Ya Basta Special Edition 2009 (English)

Border Action Network www.borderaction.org Building the Voice for Human Rights on the Arizona-Mexico Border

¡Ya Basta!Free Special Edition 2009 Southern Arizona Español al Reverso

By Jennifer Allen, Executive Director Welcome to this special edition of Ya Basta focused on getting you the tools to convey your experiences and hopes to policy makers and to hold them accountable to their campaign promises and the communities they represent.

We are printing this paper at a time when the debate for comprehensive immigration reform is gaining momentum in Washington and while the Ari-zona state legislature is ramming anti-immigrant bills through the last weeks of session. Every day Border Action Network is send-ing out one, two, sometimes five action alerts to more than 2,000 people over email. Typically, as a result of these alerts, anywhere from fifty to two thousands

emails arrive in policy makers’ in-boxes. But that is not enough. In fact, just this morn-ing, I saw that the anti-immi-grant groups are boasting that

they sent more than 600,000 faxes to the White House telling President Obama NOT to push immigration reform.

We can do better than them. We MUST do better than them.

Our communities may be newer to the internet, Twitter, blogging, etc. But we can learn and we can make these OUR tools as well.

Beginning in the summer of 2009, Border Action Net-work is launching an intensive initiative across the state of Ari-zona. We will be recruiting new members, registering people to vote, and training people in how to send emails, text messages,

faxes, make phone calls and hold meetings to policy makers.

And then, we will put these newly practiced skills right to work. We are launching a postcard-drive to send the White House, Senator McCain and our members of Congress 30,000 postcards this year calling for their support of immigration reform. We will also sign every-one up to receive text messages

alerting you to make calls to the White House and members of Congress at key moments in the immigration reform debate. At the same time, we will also be working with members of our state legislature to promote the notion of immigrant families

being integrated into our state, rather than treated like criminals, marginalized and scapegoated.

This isn’t going to be easy –the immigration debate is loaded with misinformation,

fear and racism. But if we are organized, prepared, and stra-tegic, we can tilt the scales our way and we can win. One voice actually does make a difference. And when we combine that one voice with thousands of others, we will start to see some real changes!

Border Action Launches Statewide Organizing Drive

IN THIS ISSUE

P2. Using Technology

to Advance the

Movement

P3. Principles and

Recommendations

for Immigration and

Border Policy Reforms

P5. Arizona

Congressional and

Legislative District

Maps

P6. Membership

Successes

by Katie O’Connor Propose:

• A congressional member in either the House or the Senate sponsors the idea and turns it into a bill.

Introduce:

• In the House, bills are of-ficially introduced by plac-ing them in a special box known as the hopper on the Speaker’s platform. In the Senate, a bill is introduced by placing it on the presid-ing officer’s desk or by for-mally introducing it on the Senate Floor.

• The first reading of a bill

means the bill’s title is read on the House Floor or Senate Floor. The bill is then referred to an ap-propriate committee.

Committee:

• There are 19 House com-mittees and 16 Senate committees that each have jurisdiction on different areas—public policy, such as agriculture, education and the workforce, and in-ternational relations.

• The bill is placed on the committee’s calendar and the committee debates on and marks up the proposed bill. The bill and its amend-ments are voted on, and

if passed—the either is referred to a subcommit-tee for intensive study, or reported back to the House Floor. A committee may stop action, or “table” a bill it feels unneces-sary to go for-ward. If tabled, the bill is dead.

Subcommittee:

• If sent to a subcommittee, a hearing can be held to from experts, supporters, and opponents of the bill. The subcom-mittee can make further changes to the bill, and then takes a vote to either

accept or reject the changes. If accepted, the bill goes back to the House com-mittee for a final approval.

Reporting:

•The bill is released from the committee, along with a report explain-ing the provisions of the bill, and is thus ordered reported. The reported bill is put on one of five House calendars, the Union Calendar and

the House Calendar being the most commonly used.

