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Wisconsin Debates Drivers Licenses for the Undocumented

23 Jun 2009

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When you think of progressive policies around the treatment of undocumented immigrants, you might think of cities like San Francisco. You wouldn’t necessarily think of America’s heartland, but that’s just where an important issue is being raised and rallied for. A plan included in the Wisconsin state budget this month which would allow for undocumented immigrants to be able to obtain drivers licenses (actually referred to as “drivers license certificates”) is currently being debated in the state legislature.

A coalition of dairy farmers, police and Latino advocates are making a final push to convince lawmakers to create a new driver’s card for illegal immigrants.

The advocates held a press conference Monday at the Capitol to push for the cards they saw lowers insurance rates and will improve the safety of Wisconsin roads.

They also say in difficult economic times, it would bring in over a million dollars to the state budget and help farmers get workers to the farms.

The Assembly passed the measure as part of a budget bill, but the Senate has rejected it.

The two sides will try to reconcile the bill this week.

Proponents say that the bill would make roads safer, as those without licenses are driving anyway, and a driving certificate will help ensure they adhere to traffic laws. On the other side, opponents counter that this will send a message to undocumented people that “it’s OK to break the law”.

Currently, only one state allows undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses: Utah.

Via / WSAW and Channel 3000

Oklahoma Tries to go English Only

12:34 pm By Maegan La Mala · Bilingualism|Immigration|language|midwest · 3 Comments

15 Jan 2009

While so much of the U.S. is focusing on the change that a new presidential administration is supposed to bring, Oklahoma lawmakers are trying something old and tired: to pass English only legislation.

Three members of the Oklahoma House and a state senator said Wednesday they will attempt to send a proposed constitutional amendment to Oklahoma voters that would make English the state’s official language.

They say it would save taxpayer money by not requiring the state to print documents, such as driver’s license tests, in foreign languages. They also say it would help legal immigrants assimilate into American society.

That’s right. They are actually trying to help immigrants, only the legal ones.

Gracias Oklahoma.

Via / Hispanic Tips, KJRH

The Latina “Minuteman”?

11:51 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Controversia|Immigration|midwest · 7 Comments

13 Feb 2007

When you think of the Minutemen, what comes to mind? Perhaps a truck full of white guys with binoculars hanging out at the border, and not a Latina from the Midwest:

Rosanna Pulido is proud of her Mexican heritage. So proud that she has committed herself to championing the rights of Mexicans and other immigrants who, like her own parents, came to this country to live the American dream. Legally, that is.

Pulido actively fights illegal immigration — she founded the Illinois Minuteman Project, a civilian group that works against illegal immigration, in 2005 — and believes illegal immigrants dilute opportunities for those who arrive legally. For that, she has been painted a traitor to her own people, bombarded with nasty e-mail and threatened with bodily harm.

Rallies in Chicago, minute by minute

1:16 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Activism|Immigration|midwest · Comments Off

1 May 2006

The Chicago Tribune is following the immigrant rights events in Chicago in detail, with a blow-by-blow account that is continuously updated ont their website. Here’s a sample, then follow the entire coverage as the day progresses.

11:54 a.m. The march is underway from Union Park at a slow stroll with several high-ranking Chicago police officials nearby. Cheering crowds are lining Randolph Street at Elizabeth Street, many chanting, “Si se puede” (it can be done), and “USA.” Also, some marchers can be heard chanting in Spanish, “When we pay our lights, pay our gas, when we buy…We pay taxes.”

11:15 a.m.: The Wicker Park feeder march headed south on Ashland Avenue with a sound system blaring the late ’70s anthem “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” and the song “Walk This Way.”

The crowd, having swollen to more than 1,000, displayed multiple flags from the Palestinian Authority, the Philippines, Poland as well as the multicolored banner of gay pride.

But the U.S. flag dominated. Amber Javed, 23, of Chicago, carried a sign in Urdu that translated: “We are America.”

“It’s going to be a beautiful day,” said Javed, an immigrant from Pakistan.

You can also participate in the Tribune’s online forum which asks the question “Do rallies help?”

Via / Chicago Tribune

Photo via Reuters

“Pegaditas” offensive or just status quo?

4:30 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Marketing|midwest|society · 1 Comment

6 Feb 2006

Chicago Latina women are up in arms about a billboard campaign that was recently launched by Spanish-language radio station La Ley showing images of several women’s bums and the words “25 pegaditas”. The controversy has gone from grass roots quejas to mainstream media in no time:

…the ad shows an image of a woman, duplicated several times, photographed from behind and wearing skin-tight shorts. Her splayed hands pressed against her butt further accentuate her derriere.

The ad promotes the Spanish radio station “La Ley” WLEY 107.9 and a contest called “25 Pegaditas.” Listeners naming 25 songs in a row could receive a chance to win money.

In Spanish, “pegaditas” loosely translates to “little ones strung together.” But, according to the young women, “pegaditas” is also a play on the word “pegar,” which translates to “hits.” That’s “hits” as in popular songs. Or in the context of the ad, that’s “hits” as in smacks on the behind.

Latino immigrants ripped off by bank

1:05 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Immigration|midwest|Money · Comments Off

8 Dec 2005

The story is from the Chicago area. It’s hard to believe in this day and age stuff like this still happens:

A growing list of customers of U.S. Bank in Highwood, most of them Mexican immigrants who speak little English, say their savings and other accounts are missing or have been depleted without their permission…

“It’s sad,” Garrett said. “Many of these residents don’t trust anybody. They feel they might be deported.”

The allegations come as banks have been trying to build trust among immigrant populations, which the industry sees as an untapped customer base, experts say.

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