Author Archives: FLIC Communications Team
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FAQs
Who can participate?
Anyone! Just bring your passion for immigrant rights and commitment to work for the fair treatment of ALL Floridians, including immigrants.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please contact Stephanie Wall, Lead Organizer, at swall@floridaimmigrant.org
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No refunds. For financial matters please call us at (305) 571-5754
What are the benefits of being a FLIC member?
If you belong to an organization that is a member of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, your organization has the right to VOTE on FLIC’s Strategic Plan for next year. You can also nominate a member of your organization to join our Board of Directors! If you are an individual member, you have the right to participate in the General Assembly and all of our capacity building and strategy workshops.
The Bigger We
Forging Solidarity
FLIC Congress 2019 | Nov. 9 at 11 AM – Nov. 10 at 4 PM
United Methodist Life Enrichment Center
4991 Picciola Rd, Fruitland Park, FL 34731
What the new Public Charge Rule could mean for Floridians
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 12, 2019
Contact: Melissa Taveras, melissa@floridaimmigrant.org, 786.956.0352
Thomas Kennedy, thomas@floridaimmigrant.org, 786.346.0819
** Interviews available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole **
New Trump Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule Threatens Health and Well-being of all Floridians
Advocates Urge Litigation, Congressional Action, to Protect Families
Miami, FL — The Trump Administration has finalized a “public charge” rule that threatens the health of over 1,000,000 low-wealth Floridians, weaponizing health and human services programs against lawfully present immigrants and their families. The rule would harm over a hundred thousand U.S.-born children in Florida, as fear and confusion about this technical and complex rule may discourage many immigrant families from enrolling or keeping their children in public assistance programs that are vital for low-income families.
“This regulation forces millions of families across the country to choose between the things they need and the people they love. It’s created a chilling effect across our immigrant communities because many people are confused over who is targeted by the rule and who is not,” said Dr. Matt Childers, Director of Research and Policy at FHJP.
Isabel Vinent, Interim Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, added that, “The ‘public charge’ proposal is another radical departure from past interpretations and policy impacting immigrants seeking to access a green card. This will dramatically impact the lives of immigrants, especially low-income people of color. These are hard-working families seeking to live to their fullest potential while vastly contributing to the U.S. culture and economy. The message behind this policy is clear: priority will be given to wealthy, white immigrants. That is not who we are as a nation.”
FHJP estimates that up to 107,000 U.S.-born children, in families where one or both parents are noncitizens, will lose their health insurance and up to 82,000 will lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the rule’s chilling effect. South Florida will disproportionately feel the impact from this, as half of affected families live in Greater Miami. The Urban Institute shows that across the U.S., one out of seven immigrant families has already begun avoiding non-cash government assistance programs.
When the rule was proposed last fall, the public charge proposal drew more than 266,000 public comments, overwhelmingly in opposition. Organizations across Florida, including the Florida Health Justice Project (FHJP), Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and WeCount, opposed the plan, as did pediatricians, hospitals, health insurers, public health officials, local elected officials, and other health leaders.
“In this political environment, many immigrant families who are eligible for public benefits, regardless of this rule, are afraid to stay in or enroll in public assistance programs because they think that their legal status will change or worse, that they will be deported. It threatens our state’s public health and our economy and its consequences will disproportionately impact the Miami area,” Childers said.
The final regulation puts admissions to the U.S. or applications for a “green card” at risk for an immigrant or a member of an immigrant’s family if their wealth falls below 125% of the federal poverty level ($32,188 a year for a family of four) or if they use Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly “Food Stamps”) or “Section 8” rent vouchers. Citizenship applications are not subject to the “public charge” regulation, and refugees, asylees, and other immigration statuses are also exempt. Conservative estimates peg the regulation’s impact at 26 million people nationwide. That includes the one-fourth of all children in the U.S. — the vast majority born here — who live in immigrant families. Experts expect unmet health care needs to rise, as well as hunger, child poverty, inadequate or unsafe housing, and other drivers of poor health outcomes. And because immigrants targeted by the Trump proposal are overwhelmingly immigrants of color, experts expect racial health disparities to widen.
FHJP, FLIC and WeCount urge litigation and immediate congressional action that will protect families and children by stopping the implementation of the Trump administration’s public charge rule. Otherwise, the rule announced on August 12, 2019, will go into effect on October 15, 2019.
Find out if you have an Order of Removal
En español abajo | Nan kreyòl anba a
Do you want to know if you have an order of removal? You can check the status of your immigration case calling the automated information line of the Immigration Court. You just need to have your case number (also known as the A number).
Call 800-898-7180. Mark number 1 to listen to instructions in English. When they ask, enter your case number (without the A at the beginning).
