Gutiérrez: Immigrants hold the power with our vote

SIREN started the 2019 year in the immigrant and refugees rights movement with the federal government in a partial shutdown, where more than 800,000 federal workers were working without pay due to a failure between President Donald Trump and Congress to compromise over a useless and unnecessary border wall.

And on January 25, after 35 days of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a budget continuing resolution was passed to open the government for another three weeks — without funding for the border wall.

From the resistance by members of Congress who refused to give in to Trump’s border demands, a major theme rang true — immigrant voters helped put Congress in a position to resist this discriminatory and racist wall.

For the November 2018 midterm elections, we saw record voter turnout among immigrants on the regional, state, and national level. Though SIREN doesn’t engage voters on behalf of candidates, we heard the frustration from voters in those districts where incumbent members of Congress lost.

Our volunteers made more than 80,000 phone calls to Congressional Districts 10 and 21, who were represented by Rep. Jeff Denham and Rep. David Valadao, respectively, this past election. The number one concern voiced by immigrant voters was how Congress wasn’t doing enough for immigrants.

From not protecting immigrant youth by failing to pass a clean DREAM Act to not pushing back against Trump’s draconian immigration executive orders, immigrant voters shared their disapproval for their members of Congress and their empty promises. As a result, the two incumbents lost their congressional seats this past November, along with other incumbents across the state and country.

San Joaquin Valley’s elected officials must stand up for immigrants

San Joaquin Valley’s elected officials must stand up for immigrants

BY MARICELA GUTIÉRREZ 

SEPTEMBER 04, 2018 11:47 AM,

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 04, 2018 10:47 AM

Pro-ICE supporter Ben Bergquam, left, and Jaimie Loza, right, who spoke out for immigrant rights, have a heated exchange at the community rally outside the Hall of Records building, Tuesday Aug 8, 2018. The demonstration was held to protest recent arrests by ICE agents at the Fresno County Courthouse. JOHN WALKER FRESNO BEE FILE

Since mid-July, Immigration and Custom Enforcement officials have been making arrests at Fresno’s courthouses, violating people’s right to due process and continuing to stoke fear within the immigrant community. It’s no coincidence that Fresno County is home to one of the fiercest in-state critics of California’s sanctuary policies, Sheriff Margaret Mims, who has proudly announced that her deputies and ICE have a strong working relationship. Though she claims that she is complying with state laws, the experience of community members in the Valley proves that there continues to be tight entanglement between her office and ICE. In our daily interactions with the immigrant community, providing legal services and know your rights trainings, we have heard more and more stories about a growing fear of contacting local law enforcement because of legitimate concerns of potential deportation.

The Central Valley is being acutely impacted by Trump’s war on immigrants – so much so that my organization, the Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network is poised to open a new office in Fresno due to increased demand. I have witnessed the plight of immigrants in our community firsthand since I was young. I grew up in the Fresno area as the daughter of immigrant farmworkers, hearing the stories of abusive employers and seeing my family and neighbors racially profiled by police and targeted by ICE. Now, as the executive director of SIREN, an immigrant and refugee rights advocacy organization, I’ve been connecting with many people who have been swept up by ICE in their brutal campaign.

SIREN Condemns National Emergency Declaration on Border Wall // SIREN condena Declaración Nacional de Emergencia en El Muro Fronterizo

For Immediate Release: Friday, February 15, 2019

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

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN) Condemns National Emergency Declaration on Border Wall

Congress must be bold in fighting against Trump’s racist agenda

Today, Trump declared a national emergency to create a border wall. Despite members of Congress on both sides of the aisle caving into his demands for funding for immigration enforcement and detention yesterday, he continues to advance his white supremacist agenda to further militarize the border, dehumanize immigrants and refugees, and play up the politics of racism and fear. By making this emergency declaration, he is openly undermining Congress and will immediately face challenges in court.