How a Bill Becomes Law

We Need To Tell Them! Making Calls to Elected Officials

see “Time is Now” p. 2

see “Bill to Law” p. 5

Border Action Network is a human rights

community organization. Founded in 1999, we are

immigrant and border communities in Southern Arizona working to ensure that our civil and human

rights are protected, our human dignity is respected and that our

communities are safe and healthy places

to live. We are a member based organization that combines community organizing, leadership

development, policy advocacy and litigation.

see “Making Calls” p. 6

by Julissa Villa

To change laws and inform elected officials, we need to communicate with them di-rectly. A tool that al-most every-one has is the phone. That is why, dur-ing the struggle for im-migration reform in Arizona, to avoid the state’s anti-immi-grant bills, we ask that Border Action members and the com-munity call our members of Congress, the President or our legislators. Many of us are not

used to calling officials’ of-fices. Below are the questions we hear frequently. Most im-portant, is that we all can and need to call our elected officials if we want them to do some-thing. If we want immigration reform, we need to tell them! Why call the White House, members of Congress or Senators? Because it is impor-tant that our voices are heard directly by the people rep-resenting us in this country. They receive thousands and thousands of calls on behalf of anti-immigrant groups. We need to change these dynamics and make sure they hear from us directly.

Do I need to speak English? No. In general the number is to communicate in Spanish but the operator will give you instructions to make your request in English (please continue to support immigration reform). It is necessary that we make an effort to complete the call so that our call counts.

If I do not have long distance can I make these calls from my phone? If the number begins with 800, 866, or 8xx, they are free. Will they ask me about my status? No. It is possible they

will ask for a ZIP code, the city you live in, or possibly your address. But this informa-tion is so they can determine if you are a constituent or what part of the state you live in. They use this information to analyze the opinions of those who live in Arizona.

Who can make the call? Anyone – the elder, adults or children who can communicate with the opera-tor and leave the message.

And how do I do it? 1. Call the 1-800-xxx-xxxx number you were given and

The Time is Now!


¡Ya Basta! Special Edition 2009

The Power of My NameSigning Petitions, Postcards or Letters

by Julissa Villa

Numbers are important. Elected officials count the numbers of calls, faxes, emails, letters, petitions and postcards they receive. This is how their constituents can demonstrate the level of sup-port or urgency in the community. To demonstrate that there is a strong and wide support for a im-migration reform, we are going to send more than 30,000 postcards to our officials in Washington from Arizona. To answer the most common ques-tions on signing postcards, letters or petitions, please read the following and start signing and circulating postcards for immigration reform.

Why should a person sign a postcard, petition or letter? Elected officials count the number of constituents that have different opinions. The strongest perspective, the most numerous is go-

ing to receive more attention form the official. Which is why we have to communicate with them frequently and massively. Signed postcards, peti-tions, and letters are a great way to show them how many constituents there are and what they want.

Will there be consequences for sign-ing postcards, letters or petitions? No. Officials do not send information to others agencies, like immigration. Write down only your address, city or ZIP code so the officials can determine that you are someone who resides in Ari-zona, not keep the information to use against you.

If a person is undocu-mented can he or she sign? Yes. Everyone who lives in Arizona can sign regardless of their status. We believe that everyone who resides here wants a better state and a better country. So, even though some

people may be undocumented, they have the right to say how we can improve this country.

Can my children sign? Yes. The whole family can sign, age does not matter.

Can I help distribute post-cards, petitions or letters? Yes. It is necessary that the entire community gets involved. Of-ficials need to hear from the en-tire community. Please contact Border Action Network to get involved with the struggle for immigration reform and pro-tect our rights and dignity!