If your case has been before an Immigration Judge, they will spell out your last and first name, and will ask for confirmation. Then you will hear instructions to hear what the judge’s decision was, or if there has been no decision, to find out when and where you have your next court hearing.
If your case has not been before the Court, they will say that there is no case before the Court with the case number you entered. In that case, you can consult with an attorney, who can help you request more information.
¿Quiere saber si tiene una orden de deportación? Usted puede averiguar el estatus de su caso de inmigración, llamando al teléfono de información automatizada de la Corte de Inmigración. Solo necesita el número de su expediente (“Número “A”).
Llame al 800-898-7180. Entre el número 2 para escuchar las instrucciones en español. Cuando se lo piden, entre el número de su expediente (sin la “A” al principio).
Si su caso ha estado ante un Juez de Inmigración, letrearán su apellido y nombre, y pedirán confirmación. Después siga las instrucciones para escuchar la decisión del juez o bien si no la hay, para averiguar cuando y donde tiene su próxima corte.
Si su caso no ha estado ante la Corte, dirán que no hay caso ante la Corte con el número de expediente que usted entró. En ese caso, puede consultar con un abogado, quien le puede ayudar a solicitar más información.
Eske w’ vle konnen si w’ gen yon Lèt Depòtasyon? Ou ka tcheke nan ki nivo dosye w’ la ye si w’ ta rele pou enfòmasyon otomatik nan liy apèl Tribinal Imigrasyon an. Ou sèlmen bezwen genyen nimewo dosye w’ la (yo rele l’ tou Nimewo A).
Rele 800-898-7180. Peze nimewo 1 pou w’ tande demach yo an Anglè. Lè yo mande l’, antre nimewo dosye w’ la (san w’ pa bezwen mete A nan kòmansman an).
Si dosye w’ la te deja nan men yon Jij imigrasyon, yo pral eple Siyati w’ ak Non w’, epi yo pral mande w’ pou ou konfime. Aprè sa w’ pral tande enfòmasyon k’ap dirije w’ yon fason pou w’ tande sa Jij la te deside a, oubyen si pat gen okenn desizyon, pou w’ konnen kilè ak ki kote ou gen nouvo randevou Tribinal ou a.
Si dosye w’ la potko janm ale nan Tribinal avan, yo pral di w’ konsa pa gen okenn randevou Tribinal ki te fèt deja avèk nimewo dosye w’ antre a. Na ka sa, Ou ka wè avèk yon Avoka, ki ka ede w’ mande plis enfèòmasyon.
Know your rights when facing ICE • Conozca sus derechos cuando enfrente a ICE • Dwa ou yo lè ou konfwonte ICE
En español abajo | Nan kreyòl anba a
Trump promised mass deportations. Now ICE is set to deliver. Soon, raids may be happening in cities across the country, including Miami. ICE is expected to target persons with final orders of removal, including families who crossed the Southern Border, persons who participated in the family case management program, and those who entered as unaccompanied minors who have turned 18. They will also make arrests of other people they encounter.
But this isn’t a time to give in to fear. Fear is their weapon. OUR weapon is knowing our rights. We will be strong, and we will be ready. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Don’t Open Your Door!
If immigration agents knock on your door, don’t open your door.
- Ask to see the judicial warrant, which can be slid under your door.
- It must have your correct name and address and be signed by a judge.
- If the document does not have that information, say that you do not authorize their entrance and that you will call your attorney.
- Remain silent until you speak with your attorney.
- DO NOT provide any information on your background, place of birth or when/how you came to the United States.
- DO NOT sign any document that you don’t understand.
Be Prepared
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your family is to be prepared.
- Make a plan for you and your family about what to do if someone doesn’t come home or if anyone encounters ICE at home, at work, or in the community.
- Keep an immigration attorney’s number with you at all times.
- Have a notarized power of attorney ready, with indications on who you authorize to care for your children, in case you are detained.
- Have all your important documents in a safe and easy to access place.
- Make sure you have a financial fund to help with possible legal expenses.
We’re here for you. This is a difficult time for our families, but we are part of an ancestral legacy of resistance. Our communities will get through this together. To get answers to your questions, report raids or immigrant checkpoints, and much more, call the FLIC Immigrant hotline anytime: 1-888-600-5762.
Want to help? Become a volunteer! Email lmunoz@floridaimmigrant.org to get involved.
Trump prometió deportaciones masivas. Ahora ICE está listo para cumplirlas. Pronto, las redadas podrían estar sucediendo en ciudades por todo el país, incluyendo a Miami. Los objetivos incluyen familias quienes llegaron recientemente cruzando la Frontera del Sur y tienen órdenes de deportación, personas quienes participaron en el programa de manejo de casos familiares, adultos quienes han sobrepasado la edad límite del programa UAC (de niños extranjeros no acompañados), y personas con órdenes finales de deportación.
