In light of the recent Republican debates, I've been wondering: What would I take with me on my “self-deportation” flight?
Would I be sure to grab my iPhone? My People magazine? What about my Beyonce album and West Wing DVDs? How do I take ”my America” with me on this self-deportation journey? What would you take with you? Continue reading
Posted in Deportation, Immigration Reform, Informed, Jose Antonio Vargas
Tagged DefineAmerican
This is an email I received that I thought was a great cause and wanted to pass it on.
Dear Cache,
This past summer, I wrote an essay detailing my life as an undocumented immigrant. In telling a very personal and specific story my aim was to illuminate a greater universal truth about our broken immigration system.
Years in the making, this broken system impacts not just millions of immigrants who live in the shadows of a country we love and call home. The dysfunction and inaction also impacts countless honest American citizens — from principals to pastors, coaches to classmates — who have answered a moral calling in helping immigrants in various sectors of society. Together, undocumented immigrants like me and the citizens who aid us are increasingly telling the truth about our broken system.
Now, we need your help.
We want to know how do YOU define American? Starting today, we are asking YOU to share your story with us via video, photo, audio or text through our new story tool:
http://DefineAmerican.com/
Hundreds have already shared their stories about their experiences with our broken immigration system, and our goal is now to collect 500 more stories within the next week.
A wide array of people from all walks of life — many of them recognizable – are among the first participants to “define American.” These stories are incredibly moving, and demonstrate the power of a story.
Julie Erfle, is the wife of Nick Erfle, a Phoenix police officer, her high school sweetheart, who was shot and killed by a previously deported undocumented immigrant in September 2007. Nick’s death helped spark the anti-immigrant wave in Arizona, culminating in the passage and signing of SB1070 last year. People expected Julie, a white middle class woman, to ride the wave. Instead, she has called for the need for consensus and finding common ground — for humanity.
You can hear her tell her own story, and share your own here:
http://DefineAmerican.com/
The following questions may help focus your thoughts for your story:
Every day undocumented Americans and our allies are “coming out,” sharing their stories and organizing within their social networks. By telling the truth — by telling and sharing our stories — we are standing up for justice, and for each other. Can you join us and share your story?
http://DefineAmerican.com/
How do YOU define American?
Thank you in advance for sharing your story,
Jose
Define American
http://www.defineamerican.com
Posted in Get Involved, Immigration, Jose Antonio Vargas, Positive, Students
Tagged Activism, Humanity, Immigration, Involved
When Pulitzer prize winning writer Jose Antonio Vargas revealed he was an undocumented immigrant last month it became a waiting game. Everyone who was in tuned with the situation was waiting to see if the government would pursue such a high profile and like able target and would simply leave him be. So far the only difficulty Vargas has faced directly from the government is that Washington State revoked his drivers license. With the new policy passed last week aiming at changing deportation guidelines it should be wondered if this was a gift to Vargas. He seems to meet the early indications of one who would be allowed to avoid deportation. He came in the the country at a young age, he is a good citizen, and for the early part of his life he was unknowingly undocumented. The Obama Administration has faced an onslaught of criticism for the number of people it has deported. I simply wonder if they will use the new policy to avoid another wave of negative criticism for pursuing deportation of Jose Antonio Vargas. I guess it is still a wait and see game but I have to believe the odds just tilted in favor of Vargas.
Posted in Immigration Reform, Jose Antonio Vargas, Obama
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