How To Send a Text Message What could be a better way to help advance the momentum for immigration reform than with a tool that you and 85% of every other U.S. residents have with them for nearly 14-24 hours a day—your cell phone. Text messaging via cell phone has revolutionized the way we stay in touch with our family and friends, so why not with what’s going on in our nation’s Capitol regarding immigration reform? In order to stay informed, organized, and prepared to take action to push immigration reform this year, we have created detailed instructions on how to send and receive late-breaking alerts and information so that you are one-step ahead and always at the ready to take action! The Time is Now! STEP ONE: Access the main menu on your cell phone. In menu, select “Messages/Messaging”. STEP TWO: Go to “Text Messages/Send Message” Hit “Select/New”. STEP THREE: Select the recipient. If prompted to specify the number that you are sending the message to, either directly enter in the receiver’s phone number* OR access your “Phonebook/Contacts” and select the receiver’s number. STEP FOUR: Enter in your message, using the letters located on the key-pad. STEP FIVE: To send your completed message, hit “Send”.STEP SIX: Wait to confirm that the message has been sent.

Send an Email to Your Representative Your cell phone beeps, vibrates, rings, or blares your latest downloaded ringtone—you have an urgent text message from the Text Alert Action Network requesting that you email your Congress person to vote for immigration reform. Now what? The time is now to respond to that alert by sending your email and joining the hundreds and thousands of others who are emailing their representatives, pushing the momentum forward for immigration reform. STEP ONE: Go to www.borderaction.orgSTEP TWO: Check our “Action Center” to the right of the main page for new alerts. OR sign up to receive action alerts via email on the main page (left column). STEP THREE: Click on the alert and scroll down to fill in the form.STEP FOUR: Customize your message.STEP FIVE: Enter your name, email, address, city, state, and zip code.STEP SIX: Select “Send an Email” and/or “Send a Fax”STEP SEVEN: Click “Send my Message!”

Using Technology to Advance the MovementJoin the Text Alert Action Network

STEP ONE: Text “justice” to 69866 (All standard texting fees apply)

STEP TWO: Reply to the first text message with your zip code and email. You will receive about one or two messages every week depending on what is happening in the movement.

The messages will be one of the following:

1. Action alert 2. News item 3. Event information STEP THREE: Grow the Network, Grow Your Power! Help grow the network. Reach out and ask your friends, family, and your social network (Facebook, My Space, Twitter, and Hi5 friends) to join the alert network.

cont. “Time is Now” p. 1

We know that reforming our na-tion’s immigration policies will benefit more than just immigrant families. What we want is a workable solution that will help move this entire country forward. The United States is a country that values justice and equality. We need to raise ourselves up and live up to those standards.

I hope that you will use the information in this issue of Ya Basta and you will share it with your friends and family. Phone calls, emails, postcards won’t be the only things we do to push for the respect of our human rights and human dignity, but they are an important part of it. So dust off your marching and door-knocking shoes, but also dust off your keyboards and telephones…we’ve got some busy times ahead of us!



see “Recommendations” p. 4

Principles and Recommendations for Immigration and Border Policy Reforms in the U.S. to Uphold the Human Rights of Migrants and

US-Mexico Border CommunitiesA. Guidelines for Alternative Border Enforcement Policies and Practices to uphold the rights of migrants and border commu-nities U.S. communities that lie along the border with Mexico live a real-ity that is essentially different from the rest of the country. U.S. immigration policy has transformed the region into a militarized zone where the U.S. Constitution and international law are selectively applied. By failing to recog-nize and affirm fundamental civil and human, U.S. immigration policies and efforts to “secure” the southern border have had dire human consequences, from the ever-increasing tally of migrant deaths on the border to the systemic violation of the civil and human rights of border crossers and those living in border communities. A combination of factors – the lengthy history of abuse, impunity, and lack of accountability associated with border enforcement; the recent rapid and dramatic expansion to three separate entities (Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services currently under the Department of Homeland Secu-rity) and the passage and implementation of restrictive immigration laws that drastically curtail and criminalize immigrants – have created rife conditions with the potential for increased violence against border residents and migrants alike, ultimately threatening the foundations of democracy in the United States.