Sin embargo, este no es el momento para ceder al miedo. El miedo es el arma que ellos usan. NUESTRA arma es el conocer nuestros derechos. Nosotros seremos fuertes, y estaremos listos. A continuación encontrará cómo se puede proteger.
¡No Abra Su Puerta!
Si agentes de inmigración llaman a su puerta, no abra la puerta.
- Pida ver la orden judicial, la cuál puede ser deslizada por debajo de su puerta.
- Debe tener su nombre y dirección correctos y estar firmada por un juez.
- Si el document no tiene esa información, diga que usted no autoriza su entrada y que llamará a su abogado.
- Manténgase en silencio hasta que hable con su abogado.
- NO provea ningún tipo de información acerca de sus antecedentes, lugar de nacimiento, ni cuándo/cómo llegó a los Estados Unidos
- NO firme ningún documento que no entienda.
Esté Preparado
Una de las cosas más importantes que puede hacer para protegerse a usted mismo y a su familia es estar preparado.
- Haga un plan para usted y su familia en cuanto a qué hacer si alguien no llega a casa o si alguien se topa con ICE en la casa, en el trabajo, o en la comunidad.
- Tenga el teléfono de un abogado de inmigración con usted en todo momento.
- Tenga listo un poder notarizado, con indicaciones en cuanto a quién autoriza para que cuide a sus hijos, en caso de que llegase a ser detenido.
- Mantenga todos sus documentos importantes en un lugar seguro y accesible.
- Asegúrese de tener un fondo financiero para aportar a posibles gastos legales.
Estamos aquí para apoyarlo. Estos son tiempos difíciles para nuestras familias, pero somos parte de un legado ancestral de resistencia. Nuestras comunidades superarán esto juntas. Para recibir respuestas a sus preguntas, reportar redadas o retenes de inmigración, y mucho más, llame a la línea de información de FLIC las 24 horas del día: 1-888-600-5762.
¿Quiere ayudar? ¡Sea voluntario! Envíe un correo electrónico a lmunoz@floridaimmigrant.orgpara involucrarse.
Trump pwomèt anpil gwo depòtasyon. Byento, atak yo ka rive nan vil atravè peyi a, ki gen ladan Miami. Pa pi ta ke wikenn sa, operasyon sa yo ka kòmanse nan vil yo nan tout peyi a, menm Miami ladan tou. Moun yo ki vize nan pwoblèm sa a se fanmi nou yo ki fèk vini yo e ki apèn travèse Frontyè Sid la e ke yo bay lòd pou depòte yo a, moun sa yo ki te patisipe nan pwogram gesyon zafè fanmi, gran moun yo ki gen laj avanse e ki pa fè pati pwogram UAC a ankò, avèk sila yo yo pran desizyon deja pou yo te depòte yo definitivman.
Men se poko tan pou nou lage nou nan laperèz. Laperèz la se sèl zam yo. Zam pa NOU an se konnen dwa w’ yo. Nou pral pi fò, e nou pral mete nou prè. Men kijan pou w’ pwoteje tèt ou.
Pa Ouvri Pòt Ou!
Si ajan imigrasyon ap frape pòt ou, pa ouvri pòt ou.
- Mande pou w’ wè manda lajistis bay la, ki ka glise anba pòt ou a.
- Li dwe gen non w’ ekri korèkteman ak adrès w’ epi fòk li siyen par yon Jij.
- Si dokiman an pa gen enfòmasyon sa a, di yo konsa w’ pa otorize yo antre e pou sa w’ pral rele avoka w’.
- Rete an silans jiskaske w’ pale ak avoka w’.
- PA ba yo okenn enfòmasyon sou dosye jistis ou, kote w’ fèt oubyen ki lè/kijan ou te fè vini nan Etazini.
- PA siyen okenn dokiman w’ pa konprann.
Mete w’ prè
Youn nan bagay ki pi enpòtan w’ ka fè pou pwoteje tèt w’ ak fanmi w’ se mete w’ prè.
- Fè yon plan pou ou ak fanmi w’ sou kisa pou w’ fè si youn nan manm nan fanmi an ta pa retounen lakay li, oubyen si nenpòt nan nou ta rankontre yon ajan ICE nan kay la, nan travay la, oubyen nan kominote a.
- Toujou kenbe nimewo telefòn yon avoka sou ou nan nenpòt moman an.
- Toujou kenbe sou ou yon Dokiman yon Notè ba ou, ki endike ki moun ou otorize pou pran swen timoun ou yo, si tout fwa yo ta kenbe w’.
- Toujou kenbe dokiman enpòtan ou yo nan yon kote ki ansekirite kote w’ap ka gen aksè ak yo fasilman.
- Asire w’ ke ou gen yon ti kòb ki ka ede w’ ak frè pou depans w’ ka fè yo.
