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The VivirLatino Response to the SOTU

1:37 pm By Maegan La Mala · DREAM Act|Education|Immigration|Obama|Politics · 6 Comments

26 Jan 2011

Despite not having any special beverages to get me through last night’s live-tweet of the State of the Union address, it was fun engaging with some of our followers, friends and fans. But now that morning after feeling sets in and we look back at what was really said and if it really matters in terms of policy.

What many in the Latino blogosphere were interested in was if President Obama would address issues like immigration and link that to the bigger issues of jobs and the economy, because yes, they do go together. To the surprise of many, Obama did mention immigration, specifically referring to the DREAM Act and then reverting to the usual enforcement first language we have come to expect from the right and we have seen in practice from the current administration. Overall, the SOTU though was an “America is Number 1″ pep rally and in the worse, most predictable, contradictory way.
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Obama : My Biggest Disappointment Was This DREAM Act Vote

6:54 pm By Maegan La Mala · DREAM Act|Immigration|Obama|Politics · 5 Comments

22 Dec 2010

That’s what Obama said in a press conference earlier today when pressed as to how he was going to push for comprehensive immigration reform with a GOP led Congress if he couldn’t do it when the Dems were in power.

Obama clearly has down the talking points behind the DREAM Act but he also has the border security first language that allows for the justification of deportations and detentions.

See the video below:

Political Football from the White House on DREAM?

1:28 pm By Maegan La Mala · DREAM Act|Immigration|Obama|Politics · 7 Comments

6 Dec 2010

Yesterday, Cecilia Muñoz, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House, represented for the Obama administration on Univision’s Al Punto, with Jorge Ramos. On the program, she assured, in Spanish, that Obama and his people were doing everything they could on behalf of the DREAM Act, including phone calls. She also took issue with Rep. Gutierrez (and others) saying that Comprehensive immigration reform was dead. From the perspective of the White House, the issue of CIR is “when not if”. Not surprisingly, Muñoz placed the blame on a lack of movement on CIR and the possible failure of the DREAM Act squarely on the shoulders of the Republicans. Reports , however, call into question the sincerity of Obama and his administration on moving the DREAM Act and on fixing the immigration system overall.

Politico highlights statements made on CNN’s “State of the Union by Republican Senator Richard Lugar (Ind.) that indicate that Obama is using DREAM, and other legislation as a negotiating pawn.

Lugar said the White House and Republicans are trying to craft a deal that would lead to three major items being considered by the Senate before it leaves town for the holidays: tax cut extensions, a continuing resolution to fund the government, and START.

How much of this is actually true is unclear and this could just be an attempt by the GOP to deflect all the blame being placed on them back onto the Dems. Much of what happens next from negotiations between the GOP and the White House is going to be wait and see. What we do know is that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to file cloture on the DREAM Act today.

Obama Wants DREAM Act Passed Before Congress Adjourns

9:40 am By Maegan La Mala · DREAM Act|Immigration|Obama|Politics · 3 Comments

17 Nov 2010

Yesterday’s meeting between President Obama and the leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez of New York, and U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, resulted in all agreeing to push for passing the DREAM Act before this Congress adjourns.

From the Official White House Readout :

The President reiterated his support for fixing the broken immigration system and urged the CHC leaders to work to restore the bipartisan coalition backing comprehensive immigration reform. The President repeated his hope that, with the election season’s pressures past, Congressional Republicans would work with their Democratic colleagues not only to strengthen security at the nation’s borders, but also to restore responsibility and accountability to what everyone agrees is a broken immigration system. The President reiterated his strong support for bipartisan Congressional action on immigration reform at the earliest opportunity, noting that the American people expect both parties to work together to tackle the challenges confronting our nation.

It is clear that both Obama and at least Rep. Gutierrez wanted Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) before DREAM Act, but without a viable proposal on the table, the DREAM Act is being viewed as a “down-payment” on CIR. What remains to be seen is if the DREAM Act is indeed brought to a vote, if it will be attached to a defense bill, as it was most recently, attached to another bill, or presented on it’s own.

Lawmakers to Meet with Obama on Immigration Today

1:13 pm By Maegan La Mala · DREAM Act|Immigration|Obama|Politics · 2 Comments

16 Nov 2010

According to various news sources and organizations, later this afternoon U.S. President Barack Obama will be meeting with some lawmakers regarding immigration reform. Those who will allegedly be at the meeting include Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Rep. Nydia Velasquez (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.). What kind of immigration reform will be pushed is still up in the air.

Some politicians like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) have recently expressed their support and desires to bring the DREAM Act for a vote.

However Senator Menendez has stated that he sees DREAM as a fall back position. From Politico :

“I would not like to start there,” Menendez said. “I am a strong supporter of the DREAM Act. If that is all that can be achieved, then I certainly support the opportunity.”

I hope that Menendez’s plan, if he has one, doesn’t resemble NY Senator “Biometric Chuck” Schumer’s plans as they were presented last year.

This could just be another one of those meetings for show where nothing comes out except more statements in support of immigration reform while enforcement is amped up in the United States. But that’s just the cynical side of me writing. I really hope that this meeting yields something positive including steeping away from enforcement first language and policies. What’s a little different this time around is some Republicans stepping up in favor of the DREAM Act, which was lacking the last time it was presented for a vote.

A ver and we’ll keep you posted.

Via / Politico & America’s Voice

Democratic Promises, Insecure Lies

6 Oct 2010

Let’s get this out of the way.