Accountability on the Border

In considering recommendations to prevent civil and hu-man rights violations along the border, it is critical to keep in mind that all people in the U.S./Mexico border, regardless of their ethnic-ity or legal status, should have their basic rights respected. Policies that criminalize migrants can lead to human rights abuses if law en-forcement officers and agencies are not held accountable for their ac-tions and operations and to the communities in which they operate.

Communities are safer when we implement policies that en-sure accountability and provide local oversight of enforcement activi-ties. Border enforcement policies, projects, and agencies need to be ac-countable to the communities in which they operate. To ensure that this occurs, the U.S. Congress needs to create an independent oversight and review commission. Additional operational and policy recommendations include improved human rights training of officers, strengthened com-plaint procedures, and measures to end racial profiling in the borderlands.

Reviews of Border Operations, Technology and Infrastructure

Border operations and their corresponding technologies and in-frastructure are designed to prevent unlawful immigration, transnational criminal activity and national security threats. Yet each of these issues has distinct root causes, motivations, characteristics and impacts. Current border operations, however, cast the net so widely that strategies to deter immigration which is an administrative issue are resulting in the need-less and horrific deaths of men, women and children. As noted in several reports (i.e. Center for Immigration Studies - University of Houston, the General Accounting Office), border operations such as “Hold the Line”, “Gatekeeper” and “Safeguard” force people to cross the border in danger-ous and isolated desert and mountain regions where the chances of dying of hypothermia, exposure and heat exhaustion increase dramatically. In addition to taking the lives of hundreds of people every year, these opera-tions have failed to stop immigrants from entering the country, increased and professionalized smuggling operations, contributed to the rising tension and violence on the border and fostered civil and human rights violations.

Communities are stronger and lives are saved when we replace border blockade operations with more sensible enforcement. Comprehen-sive immigration reform will eliminate the need for mass border enforcement “operations” that are responsible for hundreds of deaths annually. Imple-mentation of border enforcement actions, technologies, and infrastructure need to take into account impacted communities and the environment.

Port of Entries When the Department of Homeland Security took over the ad-ministration and enforcement at the nations land ports, border crossers have noted a dramatic increase of border waits as well as an increment of abuse of authority complaints by border crossers against Customs and Bor-der Protection (CBP) agents. US Citizens have complained that CBP of-ficials target US Citizens of Latino descent entering through the Ports of Entry. Complaints range from verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual harass-ment, arbitrary detentions, destruction of documents, and denial of entry.

According to a June 2005 study developed by the San Diego Association of Governments, over sixty million trips are made annu-

ally on both directions in the three Ports of Entry located in San Diego County. The average border crossing takes 45 minutes. The economic impact that long border delays has on the Tijuana/San Diego border area alone is astonishing: “over 3 million potential working hours in San Di-ego County are spent in delays at the border, averaging about 45 min-utes per work trip, which may result into $42 million in wages lost. The overall impact at the State level, given that 5% of the trips are headed outside the San Diego region, is over $1.32 billion in addition to the $44.3 million in income loss for work trips.” The San Diego example can likely be extended to describe all ports of entry spanning the border.

Communities flourish when Ports of Entry are treated as vi-tal gateways to America. Ports of Entry are America’s gateway. They are vital to the economy and well-being of the nation and border re-gion, and they deserve major investments in staffing and infrastructure to expedite crossings and reduce the economic impact of long bor-der delays. Dramatic overhaul of complaint and oversight procedures is needed to ensure that the rights of border crossers are protected.

Border Walls and Fencing

The US-Mexico Border walls that have been erected along the southern border urban corridors are unlike any other on Earth. The two na-tions that share this border region are not at war with each other. In fact Mexico and the U.S. enjoy an unprecedented economic partnership in the two nation’s turbulent relationship. Nonetheless, the US-Mexico bor-der region is the most militarized international border between two coun-tries that are not engaged in violent conflict. History has proven that walls are not a solution; the U.S.-Mexico border is no exception to history.