Nou la pou ou. Se yon moman difisil pou fanmi nou yo, men nou fè pati yon eritaj zansèt ki konn fè rezistans. Kominote nou yo pral soti nan sitiyasyon sa ansanm. Pou w’ jwenn repons pou kesyon w’ yo, pou w’ rapòte yon entèvansyon lapolis oubyen verifikasyon imigrasyon, ak plis ankò, rele Liy apèl FLIC pou Imigran yo nenpòt moman nan: 1-888-600-5762.
W’ vle ede? Vini yon volontè! Voye yon imèl bay lmunoz@floridaimmigrant.org pou w’ ka kòmanse!
The Cruelest Legislative Session
En español abajo | Nan kreyòl anba a
We Witnessed the Cruelest Legislative Session in Memory
This year’s legislative session concluded with an assault on people of color, children and immigrant communities. However, for the legislators pushing forward bills that serve corporations and for-profit prisons, it proved to be a resounding success.
After years of fighting and defeating anti-immigrant bills in the state, family separation Senate Bill 168 passed to satiate the political ambitions of the Trump and his acolyte Governor Ron Desantis. The bill requires local police and state agencies, including the Department of Children and Families, to comply with federal immigration enforcement. Despite thousands of Floridians lobbying against it in Tallahassee and law enforcement warning legislators against passing the bill, the Legislature approved it, but we will continue to fight its implementation.
Attacks on immigrant families were not the only disastrous result of this session. The Republican-led legislature waged an all-out war against working-class Floridians.
Some of the harmful proposals passed include arming teachers in the classroom, forcing school boards to share referendum funds with charter schools, undermining the will of amendment 4 voters by requiring returning citizens to pay all fines and court costs before being eligible to vote, making it harder for constitutional amendment initiatives to get on the ballot, expanding vouchers for private schools, extending existing toll roads through environmentally fragile land, and limiting local governments’ ability to set affordable housing rules.
Over 3,000 We Are Florida members mobilized to Tallahassee this legislative session to share their stories with lawmakers and plead with them to not criminalize their existence. We, alongside the ACLU and other national partners, released a travel advisory warning visitors of the risk of racial profiling and detention if Senate Bill 168 passed. The American Business and Immigration Coalition warned that it was an unfunded mandate and released a study that shows Florida could lose up to $3.5 billion of GDP growth if the law passed due to its impact on agriculture and tourism industries.
At the end nothing mattered to a governor and legislature that seemed determined to do President Trump’s bidding when it comes to hardline immigration enforcement, although the real winners are the for-profit prison industry that is poised to rake in cash due to the greater number of detentions that are sure to result from this harsh new law.
We are not surprised the legislature failed us. Now we need to move forward with an eye on the future and become more resilient than ever. We must love and protect one another.
Donate here to support our efforts to hold the Governor and members of the legislature accountable, and become a member of the Florida Immigrant Coalition to keep building a better Florida for all.
Fuimos testigos de la sesión legislativa más cruel en la historia
La sesión legislativa de este año concluyó con un asalto a personas de color, niños y comunidades inmigrantes. Sin embargo, para los legisladores que promueven proyectos de ley que sirven a corporaciones y prisiones con fines de lucro, resultó ser un éxito rotundo.
Después de años de luchar y derrotar los proyectos de ley anti-inmigrantes en el estado, la separación familiar del Proyecto de Ley del Senado 168 se aprobó para saciar las ambiciones políticas de Trump y el gobernador Ron Desantis. El proyecto de ley requiere que la policía local y las agencias estatales, incluyendo el Departamento de Niños y Familias, cumplan con la ley federal de inmigración. A pesar de los miles de Floridanos que presiónaron a los legisladores en Tallahassee y las advertencias por parte de los policías, la legislatura lo aprobó, pero continuaremos luchando contra su implementación.
Los ataques a las familias inmigrantes no fueron el único resultado desastroso de esta sesión. La legislatura dirigida por los Republicanos emprendió una guerra total contra los Floridanos de la clase trabajadora.
Algunas de las propuestas dañinas aprobadas incluyen armar a los maestros en el aula, obligar a las juntas escolares a compartir los fondos del referéndum con las escuelas autónomas, socavar la voluntad de los votantes de la enmienda 4 al exigir a los ciudadanos que regresan a pagar todas las multas y los costos judiciales antes de ser elegibles para votar. es más difícil que las iniciativas de enmienda constitucional se incluyan en la boleta electoral, se amplíen los cupones para las escuelas privadas, se extiendan las carreteras con peaje existentes a través de tierras frágiles desde el punto de vista ambiental y se limite la capacidad de los gobiernos locales para establecer normas de vivienda asequible.
