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This week Vice President Kamala Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico to discuss those countries key issues including immigration, corruption, and economic development.

While in Guatemala, Harris had a clear message to migrants who were thinking of coming to the United States.

I want to be clear to folks in this region that are making that dangerous track to the United States-Mexico border. Do not come. Do not come, Harris said.

The United States will continue to enforce our laws and secure our border. And I believe if you come to our border you will be turned back, she said in a press conference on Monday with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei.

Immediately after her speech, immigration advocacy groups and officials called out Harris and the Biden administration for their Trump-like rhetoric and policies.

In an interview with the Signal, Chief Advocacy Officer at The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) Erika Andiola said she was disheartened after hearing Harriss speech.

It is time to use their power and to really follow their promises they have made to the immigrant community and not be afraid of the Republican party and their base, Andiola said.

Andiola said it is the responsibility of the government to create better systems and safer conditions for families and children seeking asylum at the border.

We are not advocating for more detention for children, we want safer places and an expedited way for these kids to be reunited with their families, Andiola said.

Diana Martinez, co-founder of the Coalition to End Child Detention in El Paso (CECD) called Vice President Harris comments tone deaf.

Its not addressing the reasons why theyre coming theyre coming because theyre running away from a corrupt government theyre running away from violence, Martinez said. Im sure they would want to stay at home if they could, but staying there is not an option to save the lives of their children.

Andiola, Martinez, and others highlighted how former administrations created foreign policy that led to the destruction in many Central American and Latinx countries including Guatemala.

The violence that goes on there is rooted in US foreign policy so to say that to people in Guatemala is like saying put up with the abuse and violence, Martinez said. Asylum is a right, it is not illegal.

New York House Representative. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also responded to Harris comments tweeting, this is disappointing to see. First seeking asylum at any US border is a 100% legal method of arrival. Second, the US spent decades contributing to regime change and destabilization in Latin America. We cant help set someones house on fire and then blame them for fleeing.

In May, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott issued an order to remove licenses from childcare facilities who are housing unaccompanied migrant children.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responded to Abbotts order threatening to sue the governor, but then issued a statement telling facilities that are housing unaccompanied migrant children to wind-down operations.

As organizers, Andiola and Martinez are fighting to end child detention centers at the border altogether, but want better conditions for the children in the meantime.

Both said Abbotts policies are not helping, but instead creating an environment of fear in Texas.

Hes not doing this out of the kindness of his heart because he cares about migrant children, Andiola said. Its important as a country that we move forward with reimagining and recreating the way we welcome children so that they are not detained for such a long period of time and in conditions that are not safe physically and mentally.

In El Paso, Martinez said organizers and sponsors have no access to unaccompanied migrant children in Fort Bliss, an army base housing migrant children, and only learn about the conditions from leakers.

Before 2019, I could get on base and all you needed was proper insurance and registration, and I was able to get on base regularly now you can only get on the base if someone you know signs you in, Martinez said. Many of the children what they ask for in Fort Bliss is for clean underwear and they go without clean underwear for 2 to 3 weeks.

Martinez said they want transparency between the government and the community about how long the children are being held and what conditions they are living in.

We should be able to tell these children that they are loved, not alone and they will see their families soon, Martinez said. And to give them a place where they feel safe, that is temporary and for these to not be run by corporations. We should not profit off of pain.

Andiola also said these unaccompanied migrant children are only wanting a better life and also highlighted that seeking asylum in the U.S. is not illegal.

Children when they live in poverty they grow up feeling this responsibility that they have to help their families, Andiola said. At the end of the day they are children and to just say no and do everything the governor is doing to ensure we turn them away is just completely heartless and we are not going to stand for that.

The White House/ Wikimedia Commons

The rest is here:
Immigration advocacy organizations call out the Biden administration for their shift on immigration reform at the border. - The Texas Signal

WESLACO, Texas Sergio Contreras, president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, is one of a number of top business leaders across Texas to call for comprehensive immigration reform.

