SIREN Post-Election Press Conference Wednesday 11/7

For Immediate Release: November 6, 2018

Contact: Jeremy Barousse

               mediainquiries@siren-bayarea.org

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

11:00 AM

Immigrant Rights Group to Host Press Conference Celebrating Voter Turnout Among Immigrants

San Jose, CA -- Immigrant and refugee rights organization, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) will be hosting a press conference Wednesday, November 7 at 11:00am to celebrate the voter turnout among immigrants and youth in Northern California and the Central Valley, and the difference they made in the passing of key state ballot propositions and local measures.

Since September, SIREN’s civic engagement team, made up of immigrants and youth, made over 130,000 calls and 3,000 texts to immigrant voters in multiple counties throughout the Bay Area and Central Valley in Spanish and Vietnamese.

“In this election, we showed up to vote in massive numbers in our region and the state, our campaign was about engaging with immigrant and youth voters and building community power with them” said SIREN’s Executive Director, Maricela Gutiérrez.  “We will keep our movement going by organizing this new voting bloc, and continue to fight for immigrant and refugee rights.”

Speakers will include immigrants and young people who voted in their first election, and who are left out of the voting process but who helped lead the voter engagement campaign.

WHO: Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN)

WHAT: Post-Election Press Conference

WHEN: Wednesday November 7, 2018 at 11am

WHERE: SIREN Office located at 1415 Koll Circle, Suite 108, San Jose, CA 95112

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Maricela Gutiérrez - Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network
http://siren.nationbuilder.com/

Donate to SIREN and give the gift of opportunity.
The opportunity to LEAD. DREAM. VOTE. 

ACTION ALERT: At SIREN, We Stand Up and Fight for Immigrants! // ALERTA DE ACCIÓN: En SIREN, Nos Levantamos y Luchamos Por Los Inmigrantes

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Contact: mediainquiries@siren-bayarea.org; (408) 453-3003

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN) Condemns Trump’s Proposed Rules Attacking Low-Income Immigrants 

Community members and allies urged to submit public comment

Today, the Trump Administration officially published its proposed rule to drastically limit the ability for immigrants to get a green card or change their visas, particularly those who are low-income or use various public benefits. The proposed rule would expand the definition of “public charge” to factor in use of various public benefits such as food and nutrition assistance, certain health care benefits, and housing and rental assistance. It would also expand factors that could weigh negatively in public charge determinations including being low-income, applying for an immigration application fee waiver, limited English proficient or having certain health conditions, among others. If approved, this could be heavily considered when denying an individual a green card. It is important to note that this rule has not yet gone into effect and immigrants who are currently eligible for those programs can continue to use them. The public has an opportunity to comment opposing these rules until December 10.

The following is a statement from Maricela Gutiérrez, Executive Director of Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN):

“It is unconscionable that the Trump Administration is proposing to punish low-income immigrant communities by essentially forcing them to choose between getting support with health care, food, and housing and getting a green card. Getting help to simply survive should not be a factor in whether someone can get permanent residency. It is important for the community to know that this rule is not yet adopted or in effect. Right now, we have the opportunity to fight it. We urge immigrant community members, organizations, businesses, elected officials, and allies to submit public comment by December 10 opposing this proposed rule.”

Individuals can sign up to submit their own public comment and will receive sample messages and resources. Help support our efforts to reach as many community members as possible so they can submit their comment opposing this rule by making a donation to SIREN today.

#ProtectFamilies #ProtectLowIncomeImmigrants

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Para publicación inmediata: miércoles 10 de octubre de 2018

Contacto: mediainquiries@siren-bayarea.org; (408) 453-3003

La Red de Servicios, Derechos de los Inmigrantes y Educación (SIREN) condena las reglas propuestas de Trump que atacan a los inmigrantes de bajos ingresos

Miembros de la comunidad y aliados instados a presentar comentarios públicos

Hoy, la Administración de Trump publicó oficialmente su regla propuesta para limitar drásticamente la capacidad de los inmigrantes para obtener una tarjeta verde o cambiar sus visas, en particular aquellos que tienen bajos ingresos o usan diversos beneficios públicos. La norma propuesta ampliaría la definición de "cargo público" para tener en cuenta el uso de diversos beneficios públicos, como asistencia alimentaria y nutricional, ciertos beneficios de atención médica y asistencia para vivienda y alquiler. También expandiría los factores que podrían influir negativamente en las determinaciones de cargos públicos, entre los que se incluyen bajos ingresos, un dominio limitado del inglés o ciertas condiciones de salud, entre otras. Si se aprueba, esto podría considerarse seriamente cuando se deniega a una persona una tarjeta verde. Es importante tener en cuenta que esta regla aún no ha entrado en vigencia y los inmigrantes que actualmente son elegibles para esos programas pueden continuar usándolos. El público tiene la oportunidad de comentar oponiéndose a estas reglas hasta el 10 de diciembre.

