PICO National Immigration Priorities for 2011 - 2012

PICO has identified 3 top priorities for 2011-2012 to ensure we continue moving our communities and our nation towards more fair and humane immigration policies, as we continue the call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the passage of the DREAM Act. 

The 3 PICO National Immigration Priorities for 2011 - 2012:

The only real solution to the immigration crisis is Comprehensive Immigration Reform at the national level. PICO has identified 3 top priorities for 2011-2012 to ensure we continue moving our communities and our nation towards more fair and humane immigration policies, as we continue the call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the passage of the DREAM Act. 

Administrative Relief

PICO is working diligently to urge President Obama and Secretary Napolitano to grant relief of deportation to our DREAM eligible students and mixed status families. In addition, we are working to achieve revisions to the Secure Communities Program (SCOMM) so that hard working, non-criminal immigrants who would be eligible for CIR and/or the DREAM Act do not continue to be systematically detained and deported at the highest rates in our nation's history. Click here for more information about the SCOMM. 

Fight Mandatory E-verify

PICO faith and community members are in serious opposition to mandatory e-verify if it is introduced without Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation or without a pathway to legalization for the undocumented. Click here for more information and resources about e-verify

Launch a Powerful Voter Registration/Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Strategy

Building up to the 2012 elections, the PICO National network will be developing a powerful voter registration/GOTV strategy that will include targeting new citizens and children of immigrants who are now coming of age to vote and can soon turn the tables on the immigration issue. 

What can you do?

Tell President Obama to "Stop Deporting DREAMers" 

President Obama said that it makes no sense to deport talented, responsible young people in his State of the Union Address.However, the numbers don't add up. The Obama administration is deporting more people than President Bush, including many of our DREAM eligible students and youth. In fact, more people are being deported now than ever before in the history of the United States.  Click hereto sign petition.

Immigration Resources

PICO has gathered materials, resources, and links to our allies working for comprehensive immigration reform. See the resources below and share with your family and friends.

Documents & Links:

• Economic Benefits of Comprehensive Immigration Reform [doc]
• Comprehensive Immigration Reform: 5 Key Elements [doc]
• DREAM Act Resources
• E-verify materials
• Secure Communities (SCOMM)

Responses to the Raids

In 2007, PICO organizations in communities where massive immigration raids took place - including United Interfaith Action in New Bedford, Massachusetts; Congregations Building Community in Greeley, Colorado; and Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization, People Acting in Community Together, Peninsula Interfaith Action, and Oakland Community Organizations, in the San Francisco Bay Area - organized religious leaders from across the country to demand a halt to the raids and to call on Congress to investigate ICE behavior.

Clergy, families and local mayors from PICO federations in California, Colorado, and Massachusetts traveled to Washington, D.C. in May 2007 to deliver a statement signed by more than 350 clergy from 38 states, to the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and key Congressional leaders.

National Policy

People and Congregations Together (PACT) in Stockton, California helped change language in the U.S. Patriot Act that had prevented members of the Hmong community from becoming citizens, applying for permanent resident status, and even attaining driver's licenses. President Bush signed the legislation, which included automatic relief for the Hmong and other groups that do not pose a threat to the United States, days after a massive rally of more than 1,800 Hmong members in Stockton.

Civic Leadership

Northern Valley Sponsoring Committee (NVSC), a PICO affiliate based in Sacramento, CA, has guided nearly 1,500 eligible immigrants through the grueling process of becoming U.S. citizens while training them to become leaders in their community. These new citizen leaders are putting their skills to work improving the drinking water in Colusa County, one of the poorest counties in California.

Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) in Kansas City, Missouri worked closely with the city's growing Latino immigrant community and Parks Department to reclaim abandoned parks as soccer fields. CCO assisted in the creation of 32 soccer leagues reaching over 1,500 young people.

Local Ordinances

Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) in southern California helped stop a proposal by the Santa Ana Police Department which would have given local police the ability to enforce federal immigration law. OCCCO leaders arranged a large community meeting with the Police Chief, where community members shared the public safety problems the city would face if immigrants were afraid to interact with the police. The Police Chief dropped the proposal after the meeting with OCCCO.

In-State Tuition Campaigns

In 2008, Metro Organizations for People (MOP) in Denver, Colorado took a lead role in establishing a diverse statewide coalition, the Higher Education Access Alliance, to promote equal access to higher education for undocumented students. The coalition includes 26 organizations, including tuition equity endorsements from the Colorado Education Association, Colorado Association of School Board Executives, University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, the Denver City Council, and the Denver Public Schools Board of Education.  In January 2009, the Alliance introduced tuition equity legislation to secure access to instate tuition and state financial aid.