Más de 3,000 miembros de We Are Florida se movilizaron a Tallahassee en esta sesión legislativa para compartir sus historias con los legisladores y rogarles que cesen de criminalizarlos. Nosotros, junto con la ACLU y otros socios nacionales, publicamos un aviso de viaje que advierte a los turistas y personas visitando la Florida, sobre el riesgo de perfiles raciales y detención si se aprueba el Proyecto de Ley del Senado 168. La American Business and Immigration Coalition advirtió que era un mandato no financiado y publicó un estudio que muestra que Florida podría perder hasta 3.500 millones de dólares en el crecimiento del crecimiento economico si la ley se aprobara debido a su impacto en las industrias agrícola y turística.
Al final, nada le importaba a un gobernador y una legislatura que parecían ciegamente decididos a cumplir las órdenes de Trump cuando se trata de hacer cumplir la ley de inmigración, aunque los verdaderos ganadores son la industria carcelaria con fines de lucro listos para recaudar las masivas ganancias generadas por las detenciones que seguramente resultará de esta nueva ley.
No nos sorprende que la legislatura nos haya fallado. Ahora debemos avanzar con un ojo al futuro y ser más resistentes que nunca. Debemos amarnos y protegernos unos a otros.
Haga una donación aquí para apoyar nuestros esfuerzos y para responsabilizar al gobernador y a los miembros de la legislatura, y hágase miembro de la Coalición de Inmigrantes de Florida para seguir construyendo una Florida mejor para todos.
Nou te asiste a Sesyon Lejislatif ki pi mechan nan Souvni nou
Sesyin lejislatif ane sa a te fini tankou yon gètapan sou moun ki gen koulè yo, timoun ak kominote imigran yo. Men pandan tan sa, pou lejislatè ki te prezante pwojè lwa pou antrepriz ak prizon ki la pou fè lajan, se te yon gran viktwa k’ap klewonnen.
168 sena peyi a te bay sou separasyon fanmi yo a te rive aksepte pou te ka byen reyalize anbisyon politik Trump lan ak kòkòday li ya, gouvènè Ron Desantis. Pwojè Lwa a egzije pou lapolis lokal la ak Biwo nan Leta yo, ladan tou gen Depatman pou timoun ak fanmi, pou yo tout konfòme yo ak règleman ke Imigrasyon federal la bay. Malgre anpil milye abitan Florida fè presyon sou li nan Tallahassee ak kote fòs lòd yo te avèti lejislatè yo pou yo pa aksepte pwoje lwa sa a, Pouvwa lejislati la te apwouve l, men n’ap kontinye batay pou li pa aplike.
Pil atak ki konn fèt sou fanmi imigran yo pat sèlman rezilta gwo desas sesyon legislativ sa a te fè. E legislati sa ki t’ap dirije sou limyè repibliken yo a te fè yon gè total avèk abitan Florida yo nan klas travayè yo.
Pami tout pwopozisyon negatif yo te ka fè yo, nou jwenn otorizasyon pou pwofesè lekòl gen zam nan klas la, pandan yo oblije Konsèy lekòl yo pou yo pataje kòb referandòm nan ak lekòl ki jwenn plis privilèj yo, vòlè chwa pèp la nan eleksyon selon Amannman 4 la pendan y’ap oblije sitwayen k’ap fèk monte sou pouvwa yo pou yo peye tout amann ak frè pou lajistis, li pi difisil kounya pou n’ vote Amannman Konstitisyon an, pou n’ agrandi kontwòl sou lekòl prive yo, ogmante kòb wout ke moun dwe peye yo sou espas tè ki fragil sou pwen anvironman ak limite kapasite gouvènman lokal yo pou yo fè de seri de lwa pou moun yo ka abite nan yon kay ki plis ou mwens.
Plis pase 3,000 Manm We Are Florida te mobilize sesyon lejislatif sa a nan Tallahassee pou pataje istwa yo avèk moun k’ap fè lwa yo ak plede avèk yo pou yo pa kriminalize egzistans yo. Nou menm, ansanm avèk ACLU ak lot Patnè nasyonal, libere yon konsèy vwayaj pou mete vizitè yo nan prekosyon pou risk sou pwofil rasyal ak enprizónman si Pwojè Lwa 168 la te pase. Biznis Ameriken ak Koalisyon pou Imigran (American Business and Immigration Coalition) te avèti ke se yon manda ki pa fonde sou anyen e ki fè yon etid ki montre Florida ka pèdi plis pase 3.5 bilyonn Dola nan ogmantasyon PIB si tout fwa lwa sa ta pase akoz de enpak li sou agrikilti ak touris endistriyel la.