The following is a statement from Maricela Gutiérrez, Executive Director of SIREN:

“The true emergencies are the rampant detention and deportation of immigrants, turning back of asylum-seekers, and the lives of DACA-recipients and TPS holders being in limbo since this Administration took office.  It is disturbing, yet not surprising, that Trump is willing to take unilateral and unconstitutional steps to get his racist wall - especially after Congress abandoned the immigrant community and shamefully handed him more money for detention beds, immigration agents, and border barriers yesterday. While we look forward to supporting efforts to challenge Trump’s declaration in court, it is imperative that our members of Congress show courage and remain accountable to their constituents by taking steps to reverse this dangerous declaration and completely defunding ICE and CBP. ”

Help support our efforts to #DefundHate and fight back against Trump’s attacks on immigrant and refugee communities by making a donation to SIREN today.

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La Red de Servicios, Derechos de los Inmigrantes y Educación (SIREN) condena Declaración Nacional de Emergencia en El Muro Fronterizo
El Congreso debe ser audaz en la lucha contra la agenda racista de Trump

Hoy, Trump hizo una declaración de emergencia nacional para crear un muro fronterizo. A pesar de que los miembros del Congreso a ambos lados del pasillo se hundieron en sus demandas de fondos para la aplicación de la ley de inmigración y la detención ayer, continúa avanzando en su agenda de supremacía blanca para militarizar aún más la frontera, deshumanizar a los inmigrantes y refugiados, y poner en práctica la política de racismo y temor. Al hacer esta declaración de emergencia, está socavando abiertamente al Congreso e inmediatamente enfrentará desafíos en la corte.

La siguiente es una declaración de Maricela Gutiérrez, Directora Ejecutiva de SIREN:

“Las verdaderas emergencias son la detención y deportación desenfrenada de inmigrantes, el rechazo de los solicitantes de asilo y las vidas de los beneficiarios de DACA y los titulares de TPS que están en el limbo desde que esta Administración asumió el cargo. Es preocupante, pero no sorprendente, que Trump esté dispuesto a tomar medidas unilaterales e inconstitucionales para obtener su muro racista, especialmente después de que el Congreso abandonó a la comunidad de inmigrantes y le entregó vergonzosamente más dinero para camas de detención, agentes de inmigración y barreras fronterizas ayer. Si bien esperamos apoyar los esfuerzos para desafiar la declaración de Trump en la corte, es imperativo que nuestros miembros del Congreso demuestren valor y sean responsables ante sus electores al tomar medidas para revertir esta peligrosa declaración y eliminar completamente el ICE y el CBP. ”

Apoye nuestros esfuerzos para #DefundirElOdio y luchar contra los ataques de Trump contra las comunidades de inmigrantes y refugiados haciendo una donación a SIREN hoy.

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SIREN is an immigrant rights organization based in Northern California and the Central Valley. Its 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. 

SIREN JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER // SIREN BOLETÍN DE ENERO 2019

Queridos Amigos,

El equipo de SIREN ha comenzado el año nuevo con nuestro compromiso y dedicación renovados a las comunidades a las que servimos. En este momento en que el presidente está presionando obsesivamente por un muro inútil, más que nunca, ¡debemos levantarnos y luchar por políticas respetuosas, humanas y que mantengan a las familias unidas! SIREN continuará luchando ferozmente por los inmigrantes y refugiados a través de nuestro trabajo en el empoderamiento de nuestros jóvenes y comunidades, los servicios legales, la defensa de políticas y el compromiso cívico.

A medida que comenzamos un nuevo capítulo emocionante, aquí hay un breve resumen de algunos de nuestros logros más orgullosos del 2018:

• Expansión de SIREN y apertura de nuestra oficina en el Valle Central para servir a las comunidades más necesitadas.

• Expansión de nuestro equipo legal que continúa luchando con éxito por nuestros clientes.

• Organización de innumerables acciones este año para promover DACA / Clean Dream Act, Abolish ICE, Carga Pública (Public Charge), Defund Hate y otros.

• Más de 1,000 voluntarios nuevos que hablan español, farsi y vietnamita reclutados, capacitados y movilizados para apoyar nuestro trabajo.

• Ofrecimos asistencia legal directa y representación a más de 5,000 personas.

