Migrant Justice Justicia Migrante

Dear Migrant Justice friends,

Last week represented a bittersweet stage for our movement for human rights. While we celebrated the official signing of S.38 into law, Danilo Lopez, our human rights leader who has been instrumental to Migrant Justice’s successes, got news that he is facing deportation on July 5th.

STOP DANILO’S DEPORTATION BY SIGNING THIS PETITION NOW!

The Obama Administration is deporting 1,100 people per day, many of whom like Danilo, would qualify for immigration reform should it pass!

Read and share this article about the big drivers license victory and Danilo’s story:

http://migrantjustice.net/node/207

We are launching a public campaign to fight this injustice! We call on ICE Director to use prosecutorial discretion to stop this deportation. Not only has Danilo worked tirelessly to make Vermont a better place for everyone, but he would also likely qualify for immigration reform.

In a Burlington Free Press article on June 5, 2013 by Dave Gram, AP Gram writes:

Follow usPLEASE DONATE to Migrant Justice

Vamos Ganando (We are winning): Vermont’s Migrant Workers Start to See Dream for Freedom of Movement Materializing

Driver’s License Bill moves to the House after 27-2 Vote in Senate

Montpelier, VT, April 9, 2013-Vermont migrant workers and supporters celebrate a major step forward in the legislative path for drivers licenses regardless of immigration status.

Bill to Extend Access to Driver's Licenses Regardless of Immigration Status Passes Vermont Senate Transportation Committee w/ 4-1 Vote

Immigrant Workers Welcome Springtime Change With A Big Step on the Road to Rights in Vermont

Driving Towards Human Rights in Vermont

SEE THE STORY TOLD THROUGH PICTURES HERE: http://www.flickr.com//photos/migrantjustice/sets/72157632709096043/show/

2/12/13--Our Vermont State Legislature is in session during the winter months, so sunlight slides straight in through the cafeteria mid-day as state senators and representatives meet with folks from around Vermont. The sunshine lights the tops of people’s heads as if to provide additional brainpower through solar gain.

Hide Trailer from elori kramer on Vimeo.

“If you are drinking milk in the morning or in the night. Don’t forget that me and thousands and thousands of guys are milking the cows for you.”--Bernadino Hernandez in "Hide"

Migrant Justice Takes Huge Step Towards Access to Driver's Licenses in Vermont

Grassroots Campaign Momentum Growing For a Big Victory in 2013

Dec. 14, 2012---After nearly a year of non-stop grassroots organizing, 35 farmworkers took to the State House on Thursday for a final push to successfully move a Legislative Study Committee to an 8-1 vote, recommending that Vermont create a law to allow undocumented residents to access driver's licenses and IDs in 2013! Long time Migrant Justice ally and faith community leader Laura O'Brien was there last Thursday and shares this reflection about the big day below. For a photo essay go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/migrantjustice/sets/72157632274984146/show/

Teacher and writer Parker Palmer talks about harnessing the “creative tension” of the world as a necessity for being an agent of change. That is, finding a way to operate in the world in that space between the way things are and the way we know they can and should be, without becoming so jaded or idealistic that action is impossible.

I would like to think the members of the Driver’s License Study Committee were able to do this on December 13, helped in large part by the imagery surely burned into their mind’s eyes throughout the morning’s proceedings. Around the center table of the House Chamber on Thursday morning this group of power holders was discussing the bureaucratic logistics of what it would mean to grant access to driver’s licenses to people without a Social Security number. And more specifically, how might Vermont’s migrant farmworkers fit into this system.

For Immediate Release
October 3, 2012

Brendan O'Neill, 802-825-1609; 802-658-6770 brendan@migrantjustice.net

Natalia Fajardo, 802-497-7027; 802-658-6770
natalia@migrantjustice.net
Migrant Justice, www.migrantjustice.net; 802-658-6770

Legal Testimony Indicates No Laws Prohibit Vermont From Extending Access to Licenses for Undocumented Residents

Wednesday, October 3rd, VT State House, Room 10
11:15am-12:30pm- Testimony from National Economic and Social Rights Initiative and ACLU-VT