Communities are literally divided by the devastating impact of the border wall, the construction of which should be halted. The con-struction of the border wall should immediately stop due to its overwhelm-ing social, environmental, and legal impacts. Just from a cost-effectiveness standpoint, the current border wall and fencing projects have not proven successful in stopping immigration flows, while construction costs have nearly doubled from $4.5 million per mile to $7.5 million per mile.

Diluting Law Enforcement Resources

Immigration is a global economic and social phenomenon. Immigra-tion into the United States is compelled by the impacts of economic trade agreements and structural adjustment programs and by the basic need to seek opportunity and maintain family ties. Yet, immigration policy is increas-ingly blurring with criminal policy and thereby seeking to criminalize those that are hit the hardest by social and economic policy challenges. Further-more, police and sheriffs departments across the country have repeatedly stated that they are not equipped, trained, or even interested in assuming the responsibility of immigration enforcement. Education, health care, and business leaders have also condemned the insecurity and ineffectiveness of blurring of immigration and criminal enforcement at a community-level.

Communities are safer when local law enforcement is not pressed into immigration-enforcement roles. Federal immigration laws involve complicated administrative and criminal issues, and local law-enforcement agencies should not be forced to assume the role of federal immigration enforcement. Federal and state laws and resources should not be used to pressure local agencies to undertake these activities.

Military at the Border

In May of 2006, President Bush announced the deployment of over 6,000 National Guard troops to “assist” the U.S. Border Pa-trol along the border in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Border communities such as Douglas, AZ are overwhelmed with the Bor-der Patrol’s large presence. With a population of only 14,000, Douglas is nonetheless host to almost 500 Border Patrol agents, or one agent for every 30 people in the town. The proposed increase in U.S. Border Patrol agents and the deployment of 6,000 National Guard troops have filled the more marginalized immigrant communities along the border with terror. With over 6 million people living on the U.S. side of the Mexico border, putting military patrols in their communities would place many people at risk. These soldiers are trained to kill, and are not properly trained in civilian affairs, particularly those related to the unique border region. Families and indi-viduals living within the boundaries of the U.S. should not be subjected to military-style stops, checkpoints, or other violations of their civil liberties.

Communities are safer when the military is not used to enforce civilian law. The military does not belong in civilian law enforcement, even indirectly. Demonstrated risks to civilians of military operations in support of civilian law enforcement should be eliminated. Loopholes in



Border Action Network StaffJennifer Allen

Executive DirectorMichael Monyak

AdministratorSarah Launius

Development Coordinator Katie O’Connor

Program and Grants Coordinator Ana Maria Rivas

Communications Coordinator Julissa Villa

Organizing Coordinator

Border Action Network Board of Directors

Maurice Goldman, ChairMiranda Joseph, Vice-chairRay Michalowski, Treasurer

Victoria Lopez, SecretarySean Garcia

Fernando GonzalezSalvador Ocaño

Eric Popkin

cont. “Recommendations” p. 3

the Posse Comitatus Act governing the National Guard should be closed.

Community Security

As the debate over immigration continues to intensify, local, state and federal elected officials must insure that the debate does not degenerate to xenophobic and violent expressions. At the same time, community security must also be considered an integral part of both national and border security.

Communities are more secure when border enforcement poli-cies focus on the criminal element and engage immigrants in fight-ing the real dangers facing us. Community security is an integral part of national and border security, but we need to stop treating the im-migrant as the greatest threat, focusing instead on dangerous criminals, traffickers, and exploiters in border and immigrant communities.

Detention and Deportation

Current detention and deportation laws and procedures are un-duly harsh and counterproductive. Immigrants arrested for relatively minor criminal and/or immigration violations are often detained indefi-nitely under mandatory detention policies that fail to protect the pub-lic and increase taxpayer costs. The housing and care of approximately 31,000 immigrants each day has become a business for private corpora-tions and a source of federal income for other private facilities, most notably county jails. Immigrants are now being held in over 350 sites across the U.S. Seemingly arbitrary movement from one facility to an-other without explanation occurs frequently throughout the system.