• Más de 15,000 textos por medio de nuestra red SIREN para informar y educar sobre temas importantes.

• Dirigimos la capacitación y apoyamos a cientos de líderes juveniles, incluyendo 90 participantes del Instituto de Verano para la Liberación Juvenil.

• Más de 15,000 jóvenes y nuevos ciudadanos estadounidenses fueron registrados para votar.

• Más de 130,000 llamadas telefónicas para informar y activar a los votantes de baja propensión en el norte de California y Valle Central.

¡Les agradecemos por prestar su apoyo como voluntario, donante, patrocinador, aliado y amigo! Es gracias a ustedes que podemos continuar expandiendo nuestro trabajo e impacto cada año. Los invitamos a continuar apoyando nuestra valiosa misión hoy.

Con amor y justicia,

Maricela Gutiérrez

Dear Friends,

The SIREN team has begun the New Year with a renewed commitment and dedication to the many communities that we serve. At a time when the present administration is obsessively pushing for a useless wall, more than ever, we must rise up and fight for policies that are respectful, humane, and keep families together! SIREN will continue to fight fiercely for immigrants and refugees through our legal services, policy advocacy, civic engagement and through our community organizing with our multiracial and intergenerational leaders at the forefront.

As we begin an exciting new chapter, here is a brief recap of some of our proudest accomplishments in 2018:

• SIREN expanded and opened an office in the Central Valley Office to serve communities in most need.

• Expanded our legal team that continues to successfully fight for our clients.

• Mobilized countless of directly impacted community members to take action and advocate for a Clean Dream Act, Abolish ICE, Public Charge, Defund Hate and more.

• Over 1,000 new Spanish, Farsi and Vietnamese speaking volunteers recruited, trained, and mobilized to support our work.

• Provided direct legal assistance and representation to over 5,000 individuals.

• Over 15,000 texts sent to our SIREN network to inform and educate on important issues.

• Led trainings to support hundreds of youth leaders, including 90 Youth Liberation Summer Institute participants.

• Over 15,000 youth and new American citizens registered to vote.

• Over 130,000 phone contacts made to inform and activate low propensity voters in Northern California and the Central Valley.

We thank you for lending your support as a volunteer, donor, sponsor, ally, and friend! It is because of your contributions that we can continue to expand our work and impact every year. We invite you to continue to support our valuable mission today.

With love and justice,

Maricela Gutiérrez

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LANZAMIENTO DE CLÍNICAS DE DEFENSA DE DEPORTACIÓN EN EL VALLE CENTRAL

En 2018, celebramos la apertura de nuestra oficina del Valle Central y la comunidad nos acogió con entusiasmo. Hoy, estamos orgullosos de anunciar el lanzamiento de nuestras Clínicas de Defensa de Deportación, que brindarán asesoría legal gratuita a personas necesitadas en todo el Valle Central todos los martes de 9:00am a 4:00pm y talleres, Conozca sus Derechos, cada martes a las 10:00am.

“SIREN se complace en ser el primero en brindar este tipo de servicio en el Valle Central. Nuestra comunidad ha estado desatendida durante demasiado tiempo. Es a través de nuestro sistema legal que podemos tener un impacto profundo en la vida de muchas personas y tenemos un equipo legal fenomenal que está liderando el camino," dijo Maricela Gutiérrez, Directora Ejecutiva de SIREN.

Además de las Clínicas de Defensa de Deportación semanales, SIREN continuará ofreciendo un taller mensual de asilo el cuarto sábado del mes de 10:00am a 2:00pm.

“Es extremadamente importante que las personas entiendan sus derechos y que obtengan asesoría legal de expertos legales calificados. SIREN está aquí para responder a sus preguntas y brindar orientación a cualquier persona que lo necesite," dijo el abogado Jesús Martínez.

Para obtener más información, envíenos un correo electrónico a centralvalley@siren-bayarea.org.

