I am an immigrant. I migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines. Although it wasn't always the case, today I am learning to peel the shame I used to feel about being an immigrant. Some cringe at the word "immigrant"; some take and use it as an insult. Many believe that it's an F-word; a word that's a curse, a taboo, something dirty, a word people aren't suppose to use, it's thrown around like a weapon of hate.

The history of the word, from my understanding, is that it was used to place an identifier on a group that was seen as an 'other.' It has been posed to me that perhaps the word "immigrant" should not be used in the first place. But I disagree; eradicating the word isn't a protest of disregard of the power of the ruling class. but rather it's an admittance of their power.

Instead of using "immigrant" as an F-word, I'm suggesting that people remember that language is ours; We determine its meaning and its development, not the other way around. I am an immigrant; I migrated from one place to another. There is nothing wrong with that.

(My particular interest is in the undocumented immigrant experience, particularly undocumented immigrant youth. This blog seeks to journey into learning about the lives of immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, and the politics surrounding the subject.)

"google that!"

Immigrant Rights are Human Rights; If a group of people can be oppressed, who decides who's next?

Inform yourself and others, go to google.com and youtube.com and check out things like:

I.C.E. Detention Center / Hutto Dention Center / DREAM Act


Wednesday, March 23, 2011

NYS introduced it's own state bill of the DREAM Act!

NYS introduced it's own state bill of the DREAM Act!

http://www.nysylc.org/2011/03/breaking-news/
Historic Step: NEW YORK DREAM ACT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Contact: Daniela Alulema 646-472-9565

New York, N.Y. The New York State Youth Leadership Council is proud
and pleased to announce that today undocumented youth have prevailed.
After the defeat of the federal version of the DREAM Act, which would
have provided a path for citizenship to undocumented youth, the NYSYLC
started an aggressive campaign to introduce and gather support for the
first ever state version of the bill. Yesterday, State Senator Bill
Perkins (D-Manhattan) introduced the New York DREAM Act (S. 4179),
co-sponsored by State Senator Dan Squadrant (D-Brooklyn). This bill
would provide benefits to New York undocumented youth who meet certain
criteria. The benefits include access to financial aid for higher
education, access to driver's licenses, work authorization and access
to health care. In order to qualify for these benefits, the young
person must have arrived to the United States before the age of 16, be
under the age of 35, have resided in New York State for at least two
years, have obtained a high school diploma or GED equivalent from an
American institution and have good moral character.
NYSYLC members welcomed the news with open arms and renewed their
commitment to fight for their dreams. The New York DREAM Act will help
undocumented youth achieve their educational and professional goals,
and allow them to contribute to their communities. This is the first
pro-immigrant bill that has been introduced in the state this year,
and would provide much needed relief to immigrant communities.
What: Press conference on the New York DREAM Act

Where: NYSYLC office – 220 Fifth Ave, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001

When: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 2.00pm

Why: The New York DREAM Act will provide access to undocumented youth
to accomplish their dreams and contribute back to their communities

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