Communities are destabilized by harsh detention and removal practices. It is essential to dramatically overhaul detention practices and the manner in which we conduct removals. We propose a series of specific reforms to improve the human rights conditions of the U.S. detention and deportation system, which currently has little oversight and accountability.

Just and Comprehensive Border Economic Development

The U.S. side of the border is the poorest region in the United States, yet it is a place of great importance to the U.S. economy. Mexico is the second largest U.S. trading partner, and the vast majority of that trade passes across the land border. The border region, for all its challenges, is a place of impressive growth and dynamism, and it is one of the laboratories of the American future.

All communities benefit by engaging the root causes of migratory pressures. Comprehensive economic development is the long-term solu-tion. Just and comprehensive development in the U.S. borderlands, the U.S.

interior, and the Mexican interior, is the long-term solution to migratory pres-sures. B. Recommendations for Comprehensive Immigration Policy Reform to uphold the rights of migrants in the U.S.

Immigrant Legalization and Regularization Policies

Congress ought to implement a broad and serious legalization program with access to permanent residency for immigrant workers and families already in the US, with especial emphasis on the following:

• We call for an expansive program that would make eligible the maxi-mum number of people currently residing in the US without legal status. Other related possible provisions, such as the mandated re-turn or the “touch base” are simply unworkable and unrealistic.

• A legalization program must not include retroactive exclusion pro-visions, and must not exclude persons with outstanding deporta-tion orders or persons who have committed document fraud.

• Any reform needs to allow for the adjustment of status of tar-geted groups including those covered by the DREAM Act, AgJobs, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

New Immigrant Work Program

The entry of future immigrant workers and families to the United State must be regulated through the creation of a new work program that contains fun-damental rights:

• The new programs to must allow immigrant workers to come to the US legally and orderly, without violence.

• New immigrant worker visa programs must provide strong worker pro-tections that include the right to change jobs (portability) and the op-portunity to gain permanent US residency and, later on, citizenship.

• The previously implemented and currently proposed Guest-Worker pro-grams are extremely deficient and flawed. Therefore, they are unacceptable.

Strengthening Worker’s Protection and Reas-sure Labor Rights of Immigrant Workers

Congress needs to ensure that immigration enforcement complements rath-er than undermines the enforcement of labor and employment laws.

• Strengthen the enforcement of existing labor laws regardless of immigra-tion status, including additional funds to the Department of Labor to enforce wage and hour laws. Labor and employment laws must hold bad-apple employers accountable when their actions undermine conditions for all workers. see “Recommendations” p. 5



• Ensure that any new employment eligibility verification system is implemented in a manner that minimizes disruption to work-ers and prevents discrimination and privacy violations.

• Until complete accuracy of data is ensured and safeguards are in place preventing discrimination and abuse, the use of So-cial Security Administration “no match letters” or oth-er employment verification should be prohibited.

• Resources should be dedicated to job training for low-income, native-born workers so the entire workforce benefits from immigration reform.

Restoring Due Process Rights and Judicial Discretion

Current detention and deportation laws and procedures are unduly harsh and counterproductive. Immigrants arrested for relatively minor criminal and or immigration violations are often detained indefinitely under mandatory detention policies.

• Everyone deserves a fair day in court and access to the courts should be improved rather than restricted. A judge should consider a per-son’s case before that individual is incarcerated or deported.

• Restore judicial discretion. Deportation means exile from the U.S. for life and, therefore, judges should be able to make sure that deportations proceedings are fair.

• We oppose any provision that would mandate expansion of “ex-pedited removal,” a system that allows the government to deport an individual without any hearing or access to a lawyer. Individu-als should not be jailed or deported without an opportunity for independent court review in fair and open proceedings.