LAUNCH OF FREE REMOVAL DEFENSE CLINICS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY

In 2018, we celebrated the opening of our Central Valley office and were warmly embraced by the community. Today, we are proud to announce the launch of our Removal Defense Clinics, which will provide free legal counsel to people in need throughout the Central Valley the clinics will take place every Tuesday from 9:00am to 4:00pm and and Know Your Rights workshops every Tuesday at 10:00am.

“SIREN is excited to be the first to provide these types of services in the Central Valley. Our community has been underserved for far too long. It is through our legal system and community lawyering that we can make a profound impact on people’s lives and we have an phenomenal legal team that is leading the way,” said Maricela Gutiérrez, SIREN’s Executive Director.

In addition to the weekly Removal Defense Clinics, SIREN will continue to offer our Free monthly Asylum Legal Clinics on the fourth Saturday of the month from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

“It is tremendously important that people understand their rights and that they obtain legal advice from qualified legal experts. SIREN is here to answer questions and provide guidance to anyone in need,” said Staff Attorney Jesus Martínez.

For more information, email us at centralvalley@siren-bayarea.org.

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DEMOS LA BIENVENIDA A CINDY HER 

Únase a nosotros para dar la bienvenida a nuestra nueva colega en el Valle Central, Cindy Her. Nació y se crió en Fresno, es la menor de 8 hermanos y la tercera en ir a la universidad en su familia. Actualmente es estudiante de segundo año en la Universidad Estatal de Fresno con especialización en desarrollo infantil y minoría en Hmong. Su objetivo es convertirse en maestra y defensora de la comunidad Hmong.

“Trabajar con SIREN me ha ayudado a comprender lo poco que sabe la comunidad sobre sus derechos constitucionales. Al crecer en una comunidad donde somos una minoría, quiero ayudar a mi comunidad con todo lo que pueda a través de SIREN. Estoy extremadamente emocionada y honrada de ser parte del equipo de SIREN," dijo Cindy.

WELCOME TO FELLOW CINDY HER  

Join us in welcoming our new Fellow for the Central Valley, Cindy Her. She was born and raised in Fresno, is the youngest of 8, and the third to go to college in her family. She is currently a sophomore at Fresno State University majoring in child development and minoring in Hmong. Her goal is to become a teacher and an advocate for the Hmong community.

“Working with SIREN has helped open my eyes to so much about how little the community knows about their constitutional rights. Growing up in a community where we are the minority, I want to help my community with all that I can through SIREN. I am extremely excited and honored to be a part of the SIREN team!,” said Cindy.

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AYUDE A UN PADRE INMIGRANTE EN DETENCIÓN

Estamos recolectando donaciones para apoyar a un padre inmigrante detenido en el Centro de Detención de Adelanto. Les agradeceremos mucho su apoyo. ¡Done aquí!

Preguntas? info@sirenbayarea.org

HELP AN IMMIGRANT FAMILY IN NEED

We are collecting donations to support a loving immigrant father detained at Adelanto Detention Center. All donations are welcome. Donate here!

Questions? Email info@sirenbayarea.org

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HELP AN IMMIGRANT YOUNG MAN IN DETENTION

We are collecting donations to support a young man who is being detained at Mesa Verde Detention Center. He suffers from mental health issues and is in need of medical care. He needs the community's support! Donate here!

Questions? Email info@sirenbayarea.org

AYUDE A UN HOMBRE JOVEN INMIGRANTE EN DETENCIÓN

Estamos recolectando donaciones para apoyar a un joven que está detenido en el Centro de Detención Mesa Verde. Sufre de problemas de salud mental y necesita atención médica. ¡Necesita el apoyo de la comunidad! ¡Done aquí!

Preguntas? info@sirenbayarea.org

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ENTRENAMIENTO DE ESPECTADOR

En colaboración con nuestros socios CAIR SF, acompáñenos en aprender cómo puede ser un espectador efectivo y apoyar a alguien que es víctima de acoso o discriminación. ¡Informase como puede participar en las campañas del 2019 de SIREN! 

¡Reserva su lugar hoy!

BYSTANDER TRAINING 

In collaboration with our partners CAIR SF, come learn how you can be an effective bystander and support someone who is the victim of bullying and/or discrimination. Learn about SIREN's 2019 campaigns and how you can get involved! 

