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Class Action is developing this part of our web site to
include a range of issues linked to class, including education,
health care, housing, taxes, and wage inequality. Most
important organizing work is done at the local level, in
your community. We feature this national activity
as a resource. We welcome your ideas and suggestions!
The Immigration Debate
The United States House and Senate have competing immigration bills. The comprehensive Senate bill (S2611) proposes militarization of the US/ Mexico border but also allows for a legalization process and guest worker program. This bill passed in the Senate 90% of Democrats supporting, 59% of Republicans opposing and now moves to the house, which has just passed their own bill. The house bill, sponsored by Rep. Sensenbrenner (HR 4437) also advocates militarization but does not include a legalization process or guest worker provision. This bill passed the house with 92% of Republicans supporting, 82% of Democrats opposing and will now move to the Senate where it is stalled because of the Senate’s bill.
The Mexican-American Political Association has a side by side comparison of the bills on their website.
The house and senate have not agreed on a compromise bill, instead both committees are holding public hearings across the US. Hearings will be held in the followings cities, with more to be added:
July 31 Plano TX
August 2 San Diego
August 17 El Paso TX
August 24 Concord NH
August 29 Evansville IN
Week of August 14 Yuma AZ
September 1 Dubuque Iowa
Whatever your feelings on immigration you can make your voice heard by attending these events.
If you are opposed to the building of a wall along the US/ Mexico border and the legislation above, The Mexican-American Political Association has a comprehensive action page with many resources.
Personal Action:
Change your language. Do you ever use the term “illegal immigrant” or
“alien” when you speak or write? Be aware of how you describe people. Is
a person criminal (or “illegal”) because they seek economic security or
political freedom? Maybe someone you know is an “alien” because of lost
paperwork, complicated bureaucratic procedures, or faulty legal advice.
Be conscious of how criminalizing a person for where they reside or
automatically assuming insurmountable differences is reflected in the
language that you use, that people around you use, and that the media
uses. Perhaps undocumented resident is a more just way of referring to a
person. Raise other people’s consciousness. Have other suggestions? Let
us know.
More Actions Against Classism...
July 2006: Ethical Travel and Responsible Tourism
June 2006: Universal Health Care and Estate Tax Repeal
May 2006: Support Fair Trade
April 2006: Raise the Minimum Wage
March 2006: Challenge Class Bias in Tax Enforcement
February 2006: Demand that Big Businesses Pay their Fair Share of Health Care
January 2006: Continue Efforts to Stop the Classist Federal Spending Bill
December 2005: Stop the Classist Budget
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