Immigration Blogging Archive (or, what I did Fall 2010)

Obligatory, looong-overdue “it’s been a while since I’ve blogged…” post chock full of content. From late September 2010 through mid-December 2010, I had the honor and privilege to work with America’s Voice as their New Media Intern. My first true foray into activist blogging, it was a humbling, educational, and inspiring experience. The amazing people I worked with and the awesome young Dreamers – immigrants and activists fighting for the right to go to school, work, serve in the military, and give back to the country they love and call home – touched me deeply and taught me a lot about passion and perseverance.

The only way to sum up the experience is through some of the words, images, and video I posted during that time, featuring actions and people that left a big impression. Even if you are not interested in immigration as a political issue, even if you’re pretty sure you know where you stand, please, take a look at the articles, stories and images below. These young people are amazing, and continue to push for their dreams.

Most of these posts were edited by the talented Jackie Mahendra, now with Change.org. Huge shout-outs also to Mahwish, Matt, and the rest of the AV staff for their inspiration and support.

December and the DREAM Act: DREAM Act votes, week of action. Many outdoor marches and rallies, despite freezing temperatures.

• Civic Leaders to Senators:  We Will Remember Your Vote on DREAM, 12/17/10, co-authored with Jackie Mahendra
• WATCH: DREAM Youth and Military Veterans Rally at U.S. Capitol, 12/15/10, with video of testimony by patriotic youth who are denied the opportunity to serve
• WATCH: Caroling for the DREAM Act and Praying for our Nation’s Conscience, 12/15/10, co-authored with Mahwish Khan, with video by Eric Byler of the Coffee Party and more
• Prominent Faith Leaders Converge for Prayer Summit, “Jericho March” for DREAM Act, 12/14/10, with photo slideshow
• DREAM Act Caroling Procession Sets Stage for Week of Holiday-Themed Calls to Conscience, 12/13/10, with photo slideshow
• Dreams Dashed in Georgia as Board of Regents Bars Students from Several State Colleges, 10/15/10. (Georgia’s war on immigrants really hits home, as I am saddened by my home state’s new anti-immigrant law passed this spring.)
• Find many great DREAM Act resources here on the America’s Voice site to learn more.

The Election and the Latino Vote

• Group’s Ad to Suppress Latino Vote in Nevada Backfires, Former RNC Staffer Threatens to Sue, 10/20/10, co-authored with Jackie Mahendra
• Angle Denies Race-Baiting, Calls Latinos “Asian,” Pulls Disputed Image from Her Ads, 10/18/10, with random pop-culture reference

Congressional testimony and Rallying

• Bloomberg and Murdoch Agree, But Which Way Forward on Immigration Reform?, 10/01/10, with video of Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch testifying on immigration reform, with a different viewpoint than one sees on Fox
• One Nation Rally this Saturday for Immigration Reform, Jobs, Justice, Education, 9/30/10. View photos of the rally here.