have fled from persecution and danger, ” said Eleanor Acer, Director of the Refugee Protection Program at Human Rights First. “I hope this legislation spurs action within the administration, which has yet to respond to this growing crisis with the necessary scale or urgency.”

Senators Kennedy and Smith introduced the legislation in anticipation of World Refugee Day on June 20, the date set aside to focus global attention on the plight of the world’s refugees and their struggles against oppression and persecution. The Kennedy-Smith bill would:

Voter ID amendment quashed in immigration bill

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:44:59 -0400

SOURCE: PFAW

McConnell Voter ID Amendment Resoundingly Defeated in the Senate 41–52

Late Tuesday, the Senate rejected 41–52 Senator Mitch McConnell’s effort to attach a voter ID amendment to the immigration bill. Hailing McConnell’s defeat as a victory for voting rights, People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas issued the following statement:

“Senator McConnell’s voter ID amendment was politics at its worst. It had nothing to do with immigration. Rather, its impact would have been to keep eligible voters away from the polls—especially poor people, senior citizens, students, minorities, and people from rural areas. Its resounding bipartisan defeat is a huge victory for voters and voting rights advocates.

“Voter ID schemes make it more difficult for voters to exercise their right to vote and significantly increase the chances that eligible, registered voters will be denied the right to vote, while doing absolutely nothing to prevent voter fraud, which every study agrees is virtually non-existent. McConnell’s amendment is part of a coordinated political strategy to create a more exclusive electorate. Fortunately, so far this year, 22 state legislatures have rejected voter ID bills. And now the Senate has joined them in doing the right thing.

FBI to Investigate Immigration Rally

Fri, 04 May 2007 08:33:26 -0400

SOURCE: Chicago Tribune

By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ
Associated Press Writer
Published May 4, 2007, 6:29 AM CDT

LOS ANGELES -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa planned to cut short a trade mission in Mexico Friday to deal with the fallout from police clashes at an immigrant rally here earlier this week.

"I've decided to go back because I think it is necessary to make sure people know everything is in order and we will conduct a thorough and transparent investigation," Villaraigosa told the Televisa news network late Thursday.

Authorities have launched several investigations into the Los Angeles Police Department's actions at the May 1 rally, where police fired 240 rubber bullets. Video images of the incident were broadcast worldwide.

Villaraigosa arrived in Mexico Thursday to promote investment, trade and tourism with Los Angeles, home to the largest Mexican population outside Mexico. He visited El Salvador earlier in the week.

NH Institute of Art - Town Hall meeting with Dennis Kucinich

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:27:29 -0400

All are invited to spend a couple hours with 2008 Presidential candidate DENNIS KUCINICH for a candid discussion of real issues.

For more information contact Pat Frisella at frisella@wordlpath.net or pat@kucinich.us
or
Christina at christina@kucinich.us, cell: 603-997-6123

Immigrants and Their Allies Join Together And Demand Comprehensive Immigration Reform with Calls to Congress

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 19:52:25 -0400

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 23, 2007

Contact: Germonique Jones 202-339-9331, Cheryl Aguilar 202-339-9316

Immigrants and Their Allies Join Together And Demand Comprehensive Immigration Reform with Calls to Congress

WHAT
: Following Congressmen Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Congressman Jeff Flake’s (R-AZ) bipartisan introduction of a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the House, advocates will jam the phone lines in Congress as part of a national call-in day on March 27 and 28. The Fair Immigration Reform Movement along with the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform are inviting families, workers, students, faith leaders, business leaders, immigrant rights groups and communities across the country to become a part of the movement for immigrant rights. The time is NOW for comprehensive immigration reform in this country. This call-in day is part of a national coordinated campaign of actions to push for fair and humane comprehensive reform.

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 and Thursday, March 29, 2007

Bird-dog training in New London Feb. 25

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 06:29:30 -0500

A conference at Colby Sawyer College on Sunday, Feb 25 will give citizens the skills and tools they need to interact with Presidential candidates.

“Democracy in Action” will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. in Clement Hall of Colby Sawyer’s Ivey Center. The conference, which includes workshops on current issues and hands-on training on how to get candidates to answer your question, is free and open to the public.

Issue workshops will include Iraq and nuclear weapons; the federal budget; climate change; and water, trade policy and the environment.