Pou fini, pat gen okenn lòt bagay ki te pi enpotan pou yon gouvènè ak yon asanble lejislativ ke montre detèminasyon yo pou reyalize tout rèv Prezidan Trump nan sa nou rele aplike lwa imigrasyon yo avèk fòs, byen ke moun ki plis benefisyè nan bagay sa se endistri prizon yo ki la ou fè kòb, e yo sou wout pou yo tèlman fe pwofi nan anprizone moun ki pral bay vrèman rezon pou yo te adopte nouvo lwa sa avèk tout fòs.
Sa pa fè nou sezi paske lejislati sa fè nou wont. E kounya nou dwe avanse pou pi devan avèk yon je nou fikse sou avni nou ak vin plis fleksib ke nou te ye avan. Nou dwe renmen ak pwoteje youn lòt.
Fè yon don la pou sipòte efò n’ap fè pou kenbe Gouvènè a ak manm responsab nan kò legislatif la, epi vin fè w manb nan Florida Immigrant Coalition pou nou ka kontinye bati yon Florida ki pi bon pou nou tout.
We Are Florida Legislative Update – Our diversity is our strength
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| En español abajo | Nan kreyòl anba a |
| In Florida, one out of five residents is an immigrant, and nearly 1 million live with at least one undocumented family member. Florida is one of the most diverse states in the country. Yet Florida could become one of the most anti-immigrant states in the country if Senate Bill 168 and House Bill 527 pass. In response, statewide and national organizations putting out an emergency travel advisory warning people and companies to avoid Florida if these family separation bills pass.
Have you or someone you know been detained by Immigration officials in Florida while on a tourist visa? If so, send us an email. |
Fighting SB 168 and HB 527Last week’s mobilizations were a demonstration of the strength of our immigrant communities. So far, SB 168 and HB 527 have passed in two committees, but votes have been delayed during the last two weeks. This shows our our stories, visits, calls, and emails are have are having an affect on lawmakers in the upcoming committees. We will continued to apply pressure during State of Latinas and Muslim Capitol Days. The ACLU of Florida and other coalition members have been critical in this fight, as they have mobilized, written op-eds, and spoken up for our communities. There has also been a significant amount of media pressure, with the Palm Beach Post Editorial Board firmly denouncing SB 168. We Are Florida has also taken out radio ads in Amor 107.5, Mixx 98.3, El Zol, Radio Caracol and Actualidad to educate the community about these horrible proposals, which will lead to the separation of our families. We are urging State Senator Manny Diaz and House Speaker Jose Oliva to oppose these dangerous family separation bills. Help us take stand against SB 168 and HB 527. Send an email right now and call Florida legislators. |
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Reports from TallahasseeIt has been an incredible week. Between two mobilizations, one for State of Latinas and the other for Muslim Lobbying Day,s our very temporary but powerful slowdown of SB 168 and HB 527, and a critical travel advisory that we are in the the process of rolling out, it has been intense. Volunteers across the state have shown up to speak their truth and stand together. The overlap in our communities is inspiring, as passionate Latinas and Muslim advocates spoke in favor of inclusive, compassionate, and family-oriented legislation this weekend. Our partners and coalition members took the lead this week, with Emgage leading Muslim Lobbying Day at the Capitol, while the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health Florida Latina Advocacy Network organizing the State of Latinas. This week truly drove home the idea that our struggles exist without borders. At the Capitol, we had Middle Eastern refugees taking a stand for Central American asylum seekers, who stood in solidarity with DACA and TPS recipients, who fought alongside second generation Muslim immigrants. Our diversity is our strength, and our struggles transcend boundaries. Thank you so much to the organizations that helped support this week’s mobilization for immigrant rights, including Miami Workers Center, New Florida Majority. Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, Poderosa is Her Power, Women Working Together, Dignity Florida, Florida NOW, and other partners. This work couldn’t happen without our members, partners, and allies. See more images from this amazing mobilization here. |
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We Are Florida Legislative Update – We made our immigrant voices heard in the capitol
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| This week has been inspiring. Hundreds of Floridians from across the state joined us in a massive mobilization to support our immigrant families. We shared powerful stories with lawmakers, held a vigil, marched through Tallahassee, created activist art, and made sure our voices were heard. We’re so humbled by the extraordinary courage our immigrant community has shown, in particular the courage of our immigrant youth. |
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| We heard heartbreaking stories of children being separated from their parents, including one amazing 5-year-old activist whose father was deported just last week, and stories of bravely facing and surviving violence, fear, and the unknown. Our struggle brings us together, and together we are strong. |
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| Thank you so much to the organizations that helped support this week’s mobilization for immigrant rights, including United We Dream, FWAF, HOPE, MFV, Trust Orlando, Florida Latina Advocacy Network, Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, We Count!, Community Tampa Bay, RCMA, QLatinx, We Are All America, Unite Here, Florida Immigrant Youth Network, Young American Dreamers, and more. This work couldn’t happen without our members, partners, and allies. See more images from this amazing mobilization here. |
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SB 168 and HB 527 get even uglierIn Florida, one out of five residents is an immigrant, and nearly 1 million of us live with at least one undocumented family member. Florida is one of the most diverse states in the country. But our state now stands on the verge of leading the pack of anti-immigrant states with Senate Bill 168 and House Bill 527. These bills are being fast tracked due to a secret backroom deal bartered between legislators and businesses leaders who opposed E-verify. HB 527 even had one of its committee stops cancelled so it could get to the House floor even faster. Both of these bills should be defeated, and the safety of all Florida families needs to come first. |
