Immigration Reform Efforts Applauded By South Bay Day Laborers « CBS San Francisco

María Marroquín, health Executive Director of the Day Worker Center of Mountain View, said she hopes lawmakers are realizing the need for humane immigration reform. But she said she was less enthusiastic about one of the ideas – a new agricultural worker program. “The previous experience that we had didn’t really work well,” she said. “It’s really easy t…

Questions for the White House on Immigration Reform

Key Questions for the White House on Immigration Reform

Questions for the White House on Immigration ReformWhile President Obama has repeatedly pledged to make immigration reform a centerpiece of his next term, not one question was asked of him on this topic by reporters during yesterday’s White House press conference.  

Though the debt ceiling was the issue of the day, it is fair to assume immigration will take center stage in future White House press briefings.  

To clarify and define what can be expected of President Obama’s reform proposal, and to further advance the national debate about immigration reform, tough questions should be asked that cut through political spin and rhetoric.  

Below are just a few specific questions that we at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network feel should be asked of the White House.  We encourage others to add their questions below in the comment section. 

While rebuilding Sandy-struck areas, immigrant day laborers are undergoing hardships

By: Jacob Goodwin,, Thu, 2012-11-08 | Source: GSNMagazine.com Some of the community groups that advocate on behalf of the New York metropolitan area’s day laborers pointed out on Nov. 8 that some hiring sites have been damaged during Hurricane Sandy, that many workers’ families have been forced to evacuate their homes, and that these workers —…

USCIS Reminds Individuals Affected by Hurricane Sandy of Temporary Immigration Relief Measures

Source: USCIS.gov U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds customers affected by Hurricane Sandy of certain U.S. immigration benefits or relief that may be available to them. USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to maintain lawful immigration status or obtain certain other immigration benefits. Eligible individuals may request or apply…

Day Laborers Will Be Key to Recovery After the Storm

When storms like Sandy strike we are reminded of how much we need each other and of how dependent on each other we are for our own wellbeing. Bearing down for the storm exposes our uneven resources and the fragility of our daily lives. Making it through demonstrates our resilience and shows us the monumental task of rebuilding.

What will it take to recover from the super storm that struck the East Coast? How do we repair after a disaster? Downed power lines, empty gas tanks, see flooded tunnels, destroyed homes, lost family members: No one could have predicted what Sandy would do to places completely unaccustomed to that type of weather.

As the region gets ready for recovery one thing is true. Day laborers, migrant, and low-wage workers will be key to rebuilding New York and other affected areas. The workers who lend their labor to homeowners and contractors on a daily basis are gathering at worker centers and at street corner hiring sites, ready and available to help those in need of relief.