Democracy in Action is co-sponsored by Colby-Sawyer Coalition for Peace & Justice, American Friends Service Committee, PrioritiesNH, NH Peace Action, and Carbon Coalition. For more information or to pre-register, contact Erin Placey at eplacey@afsc.org or 603-224-2407.

Comments wanted for article on the 2008 Presidential Primary

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:27:34 -0500

Hello,
I am currntly working on a series of articles for www.newhampshireprimary.blogspot.com, as well as a possible short book on the upcoming 2008 New Hampshire Presidential Primary. Anyone interested may contribute comments or thoughts by emailing me at dwa@unh.edu or comment here. The piece/pieces will focus on the views of New Hampshire voters and their preferences in terms of the candidates. Namely, I'd like to know what issues New Hampshire voters care about the most, and the candidates they feel best represent their interests. One may also want to comment on past elections, campaign experiences, etc...
Thanks!
David Anderson
Graduate Student/Writer/Activist
University of New Hampshire

All American Social featuring U.S. Senator Joe Biden

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 03:13:40 -0400

U.S. Senator Joe Biden has announced he will visit Salem, NH on July 21 to meet with the residents of southern Rockingham County and Democratic candidates for federal and state elected offices.

Senator Biden (D – Del), a 2008 Presidential candidate, will be the featured speaker in support of Executive Council candidate Bev Hollingworth at an “old-fashioned – all-American social” to be held at the Derry/Salem Elks Lodge, 39 Shadow Lake Road (Route 111), Salem.

The event, which is open to the public and free of charge, will begin at 5 p.m. Hot dogs, ice cream and one-on-one conversation with numerous candidates promise to provide an entertaining and informative evening.

Former Senate President Hollingworth (D – Hampton) is a candidate for the District 3 Executive Council seat. The event is co-sponsored by the Salem and Windham Area Democrats. Anyone desiring additional information should contact Kathy Cote at (603) 893-6846.

Please RSVP to teamhollingworth@msn.com, or call 893-6846 or 893-6677

Lakoff on immigration

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 22:42:03 -0400

The Framing of Immigration, By George Lakoff and Sam Ferguson

Source: The Rockridge Institute
(c) 2006 The Rockridge Institute (We invite the free distribution of this piece)

On May 15th, in an address from the Oval Office, President Bush presented his proposal for "comprehensive immigration reform."

The term "immigration reform" evokes an issue-defining conceptual frame — The Immigration Problem Frame — a frame that imposes a structure on the current situation, defines a set of “problems” with that situation, and circumscribes the possibility for "solutions."

"Reform," when used in politics, indicates there is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed — take "medicare reform," "lobbying reform," "social security reform." The noun that's attached to reform — "immigration" — points to where the problem lies. Whatever noun is attached to “reform” becomes the locus of the problem and constrains what counts as a solution.

Sullivan responds to Bush immigration address

Tue, 16 May 2006 11:20:48 -0400

For Immediate Release - Monday, May 15, 2006

Sullivan Response To Bush Immigration Address

State Rep. Peter Sullivan released the following statement in response to President Bush's remarks on Monday evening:

"The President's pledge to work with local law enforcement to provide better training and resources is a welcome development, as is his call for an earned path to citizenship. This aspect of his remarks recognizes the enforcement problem while acknowledging the need to accept and assimilate new members of the American family.

"Unfortunately, the Administration's proposal to deploy the National Guard along the border amounts to government by gimmickry. The Guard is already strained by deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. The last thing that we need is the introduction of a training distractor of enormous proportions.

"In addition, the militarization of the border is a diplomatic step in the wrong direction. In an increasingly interconnected world, an armed south

Celebrate diversity! Fundraising dinner for Borderlinks program

Sun, 07 May 2006 09:26:44 -0400

Saturday May 13th, 6-8pm
(Take your mother out to dinner as a special Mother’s day treat!)

Celebrate Diversity!
An evening of:
• Mexican food
• Educational Film & speakers on immigration
• Silent auction
With a special performance by a local Colombian folk dance group!

To raise money for an educational/service delegation to the U.S.-Mexico border for New Hampshire residents to learn more about immigration and human rights issues

6-7pm: Mexican dinner and socializing
7-8pm: Documentary “Rights on the Line”, speakers about immigration, and Colombian dance group performance

St. Augustin's Church (382 Beech St., Manchester)

$10 in advance, $15 at the door, $20 family rate

To RSVP call 603-224-2407 or email myager@afsc.org
(Tickets also available at the door)