RGVP is a member of FWD.us,a bipartisan political organization that believes Americas families, communities, and economy thrive when more individuals are able to achieve their full potential.

For too long, the group says, the United States broken immigration and criminal justice systems have locked too many people out of the American dream.

Founded by leaders in the technology and business communities, FWD.us says it is seeking to grow and galvanize political support to break through partisan gridlock and achieve meaningful reforms.

Together, the group states, it can move America forward.

Contreras said: The RGV Partnership is a catalyst for prosperity in the Rio Grande Valley unifying stakeholders in the spirit of collaboration and regional progress and aims to be an influential advocate. This mission is extended through our partnership with FWD.us. Today, our nations immigration system is beyond broken and needs a unified front across leaders at the federal and state level to get the job done. More than ever, we need an immigration system that will benefit all workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses across Texas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley.

Contreras made his comments as FWD.us announced an expansion of its work to support bipartisan immigration reform through continued partnerships with Texas business organizations and trade associations.

The announcement comes on the heels of the U.S. House of Representatives passing both the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to create a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented individuals and their families.

Contreras said the partnerships FWD.us is building will include a variety of engagements to highlight the need for bipartisan immigration reform in Texas and across the nation, including public forums, press events, association roundtables, and joint outreach to elected officials.

Texas immigrant community is critical to our states COVID-19 response efforts and overall economic success. Major sectors of our states economy, including agriculture, food and beverage, energy, and real estate, are fueled by the contributions of immigrants, who are driving innovation, creating American jobs, and boosting economic growth, FWD.us said, in a news release.

Today, immigrant Texans contribute billions in tax revenue at the federal, state, and local levels, and create millions of jobs for American workers. However, decades of inaction on immigration policies has hindered our states economic growth while preventing millions of immigrants from contributing their full potential.

Here are the comments of various leaders within FWD.us:

FWD.us is excited to continue expanding our immigration work in Texas, especially through these crucial partnerships. Immigration is critical to the economic success of Texas, and to our states standing as a leading global economy. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Texas immigrants including undocumented individuals have remained vital to our states essential workforce, filling roles in industries from healthcare to agriculture, and their continued contributions are needed for a full economic recovery. We have an enormous opportunity to continue building momentum in Congress around bipartisan immigration reform bills and at the state level. By working with local business leaders, we can further emphasize the significant impact immigration has on our state and broader economy to drive meaningful reform in the near future.

The innovative and entrepreneurial spirit championed by immigrant communities is vital to Houstons success. Today, Houstons more than 280,000 undocumented essential workers are critical to our states COVID-19 response efforts and are helping fuel our economic recovery. These are workers in industries from farming to healthcare, working to ensure our businesses and communities are able to make it through this global health crisis. We look forward to our partnership with FWD.us to advance immigration policies that will improve our economy and communities.

With more than 1.7 million undocumented immigrants in Texas, including 300,000 undocumented essential workers in the DFW area, immigrants are vital to Texas economy and are integral to the fabric of our communities. Today, we have a unique opportunity to get sound, bipartisan immigration reforms across the finish line to better support our immigrant communities and industries they contribute to. Especially as we continue to rebuild from the economic downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, it is time for our leaders at the state and federal level to recognize the immense contributions and positive impact of immigration in Texas. We look forward to doing just that through this continued partnership with FWD.us.

As home to the second largest immigrant population in the U.S., Texans understand just how significant the contributions of immigrants are to economic growth, job creation, innovation, cultural diversity, and beyond. This is especially seen in the restaurant industry, which has long been supported by foreign-born individuals who are integral to the future success of businesses and the broader economy. With an estimated 24 percent of restaurant workers being born in foreign countries, their dedication to the industry and to keeping Americans fed, especially through the coronavirus pandemic, has been unmatched. We are excited to build our partnership with FWD.us to support immigrants and their families as we work towards bipartisan, commonsense immigration reform.