• Prevent expansion of the number of minor of-fenses that make non-citizens deportable.

• Through immigration law reform and improvements in the man-agement of the immigration system, we ought to decrease the need for mass detention, detention centers and detention beds.

Fixing the Administrative Process of the Immigration System

Immigration reform must provide an overhaul of the immigration ad-ministrative system and structure to eliminate backlogs and expedite, among other things, the adjustment of status, asylum and refugee applications.

• It is imperative that reform measures ensure that the fam-ily backlog is eliminated and the number of visas expanded to reunite families. Immigrant families contribute to our soci-ety and culture and help to meet our labor force needs.

• Restore the number of refugees’ visas to pre 9-11 levels.

New Policies for Immigrant Integration The US Congress must develop effective programs of integration to allow immigrants to fully participate and engage in the social, economic and political life of US society.

• Facilitation of immigrant integration through increased re-sources for English as a Second Language classes, naturaliza-tion and legal services, rolling back increases in application fees and simplifying the application process for naturalization.

Addressing the Root Causes of Migration

Beyond immigration policy reform, we need a brand new international economic policy to address the root causes of migration.

• We strongly believe it is imperative for the U.S. to engage in the engineer-ing, from the bottom up, of a brand new international economic and social policy initiative. Such an initiative must have as a strategic goal the substantial elevation of social and economic standard-of-living in immi-grant sending countries. Unless we manage to promptly and significantly reduce the current asymmetries between the U.S. and its neighbors in the South, no migration policy will prove manageable and sustainable in the long haul.

cont. “Recommendations” p. 4

Consideration: The bill is considered on the House Floor, known as the Commit-tee of the Whole. The bill is debated by all members of the House, read for the second time, amendments can be suggested, read for the third time, and the House is ready to take a final vote on the bill.

Vote:

• If a majority of the House votes to pass the bill, the bill is then referred to the Senate to undergo a similar process of approval. The two hous-es of Congress make up the bicameral legislature, part of a system of checks and balances that ensures that laws are created democratically.

Enrolling the bill:

• If the bill makes it through both chambers, 2 things can happen: 1. If there are no changes (amendments), the bill

goes to the President for his approval or veto. 2. If there are changes, the bill goes to a Conference Committee made up of members from the Senate and the House.

• The Conference Committee must come to an agreement on the bill. Two things can happen to a bill in the Conference Committee:

1. The Committee cannot agree, and the bill dies 2. Differences must be agreed upon before the bill is sent to the President for signature. At this point the bill is “enrolled.”

• The President can: 1. Sign the bill, the bill becomes a law! 2. Take no action, and the bill becomes a law! 3. Vetoes the bill, and the bill dies

• The House and the Senate can override the President’s veto by 2/3 vote in each chamber, and the bill becomes a law!

cont. “Bill to Law” p. 1

Arizona Legislative Districts MapArizona Congressional Districts Map

Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

Senator John McCain (R-AZ)

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D, AZ-1)

Rep. Trent Franks (R, AZ-2)

Rep. John Shadegg (R, AZ-3)

Rep. Ed Pastor (D, AZ-4)

Rep. Harry Mitchell (D, AZ-5)

Rep. Jeff Flake (R, AZ-6)

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D, AZ-7)

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D, AZ-8)



Why be a member?

In the words of Luis Herrera, one of Border Action’s Human Rights Promot-ers, “In spite of bumps in the road and personal obstacles, I’ve witnessed the pervasive fear that exists for too many people in our communities transform into community-based solutions thanks to our collective work. Because we have been able to bring diverse peo-ple together, we have taken our single voice and turned it into thousands.”

“It is because I know that many other members, with different life circum-stances, stand with me that I am able to overcome my personal fear and work for real change.”

Who we are?

Border Action Network is an immi-grant-led and membership-based hu-man rights organization. We depend on members like you to ensure that our border and immigrant communities are healthy, safe places to live. Through education and advocacy we have built the credibility and relationships needed to change policies that most affect our communities in Arizona on a local, state, and national level.