La siguiente es una declaración de Maricela Gutiérrez, Directora Ejecutiva de Servicios, Derechos de Inmigrantes y Red de Educación (SIREN):

“Es inconcebible que la Administración Trump esté proponiendo castigar a las comunidades de inmigrantes de bajos ingresos esencialmente forzándolos a elegir entre recibir apoyo con atención médica, comida y vivienda, y obtener una tarjeta verde. Obtener ayuda para simplemente sobrevivir no debe ser un factor para que alguien pueda obtener la residencia permanente. Es importante que la comunidad sepa que esta regla aún no se ha adoptado o está vigente. En este momento, tenemos la oportunidad de luchar contra él. Instamos a los miembros de la comunidad inmigrante, organizaciones, empresas, funcionarios electos y aliados a enviar comentarios públicos antes del 10 de diciembre que se opongan a esta regla propuesta."

Las personas pueden registrarse para enviar sus propios comentarios públicos y recibirán mensajes y recursos de muestra.Ayude a apoyar nuestros esfuerzos para llegar a la mayor cantidad posible de miembros de la comunidad para que puedan enviar sus comentarios en contra de esta regla al hacer una donación a SIREN hoy.

#ProtectFamilies #ProtectLowIncomeImmigrants

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Donate to SIREN and give the gift of opportunity.
The opportunity to LEAD. DREAM. VOTE. 

Donate here:

https://siren.nationbuilder.com/donate



Maricela Gutierrez - Executive Director 
Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network
http://siren.nationbuilder.com/

SIREN Condemns Trump Proposal on Public Charge // SIREN Condena La Propuesta de Trump Sobre Carga Pública

For Immediate Release: Monday, September 24, 2018

Contact: mediainquiries@siren-bayarea.org; (408) 453-3003

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN) Condemns Trump Proposal on Public Charge and Prepares to Submit Public Comment 

Over the weekend, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its proposal to drastically limit the ability for low-income immigrants to get a green card. The new proposed rule would expand the definition of “public charge” to include non-cash public benefits for food and nutrition assistance, certain health care benefits, and housing and rental assistance. The use of these benefits moving forward could be heavily factored into denying an individual a green card. It is important to note that this rule has not yet gone into effect and immigrants who are currently eligible for those programs can continue to use them. It would not apply to certain categories of individuals, including refugees, asylees, and survivors of domestic violence, seeking a green card.

The following is a statement from Maricela Gutiérrez, Executive Director of Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN):

“The expansion of public charge is clearly designed to punish communities of color who rely upon these safety net resources to survive. If this rule were adopted, working class immigrants and their families could be denied the opportunity to get a green card simply because they need to put food on their table, a roof over their head, or get life-saving health care. Health, food, and housing are basic human rights and no one needs to choose between these basic needs and being reunited with their family. This proposed rule is yet another attack on immigrants and their families orchestrated by Trump and the xenophobic forces within his Administration. This rule is not yet in effect and we have the opportunity to fight it - which is exactly what SIREN will be doing to ensure that everyone has a chance to get a green card, regardless of where they come from or how much money they make.”

After the final proposed rule is released, SIREN will join partners across the country urging community members and allies to submit public comment demanding that the definition of public charge not be expanded.

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Para publicación inmediata: lunes, 24 de septiembre de 2018

Contacto: mediainquiries@siren-bayarea.org; (408) 453-3003

Servicios, Red de Derechos de Inmigrantes y Educación (SIREN) Condena La Propuesta de Trump Sobre Carga Pública y Se Prepara Para Enviar Comentarios Públicos

Durante el fin de semana, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) anunció su propuesta de limitar drásticamente la capacidad de los inmigrantes de bajos ingresos para obtener una tarjeta verde. La nueva regla propuesta ampliaría la definición de "carga pública" para incluir beneficios públicos no monetarios para asistencia alimentaria y nutricional, ciertos beneficios de atención médica y asistencia para vivienda y alquiler. El uso de estos beneficios en el futuro podría ser un factor importante para negarle a un individuo una tarjeta verde. Es importante tener en cuenta que esta regla aún no ha entrado en vigencia y los inmigrantes que actualmente son elegibles para esos programas pueden continuar usándolos. No se aplicaría a ciertas categorías de personas, incluidos los refugiados, los asilados y los sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica, que buscan una tarjeta verde.