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| That’s why Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina threatened to quit if SB 168 passed and said he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if he had to “check where someone came from before helping them.” This goes against everything Floridians stand for and would only lead to more of our families torn apart for the benefit of detention companies that profit from our suffering. |
| Help us take stand against SB 168 and HB 527. Send an email right now and call Florida legislators at 210-714-2768. |
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The State of LatinasFrom anti-immigrant legislation that forces law enforcement to comply with ICE to bans on comprehensive reproductive care before folks even know they’re pregnant, women in Florida continue to be under attack during Florida’s legislative session. Join Latinas from across the state in Tallahassee on April 3-4 to uplift our communities and highlight how anti-immigrant and anti-women bills disproportionately impact women of color. The State of Latinas will honor the lives and resilience of women of color, Latinas, and all immigrants while unapologetically uplifting our demands and experiences. Secure your spot before it’s too late. Registration closes March 31. |
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Supporting Muslims and RefugeesOn April 3-4, we’ll also be joining Muslim Day at the Capitol. Join people of Muslim faith and supporters from across the state to fight back against Islamophobia, discuss the legislation impacting our Muslim community, and speak with lawmakers about the issues. Register today to participate. We’re also lifting up the stories of many amazing Muslim women captured in a new e-book, Learning from Within: Stories of Women in the New World. Written in both English and Arabic, it includes the stories of brave female refugees and immigrants whose survival and leadership can be an inspiration to many other women all over the world. Get your copy for just a $5 donation to Florida Immigrant Coalition. |
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Making Life BetterThere are some bill under consideration this session that would make life better for all Floridians, such as HB 457 and SB 1234. The Florida Latinx Hispanic American Union (FLHASU), held a press conference at the Florida Capitol calling on Florida legislators to support this legislation, which would extend state financial aid awards to students who with DACA and TPS. Here are some of the other bills that could make life better for all Floridians.
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We Are Florida Legislative Update – Get on the bus with We Are Florida!
| En español abajo | Nan kreyòl anba a |
The past two weeks of legislative session have been a whirlwind. Hundreds of folks from across the state have traveled with We Are Florida to Tallahassee to fight against family separation, celebrate women, lift up the powerful stories of Black women and girls, speak to elected officials, and much more. Thousands have made phone calls and sent emails. With your help, we can keep making our voices heard at the capitol.
Fighting family separation by stopping SB 168/HB 527Last week, on a party line vote of five Republicans in favor and three Democrats against, the Florida Senate’s Committee on Infrastructure and Security voted to move ahead with SB 168. This anti-immigrant bill would increase family separations by forcing officials across the state to cooperate with ICE. The bill’s companion in the Florida House, HB 527, is now also moving and is expected to pass the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. These bills will tear our families apart, hurt business across Florida, and threaten the safety of all Floridians. State Sen. Victor M. Torres, Jr., a former police officer, wrote in the Miami Herald that “SB 168 insults Florida’s history as a state that welcomes immigrants” and called it “a dangerous family-separation bill that marginalizes our immigrant neighbors.” We still have time to stop these bills and keep more of our families together, but we need your help. Get on the bus (from Homestead, Miami, and Orlando) to join our emergency mass mobilization to stop SB 168/HB 527 in Tallahassee. You can also call your elected officials and email them letting them know this bill criminalizes immigrant, Latinx and refugee communities, targeting our loved ones. |
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Celebrating womenSince the start of session, women have been coming to the capitol to make their voices heard in a big way. Women in Florida are under attack this legislative session, but together we are fighting back. On March 7-8, folks from across the state marched and lobbied for women’s rights in celebration of International Women’s Day, and on March 14-15, during Black Girls Day at the Capitol, Black women and girls from across the state raised their voices in the Capitol, meeting with legislators to demand that they consider Black women and girls with every law. |
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| These amazing, empowering mobilizations were possible because of the tireless work of activists from organizations statewide, including Miami Workers Center, FL Latina Advocacy Network, New Florida Majority, Organize Florida, FL Student Power Network, Planned Parenthood, and many more. |
Drive Safe Sunshine StateOn Wednesday, Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez and Representative Dottie Joseph announced their support for SB 1358 and HB 969, legislation that would make Florida’s roads safer and help lower insurance premiums for everyone. Close to a million Floridians currently don’t have access to a driver’s license due to their immigration status, impacting public safety.Driving without a license is one of the most common reasons for which immigrants are detained. |
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Without a license, our friends and family face impossible commutes, confronting daily fears to visit the doctor or take their children to school and worry constantly about being questioned by police and deported. That’s why we’re so determined to join states like California and New Mexico in giving all immigrants the right to access driver’s licenses and state IDs.