Who are our members?

Our members are leaders in the orga-nization through:• Becoming Human Rights Promot-

ers by completing an intensive 40-hour training in constitutional rights, human rights, abuse docu-mentation, media skills 101, history of immigrants in the U.S. and community organizing. Promoters develop and implement a plan for sharing their knowledge and form-ing a Human Rights Committee within their own neighborhood.

• Nominating and electing the board of directors and serving on the board of directors.

• Leading and participating in trainings for human rights abuse documentation, media spokespeo-ple, public speaking, community outreach methods, and developing campaigns.

• Networking with other grassroots human rights organizations engaged in similar work.

• Recruiting their families and friends to become members and building the membership base.

Our members are engaged in lead-ership roles in their community through:• Leading “Know your rights” and

other discussions in their neigh-borhoods, schools, churches and workplaces.

• Engaging their friends, family, neighbors and co-workers in the organization’s activities by going door-to-door, leading presentations, hosting house meetings, and speak-ing to the media.

• Forming Human Rights Com-mittees in their neighborhoods, schools, churches and workplaces that join the network of Com-mittees in Arizona and across the country.

• Participating in local and national political processes and develop-ments—from meeting with elected officials to discuss immigration reform proposals, to developing recommendations for changes in Border Patrol practices, to talking with people about anti-immigrant ballot initiatives, our members are recognized as community leaders because of the active roles they take in their community and family with Border Action.

What you can do?

I hope you will want to join us in this important work. Become a member today with a contribution of $25 for an individual membership or $50 for a family membership. As a member you will receive our quarterly newspaper ¡Ya Basta! You will also receive updates and opportunities to engage with policy makers in the implementation of real solutions that promote human and civil rights. Can’t make your full donation right now? Sign-up for multiple pay-ments online at www.borderaction.org or by using the pledge form below.

cont. “Making Calls” p. 1

Become a Member Together Our Voice and Action Multiplies!

COUNT ME IN!

Become a member today and let’s build a strong voice for human rights!

Name Address City State Zip Telephone Email I would like to contribute:

$25 $50 $120 $250 $500 Other $ Check Enclosed Please charge my credit card Visa Mastercard

Card Number Exp. Security Code ___________

Border Action NetworkP.O. Box 384, Tucson, AZ 85702

(520) 623-4944www.borderaction.org

listen attentively to the operator. 2. Please say your message to the operator. For example, to sup-port immigration reform, you can say it in English or Spanish. In Eng-lish, you can say: Please continued to support immigration reform.

Can I share this infor-mation with my friends? Yes, share it with all the people you know. If officials don’t hear from us, they are going to listen to others who do not want what we want. No one else can speak for us. We have to do it!

Membership Successes!Thanks to our members and supporters, Border Action has helped de-velop leaders within border and immigrant communities, inspired a growing “human rights constituency” in the state of Arizona and strengthened the credibility of Border Action as a leader in develop-ing real solutions that protect civil and human rights. Thank you!

This past year, with your help, Border Action members were able to accomplish many things. Below are just a few of our achievements in 2008:

• 19 additional Human Rights Promoters graduated (through an impressive 40-hour, 3-month training) who will train their family, co-workers and neighbors in constitution-al and human rights. These promoters lead the movement for human rights in Southern Arizona.

• Established four new “organized communities” in Sierra Vista, Pirtleville, and in Tucson. These organized communi-ties work locally to promote human rights issues in their neighborhoods, but also work together to create a strong network of immigrant families. These leaders develop the strategies for Border Action in Southern Arizona.

• In 2008, Border Action members participated in an ag-gressive civic participation campaign that defeated all 43 anti-immigrant bills introduced in the 2008 Legislative Session.

Ya Basta Special Edition 2009 (English)

Documents

Transcript of Ya Basta Special Edition 2009 (English)