RSVP today!

ÚNETE AL MOVIMIENTO

Terminamos el 2018 con un nivel alto de participación de votantes en una elección en nuestra región y estado. Esto fue posible gracias a nuestros extraordinarios voluntarios que ayudaron a registrar a 15,000 nuevos votantes inmigrantes y jóvenes y que hicieron más de 130,000 llamadas telefónicas el noviembre pasado.

En el 2019, ya nos hemos subido las mangas y estamos en marcha. Hemos visto el cierre de gobierno más prolongado en la historia de los Estados Unidos por un muro fronterizo cruel e innecesario.

Vimos a nuestro nuevo gobernador en California proponer más de $260 millones en fondos para la expansión de Medi-Cal para jóvenes indocumentados en nuestro estado. Sin embargo, tenemos que seguir luchando para asegurarnos de que TODOS los californianos indocumentados estén cubiertos.

Estamos preparando y educando a nuestras comunidades sobre la importancia del Censo de 2020 y cómo llenar el formulario cuando esté disponible.

Hay mucho trabajo por hacer y no podemos hacerlo sin los miembros de SIREN. ¡Es por eso que esta semana estamos lanzando nuestra iniciativa para incrementar la membresía de SIREN! Por $25 para todo el año usted puede:

• Asistir a nuestra conferencia anual para miembros de SIREN

• Participar en la membresía SIREN y entrenamientos para voluntarios

• Votar para respaldar las políticas y propuestas de votación en las elecciones

• Participar en visitas legislativas con funcionarios electos claves y líderes de nivel alto

• Asistir a eventos culturales y artísticos

¡El momento es ahora! Continuemos con el gran impulso que iniciamos en el 2018 para crear un estado receptivo y una región cálida para los inmigrantes.
 

Puede registrarse para convertirse en miembro de SIREN haciendo clic aquí.

¡Gracias y sigamos construyendo juntos!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

We ended 2018 with one of the highest voter turnouts in an election in our region and state, thanks to our remarkable volunteers helping to register 15,000 new immigrant and youth voters and making over 130,000 phone calls last November.

Already in 2019, we have rolled up our sleeves and got straight to work. We have seen the longest government shutdown in U.S. history over a cruel and unnecessary border wall.

We saw our new governor in California propose over $260 million in funding for Medi-Cal expansion for undocumented youth in our state, but we need to continue to fight to ensure that ALL undocumented Californians are covered.

And we are preparing and educating our communities on the importance of the 2020 U.S. Census and how to fill out the form when it is available.

There is so much work to be done, and we can’t do it without our SIREN members. That is why this week we are launching our SIREN Membership Drive for 2019! For $25 for the entire year you can:

• Attend our annual membership conference

• Participate in SIREN membership and volunteer trainings

• Vote to endorse policies and ballot propositions in elections

• Participate in legislative visits with key elected officials and decision makers

• Attend cultural and art events

The moment is now! Let’s continue the great momentum we started in 2018 to create a more welcoming state and region for immigrants. You can sign up to become a SIREN member by clicking here.

Thank you, and let’s continue to build together!

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CALENDARIO DE EVENTOS

Visite el calendario de clínicas legales de SIREN haciendo clic aquí.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Visit SIREN's legal clinics calendar by clicking here.

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OPORTUNIDADES DE TRABAJO

Mire nuestras últimas ofertas de trabajo aquí.

SIREN Condemns Trump’s Threat to Declare National Emergency // SIREN Condena la Amenaza de Trump de Declarar una Emergencia Nacional

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 8, 2018

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

Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN) Condemns Trump’s Threat to Declare National Emergency Trump has manufactured the border crisis and Congress must oppose funding for DHS

Today, Trump is expected to make a potential declaration of a national emergency at the border. In an attempt to circumvent Congress and as a result of the federal government shutdown that he created, Trump is attempting to force the creation of a border wall. By making such an emergency declaration, Trump would be undermining Congress and walking on very questionable legal ground.