A cumbersome immigration system has been a hurdle to the success of Texas businesses. The investment immigrants make in our state is sizable, both financially and socially, and their willingness to persevere has been shown time and time again most notably on the front lines of the pandemic. In fact, immigrants account for 24% of our overall essential COVID-19 response workforce, including health care workers, sanitation workers, agriculture workers, and more. Theyre reinforcing different sectors of the economy at a time when every industry is in need of support. More than ever, we need a new approach to immigration reform, and are excited to work on this through our growing partnership with FWD.us to find solutions that meet Texans needs.

Immigration has been an integral part of Texas past and is key to its future, and now is the time for Congress to develop a bipartisan solution that provides durable protection for Dreamers with a path to citizenship. If these young immigrants were removed, it would result in an annual GDP loss of $6.1 billion for the Lone Star State and remove a key component of Texas workforce. But more importantly, these young men and women are our neighbors, friends and co-workers who have only known the United States as their home, and the Texas Association of Business stands ready to work with its federal representatives to pass immigration reform.

A stronger immigration system will enable Texas foreign-born workforce to supplement our labor needs and power our states economy. In fact, more than half of the landscaping industry in Texas today is comprised of foreign-born individuals. However, our nations crumbling immigration system often fails those who seek to build a new life for themselves and their families here in the U.S. As Congress works advance legislation such as the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act to support undocumented individuals and their families who are vital to the agriculture workforce, more can and must be done to ensure Texas immigrants can contribute to their fullest ability. With FWD.us, we look forward to changing the conversation to prioritize an immigration system that benefits all Texans.

Producing quality journalism is not cheap. The coronavirus has resulted in falling revenues across the newsrooms of the United States. However, The Rio Grande Guardian is committed to producing quality news reporting on the issues that matter to border residents. The support of our members is vital in ensuring our mission gets fulfilled.

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Contreras: We need an immigration system that benefits all workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses - Rio Grande Guardian

Brooks County Sheriff Martinez said there is a solution to this problem but it does not involve more border walls.

BROOKS COUNTY, Texas The Coastal Bend may not have any international borders, but on a daily basis, local law enforcement are kept extremely busy.

41 immigrants have been found dead in the brush country of South Texas this year, Sheriff of Brooks County Benny Martinez told 3News.

"We picked up number 41. He was sitting underneath the tree, so we just secured the body and he was still in tact," Martinez said.

"Most of the time, they're out there more than four days," Brooks County Deputy Jose Lemus said. "They don't have no water, no food. They just give up."

Almost on a day-to-day basis, the Brooks County Sheriff's Department have their work cut out for them because there are so many people trying to get north of the Sarita checkpoint without documentation, and risking their own lives to do it.

"There was a time last month during one of my shifts, I would get two bodies each day of my shift," Lemus said.

Sheriff Martinez said there is a solution to this problem but it does not involve more border walls, because that won't stop people from coming in. Martinez said the fix needs to start from deeper.

"The issue is that we're kind of staying away from is 'immigration reform.' It has to be that. That will minimize all this death, it will minimize everything," Martinez said. "As you mentioned earlier, the fact that it takes so long. I have a friend of mine that's still in the process. It's been 25-30 years now."

Martinez said one life lost is too many.

"Every single person that we pick up, every single body has a story to it. We'll never know that story."

For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.

More from 3News on KIIITV.com:

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Sheriff: 41 immigrants have been found dead in Coastal Bend brush country this year - KIIITV.com

For nine years, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, or DACA, has protected people illegally brought to the U.S. as children.

Sunflower Community Action, a nonprofit in Wichita that fights for racial and economic equity, is hosting a DACA Cumple 9, or DACA Turns 9, celebration on Tuesday. It will be nine years to the date that former President Barack Obama signed DACA into law in 2012.

From 4 to 7 p.m., people can come to the Evergreen Recreational Center and enjoy music, food, games and Latin dancing.

However, Yeni Telles, the community organizer for Sunflower, says theres more to the event than just a celebration.

We also want to bring awareness to the community of the need of the passage of the Dream and Promise Act, which is at the Senate at this moment, Telles said. And we just need the support of the community, the state and our leaders.