Yes, the Republicans as a party have shown nothing but contempt for Latinos, especially immigrant Latinos, LGBT Latinos, poor Latinos and all the intersections and iterations of the aforementioned.

Is that enough for Latinos to run to the polls and vote Democrat in less than a month? All signs point to no. Polls abound pointing that the mythical Latino voter supports the Democratic party in theory but aren’t convinced enough to keep the Dems in office.

And why would that be?

It’s a little too easy to merely point out the fact that the Obama administration has failed to cumplir it’s promesa to the Latino community on comprehensive immigration reform. To rely on that as the reason to not vote/not vote Dem, makes the Latino electorate look irresponsible and passes blame onto the voter. Rather, perhaps the media who is sounding alarm bells about the lack of Latino loyalty and will should look at what the Democrats have done against immigrant communities.

The Latino Vote : Party Loyalty vs Community Loyalty

8:36 am By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|Obama|Politics · 14 Comments

16 Aug 2010

With the boost in Secure Communities and more boots on the ground on the U.S. Mexican Frontera, every so often the debate among bloggers, advocates and activists becomes one of strategy. Do we spend time countering the ridiculous anti-14th amendment narrative and debate “antis” or do we take and make a more critical analysis and dare hold so-called political allies feet to the fire at the risk of being called “trouble makers”?

The expectation is that people of color bloggers, Latinos and in the very specific case of VivirLatino, radical women of color bloggers, should always side against the obvious enemy: the Republicans talking about our vaginas dropping anchor babies and putting us into camps. The actions of Democrats, specifically a man of color, the first African American president, are supposed to be given a free pass. Patience is asked and we should never ever look like we are on the same side as those that question the validity of birth certificates.

This morning an anonymous commenter wrote : Bet you wish we still had Bush.

Senate Border Security Bill Passes and Obama Signs On

2:38 pm By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|Obama|Politics|U.S.-Mexico Border · 2 Comments

12 Aug 2010

The Democratic led Senate interrupted their summer recess in order to interrupt the lives of countless undocumented immigrants, those suspected of being undocumented immigrants, and those living on either side of the U.S. Mexico frontera.

The Senate approved a $600-million border security bill Thursday morning, sending President Obama his request for 1,500 more troops and immigration officials to beef up security along the border with Mexico…The bill passed without dissent

The National Guard troops that will be deployed to the border have received their orders.And President Obama happily put more boots on the ground and boots on the backs of immigrant communities by signing the bill into law.

Reactions to Obama’s Speech on Immigration

7:24 am By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|Media|Obama|Politics · 6 Comments

2 Jul 2010

Organizations whose survival relies on the idea that comprehensive immigration reform is not dead or on the rise of the Democratic party machine, will take a speech like yesterday’s and spin it into a positive, over and over again. I understand that and in some ways you have to respect that tenacity.

The Center for American Progress lavished the strongest praise on the President:

President Barack Obama boldly showed today that he is neither giving up on immigration reform nor giving in to restrictionist measures like the one Arizona recently enacted.

The president demonstrated great courage and conviction as he reasserted that the only solution to repairing our broken immigration system is one enacted by the federal government that is tough, practical, and fair.

In an email sent out, SEIU took the president’s call to get Republicans moving on a bill seriously:

In his first major address on immigration reform this morning, President Obama rolled up his sleeves and called on Republicans again to work with him on fixing our broken immigration system.

Still, Republicans have refused to cross the aisle and work with him to deliver the comprehensive immigration reform that a vast majority of Americans want.

So we’re asking all our members and supporters to call on the Republicans in the Senate to join the President by working together to fix our broken immigration system.

Click here to call a Republican Senator: http://action.seiu.org/letsgettowork

Reform Immigration FOR America, took the same approach, shifting any blame from the president or his party and focusing on Republican legislative inaction.

The National Council of la Raza wasn’t as laudatory as it tends to be everytime Obama makes a speech. Their press release post-speech concluded:

“America needs an answer. Comprehensive immigration reform is the solution, and the time to act is now. Politicians who stand in the way or sit on the sidelines will be held accountable on Election Day,” concluded Murguía.

I wonder if that was meant to mean the President as well?

Not all organizations did their usual song and dance though.
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What You Didn’t Miss In President Obama’s Immigration Reform Speech

12:26 pm By Maegan La Mala · Immigration|Obama · 6 Comments

1 Jul 2010

In case you missed our live tweet of Obama’s speech at American University on immigration, I bring bad news. You didn’t miss much.

You didn’t miss Obama’s beautiful and characteristic rhetoric and poetry.

You didn’t miss Obama’s using the usual lines about how immigrants make the U.S. what it is and how the U.S. is a nation of immigrants.

You didn’t miss Obama saying that he would not bow down to the pressure of misguided but well meaning immigrant advocates who want him to sign an executive order in the absence of a reform bill.

You didn’t miss Obama saying that enforcement on the southern border comes first and that he has told Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano to keep up the crackdown on the border especially now since thanks to him there are more “boots on the ground” at the U.S./Mexico border than ever before.

You didn’t miss Obama telling the undocumented, while calling them “illegals”, that they need to admit that they are criminals, pay taxes and fines, and learn English before they can get status.

You didn’t miss Obama telling employers to be accountable and not hire the undocumented.

You didn’t miss Obama referring to the DREAM Act as part of CIR but not as a a stand alone.

You didn’t miss Obama referring to AgJobs but not by name.

You didn’t miss Obama blaming the Republicans.

You can read what you didn’t miss after the jump where I will post the entire text of President Obama’s speech as released by the White House.

There is also a video available here
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