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

“The only crisis that exists at the border is the unconscionable detention, abuses, and deaths of individuals arriving at the border. Trump and his administration are responsible for the atrocities against asylum-seekers and immigrants coming to this country denying them of basic rights and human dignity. He is also responsible for the current federal government shutdown which he is using as justification for the racist wall and declaration of a national emergency. By separating children from their families and denying legal avenues to apply for asylum, the Trump administration created a humanitarian crisis at the border. Our country should be welcoming those coming to the border - not falsely declaring a national emergency to build a wall.”

Individuals can call their members of Congress and Congressional leadership urging them to oppose any increased funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Help support our efforts to #DefundHate and fight back against Trump’s attacks on immigrant and refugee communities by making a donationto SIREN today.

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La Red de Servicios, Derechos de los Inmigrantes y Educación (SIREN) condena la amenaza de Trump de declarar una emergencia nacional
Trump ha fabricado la crisis fronteriza y el Congreso debe oponerse a los fondos para el DHS

Hoy, se espera que Trump haga una declaración potencial de una emergencia nacional en la frontera. En un intento por eludir el Congreso y como resultado del cierre del gobierno federal que él creó, Trump intenta forzar la creación de un muro fronterizo. Al hacer tal declaración de emergencia, Trump estaría socavando al Congreso y caminando sobre un terreno legal muy cuestionable.

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

“La única crisis que existe en la frontera es la detención desmedida, los abusos y las muertes de personas que llegan a la frontera. Trump y su administración son responsables por las atrocidades contra los solicitantes de asilo y los inmigrantes que llegan a este país y les niegan los derechos básicos y la dignidad humana. También es responsable del actual cierre del gobierno federal que está utilizando como justificación para el muro racista y la declaración de una emergencia nacional. Al separar a los niños de sus familias y negar las vías legales para solicitar asilo, el gobierno de Trump creó una crisis humanitaria en la frontera. "Nuestro país debería dar la bienvenida a los que vienen a la frontera, no declarar falsamente una emergencia nacional para construir un muro".

Las personas pueden llamar a sus miembros del Congreso y al liderazgo del Congreso para pedirles que se opongan a cualquier aumento de fondos para el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional. Ayude a apoyar nuestros esfuerzos para #DefundirElOdio y luchar contra los ataques de Trump contra las comunidades inmigrantes y refugiados haciendo una donación a SIREN hoy.

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SIREN is an immigrant rights organization based in Northern California and the Central Valley. Its 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. 

Building the Power of Immigrants and Youth of Color

Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN) - Bay Area has spent the last several years building the political power of immigrant and youth voters with the aim of shifting the political landscape in the region and across the state. In 2018, we doubled down on our commitment to building this political muscle by registering more than fifteen thousand new immigrant and youth voters, contacting a hundred and sixty thousand already-registered voters, and mobilizing more than two hundred volunteers. In the 2018 midterm elections, our efforts helped generate one of the highest turnouts in state history for a midterm and resulted in the passage of critical local and state ballot measures, as well as the defeat of House members opposed to immigrant rights. 

One of SIREN's youth leaders, Miguel, participated in phone banking and door-to-door canvassing of Spanish-speaking voters. Although Miguel and his family cannot vote because of their immigration status, the day after the election he told us: "The community was my voice at the polls yesterday. Immigrants and youth came out and demonstrated our power in Northern California and the Central Valley. Through our voting power, we are passing policies in our state and region that are impacting our families, and we will carry our momentum into 2019 to fight for immigrant rights and protections for immigrant youth."

While SIREN doesn't engage voters on behalf of specific candidates, we heard the mounting frustration from voters over the lack of action on immigrants' rights. Our volunteers made more than eighty thousand phone calls to voters in House Districts 10 and 21, which are represented by Rep. Jeff Denham (R) and Rep. David Valadao (R), and the number-one issue immigrant voters wanted to talk about was the fact that Congress wasn't doing enough for immigrants. From not passing a clean DREAM Act to not pushing back against President Trump's executive orders restricting immigration, immigrant voters shared their disapproval of the empty promises of their congressional representatives. Not surprisingly, Dunham and Valadao both lost.