The Dream and Promise Act would provide steps for Dreamers to become citizens. Under DACA, Dreamers have no such path. They have to renew their credentials every two years.

Esmeralda Tovar-Mora is a Dreamer in Hutchinson. She says she arrived in the U.S. when she was 18 months old. Now, she works as a case manager at a mental health center. She says her fourth DACA renewal is coming up this year.

The Trump administration suspended DACA, and no one could apply for or renew their protection. President Joe Biden has since revived it.

Obviously, the past four years have made it really clear just how tenuous those protections are, Tovar-Mora said. It's always in the back of your mind.

It's a weight that you always carry on your shoulders. And I feel like I need a chiropractor from that.

The instability is why Tovar-Mora stresses the need for legislation leading to citizenship for Dreamers and immigration reform for all migrants. Both Tovar-Mora and Telles said they want the community to see immigrants as humans first and to let compassion guide the way toward that reform.

Personally, growing up, if I didn't tell you, nobody knew the difference, Tovar-Mora said. I walked like them, I talked like them, I pledged allegiance to the flag like they did. There was nothing different about me other than the color of my skin.

Now, Tovar-Mora enjoys recreating Gordon Ramsay recipes especially burgers with her husband. She likes to collect vinyl records and take her nearly 5-year-old daughter to activities like gymnastics and dance.

If the Dream and Promise Act does not pass, she says one of her last resorts will be to have her husband petition for her citizenship.

The only reason why I hesitated is because I know how grueling this process is for myself, Tovar-Mora said. I don't want to put him through that.

For now, Sunflower is continuing to help people in Kansas sign up for DACA protections. At the DACA Turns 9 event, anyone wanting to renew their DACA credentials or apply for the first time can participate in a workshop and receive help from an attorney.

The first 10 people to register will receive $200 to help with application fees.

For Telles, just learning to appreciate the culture is a large part of immigration reform. She recalled a conversation with a friend who visited Colombia. He adored the culture there.

And I said, How will be the United States without the diversity of immigrants? Telles said. You don't have to go to Mexico to see the dances that we're going to be bringing, you don't have to go somewhere else to eat the food. It's here in our community. And this is brought by immigrants.

For more information about Daca Turns 9, visit Sunflower Community Actions Facebook page.

Katelynn McIlwain is KMUW's Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism intern. She will be a senior this fall at the University of Missouri.

See the article here:
Wichita 'Dreamers' To Mark 9th Anniversary Of DACA - KMUW

There are many undocumented residents in the United States who have been paying taxes for over 20 years. I know one undocumented family who has been living in the USA for over 29 years paying taxes as a voiceless people group.

Some might be smuggled to the United States due to the gang violence, poverty, and corrupted social system in their country. Some have become undocumented even though they entered the country legally and earned an academic degree. They were unable to find work or the company that employed them didnt have enough business to be able to sponsor them.

This situation leads many white-collar, undocumented people to become voiceless, right-less and helpless people in our country.

Id like to appeal for the reformation of immigration laws. Currently, our immigration reform is focused on the Dream Act. That is surely a win/win situation.

But there are people who came to the United States in their thirties and paid their taxes faithfully. Many are now in their sixties and wouldnt benefit from the Dream Act, even though they have spent their whole lives in America as faithful taxpayers.

I propose anyone who has lived in the United States longer than 15 years and has proof of paying taxes should be granted an immediate, permanent Visa to allow them to remain in this country.

There also are many children who have been suffering from their parents cancellation of their adoption. If adopted parents did not pursue their childs citizenship status, he or she becomes an international orphan. Some of these adult children even ended their lives because they couldnt find any place to call home.

For this reason, I believe the adopted childs application for citizenship should be mandated at the international airport when they first arrive in the United States.

Sarah H Kim is pastor of the Nittany/ Sugar Valley Charge in Loganton, Pa.

More here:
We need immigration reform to help people who have lived in this country and paid taxes for decades | PennLiv - pennlive.com