La siguiente es una declaración de Maricela Gutiérrez, Directora Ejecutiva de Servicios, Derechos de Inmigrantes y Red de Educación (SIREN):

"La expansión de la carga pública está claramente diseñada para castigar a las comunidades de color que dependen de estos recursos de la red de seguridad para sobrevivir. Si se adopta esta regla, a los inmigrantes de la clase trabajadora y sus familias se les podría negar la oportunidad de obtener una tarjeta verde simplemente porque necesitan poner comida en su mesa, un techo sobre su cabeza o recibir atención médica que salve vidas. La salud, los alimentos y la vivienda son derechos humanos básicos y nadie tiene que elegir entre estas necesidades básicas y reunirse con su familia. Esta regla propuesta es otro ataque a los inmigrantes y sus familias orquestado por Trump y las fuerzas xenófobas dentro de su administración. Esta regla aún no está en vigencia y tenemos la oportunidad de luchar contra ella, que es exactamente lo que SIREN hará para garantizar que todos tengan la oportunidad de obtener una tarjeta verde, independientemente de dónde vengan o cuánto dinero ganen. "

Después de que se publique la regla final propuesta, SIREN se unirá a socios en todo el país para instar a los miembros de la comunidad y a sus aliados a enviar comentarios públicos exigiendo que no se amplíe la definición de carga pública.

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 Donate to SIREN and give the gift of opportunity.
The opportunity to LEAD. DREAM. VOTE. 

SIREN Statement Condemns Trump Administration on Failure to Meet Deadline to Reunite Families

SIREN Condemns the Trump Administration for Failing to Meet Family Reunification Deadline

Failure to meet the deadline has have left over a thousand children waiting to be reunited

Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) condemns the Trump administration today for not meeting the court-ordered deadline to reunite migrant children separated from their parents by July 26, 2018.

“This administration’s sole intent with these atrocious policies is to harm immigrant families,” said SIREN Executive Director,  Maricela Gutiérrez. “There are still over a thousand children still in agony and waiting to be reunited.”

As of earlier this week, over 1,500 families had been potentially cleared for reunification but have not been reunited. The administration reported that they have reunited just 34% of children separated from their families.

“This is another link in the chain in Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda,” said Gutiérrez. “These policies of separating immigrant children are bigoted and promote hatred. We won’t stand for this.”

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SIREN’s mission is to empower low-income immigrants and refugees through community education and organizing, leadership development, policy advocacy, civic engagement  and legal services. We believe that all people regardless of legal status or nationality are entitled to essential services, human dignity, basic rights and protections, and access to full participation in society.

Maricela Gutiérrez - Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network
http://siren.nationbuilder.com/

Donate to SIREN and give the gift of opportunity.
The opportunity to LEAD. DREAM. VOTE. 

 

Families Belong Together/ No Separen Familias

Dear Friends,

Our worst fears have become reality. We are witnessing one of the worst crimes on humanity as the Trump administration has created modern day concentration camps, and is inflicting life-long trauma on innocent children.  There is nothing more painful and devastating than to hear the sound of children crying because they have been snatched away from the arms of their parents. This is not the America we have known.

As allies we must all stand for what is right. Every human being deserves dignity and respect. Immigrants and refugees have enriched this nation with their idealism and hard work for centuries. We must respect their rights and cherish their contributions to America’s greatness.

We ask you to join us in supporting our legal defense work on behalf of immigrants in Northern and Central California. The need is tremendous, and we need your help.

Join SIREN in fighting for justice. Donate here today. #FamiliesBelongTogether #SIRENDemandsJustice

Sincerely,

Maricela Gutiérrez

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Queridos amigos, 

Nuestros peores temores se han convertido en realidad. Estamos presenciando uno de los peores crímenes en la humanidad ya que la administración Trump ha creado campos de concentración modernos y está causando un trauma de por vida a niños inocentes. No hay nada más doloroso y devastador que escuchar el llanto de niños inocentes porque han sido arrebatados de los brazos de sus padres. Este no es el país que hemos conocido. 

Como aliados de los inmigrantes, todos debemos defender lo que es justo y correcto. Todo ser humano merece dignidad y respeto. Los inmigrantes y refugiados han enriquecido a esta nación con su idealismo y dedicación a través de los siglos. Debemos respetar sus derechos y valorar sus contribuciones a la grandeza de este país. 

Le pedimos que apoye nuestro trabajo de defensa legal en nombre de los inmigrantes en el norte y centro de California. La necesidad es tremenda, y necesitamos su ayuda. 

Únete a SIREN en la lucha por la justicia. Done aquí hoy. #FamiliesBelongTogether #SIRENDemandsJustice 

Sinceramente, 

Maricela Gutiérrez