As we head into 2019, we have our work cut out for us. In 2018, SIREN opened an office in Fresno and established our immigration legal services, community organizing, policy advocacy, and voter engagement with Central Valley immigrant and youth voters. We know we have the political power and leverage to move Congress on issues like a clean DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. And through our base-building work, we've built an infrastructure for and secured the trust of the community to lead outreach efforts focused on the 2020 census. It's critical that we overcome the many challenges and barriers to an accurate count and ensure that immigrant communities receive their fair share of funding. 

Beyond the census, we have momentum and the capacity heading into the 2020 elections to have an even greater impact. When we launched our campaign a few years ago, immigrant community leaders dubbed it "Votar Para Ganar" (Vote to Win), because that is our goal. With  2019 approaching, we are gearing up to win even bigger victories for immigrant and refugee communities in the state and to create a more welcoming California for years to come.

Maricela Gutiérrez is the executive director of Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN), a nonprofit organization serving Northern and Central California that has worked on immigrant and refugee rights issues for more than thirty years. She was born and raised in the Central Valley. 

APOYANDO LAS VICTIMAS DE VIOLENCIA DOMESTICA// SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Queridos Amigos,

SIREN está salvando vidas gracias al generoso apoyo de nuestro personal, voluntarios, donantes y amigos.

Susana es una mujer guatemalteca de 25 años que huyó porque fue víctima de abusos graves a manos de su ex pareja. Susana no tenía un sistema de apoyo, ya que quedó huérfana a una edad temprana, y había perdido a su hermano que la cuidaba cuando él tenía solo 17 años. Susana estaba completamente sola, ya que los miembros de la familia que quedaban le dieron la espalda. Eventualmente, su ex pareja, que era su único apoyo, se volvió extremadamente violento y abusivo hacia ella. Una de las peores golpizas que recibió resultó en la pérdida de su bebé que llevaba en su vientre, y ella apenas sobrevivió a sus heridas. Tratando de escapar de su ex pareja, fue a las autoridades guatemaltecas y también se mudó muy lejos. Sin embargo, nada detendría su incesante hostigamiento, ya que siempre la encontraba. Fue entonces cuando decidió que tenía que huir a los Estados Unidos.

Afortunadamente, como resultado de la ayuda del equipo legal de SIREN y de los voluntarios que también brindaron su apoyo, Susana pudo ganar asilo para ella y su hija de 6 años este noviembre pasado. ¡Finalmente esta libre y segura con su hija!

Este es el tipo de trabajo que hacemos para salvar vidas que les pedimos que apoyen hoy con una donación de cualquier tamaño.Mujeres como Susana merecen una segunda oportunidad. ¡Juntos, con su apoyo, podemos transformar vidas!
 

Con amor y justicia,

Maricela Gutiérrez

Directora Ejecutiva

Dear Friends,

SIREN is saving lives thanks to the generous support of our staff, volunteers, donors and friends.

Susana is a 25 year old Guatemalan woman who fled her country because she was the victim of severe abuse at the hands of her ex-partner. Susana had no support system, as she was orphaned at a young age, and had lost her brother and caregiver when he was only 17 years of age. Susana was completely alone, as her remaining family members turned their back on her. Eventually, her ex-partner who was her only support became extremely violent and abusive towards her. One of the worst beatings she received resulted in the loss of her unborn child, and her barely surviving her injuries. Trying to escape from her ex-partner, she went to the Guatemalan authorities and also moved far away. However, nothing would stop his incessant harassment no matter where she went. This is when she decided she had to flee to the US.

Thankfully, as a result of the help of the SIREN legal team and volunteers who also lent their support, Susana was able to win asylum for herself and her 6 year old daughter this past November. She is finally free and safe with her daughter!

This is the kind of life-saving work that we ask you to support today with a donation of any size. Women like Susana deserve a second chance. Together, with your support, we can transform lives!

With love and justice,

Maricela Gutiérrez,

Executive Director