Elected officials need to hear from youJoin one of the upcoming mobilizations and come to Tallahassee to make sure our elected officials hear your stories. There’s still time to sign up and reserve your spot. Travel and lodging are included.
More bills to watchMany of the bills filed this legislative session would significantly impact our immigrant communities. But we’re not just fighting against bad legislation. Here are some of the bills that could make life better for all Floridians.
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Florida’s 2019 Legislative Session Begins
En español abajo | Nan kreyòl anba a
Today marks the start of Florida’s 2019 legislative session. For Florida’s immigrant and refugee families, there’s too much at stake. We’re facing proposed legislation that could seriously hurt our communities. There’s also legislation that would do much to defend our immigrant communities. That’s why I’m in Tallahassee working with We Are Florida to make sure our voices are heard in the capitol.
We Are Florida is a broad coalition of groups across the state fighting for our rights. But we can’t do it without your help. Our immigrant and refugee communities need everybody to be ready to make calls, stay informed, and join us in Tallahassee to speak with lawmakers directly. We’ll be keeping you up to date on what’s happening in the capitol throughout this legislative session and make sure you know how you can join us in making Florida a better place for all of us.
Bills to watch
We’ve already had two statewide mobilizations trying to fight State Bill 168, which would force government officials to collaborate with ICE, leading to the deportation of immigrant families at levels never seen before. This anti-sanctuary bill would be devastating not just to our communities, but to the entire state. As Paul DiMare, co-chair of the Immigration Partnership & Coalition Fund, wrote in the Miami Herald on Sunday, “This legislation is a direct threat to Florida’s warm and welcoming reputation and will deliver negative consequences for years to come.” We’ll continue to fight back against this bill and its companion House Bill 527.
Here are some of the other bill’s we’ll be watching this session. We’ll continue to keep you updated as more bills are filed.
OPPOSE
- HB 89/SB 164: Verification of Employment Eligibility – Mandates all employers use the error-prone E-Verify system for all new employees (Sponsors: Representative Thad Altman, Senator Aaron Bean)
- SB 162: Reentry Into the State by Certain Persons – Prevents anybody who’s ever been deported from entering Florida (Sponsor: Senator Joe Gruters)
SUPPORT
- HB 457/SB 1234: Student Eligibility Requirements for State Financial Aid Awards and Tuition Assistance Grants – Expands scholarship and financial aid eligibility to DACA and TPS recipients (Sponsors: Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, Representative Fentrice Driskell, Senator Annette Taddeo)
- HB 969/SB 1538: Driver Licenses and Identification Cards – Would allow immigrants, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a driver’s license and state IDs (Sponsors: Representative Dotie Joseph, Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez)
- HB 1303/SB 1566: Florida Trust Act – Would rebuild trust and local autonomy in our communities by cutting ties between local law enforcement and federal Immigration Customs Enforcement (Sponsors: Representative Al Jacquet, Senator Victor M. Torres, Jr.)
- HB 1137: Nonenforcement of Immigration Detainers and Nonjudicial Immigration Warrants – Limits potential cooperation with local police and federal immigration enforcement (Sponsor: Representative Cindy Polo)
- SB 1538: Heat Illness Prevention – Protects farmworkers, construction workers, and others from extreme heat conditions (Sponsors: Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith, Senator Victor Torres)
- HB 49/SB332: Dignity for Incarcerated Women – Provides incarcerated and detained women with access to health products and adds safety requirements when interacting with male guards (Sponsors: Representative Shevrin Jones, Representative Amy Mercado, Senator Jason Pizzo)
Join us in Tallahassee
One of the most impactful things you can do during this legislative session is join us in Tallahassee to share your stories directly with lawmakers. Let your legislators know how the legislation they are proposing would affect our communities, and get to know some of the amazing activists fighting for immigrant rights across the state.
Upcoming mobilizations
- International Women’s Day – March 7-8
- Black Girls Day at the Capitol – March 13-15
- Muslim Day at the Capitol – April 4
- We Are Florida Lobby Days – March 25-29
En Español
Hoy marca el inicio de la sesión legislativa de la Florida del 2019. Hay mucho en juego para las familias inmigrantes y refugiadas de la Florida. Nos enfrentamos a una propuesta de legislación que podría perjudicar gravemente a nuestras comunidades. También hay una legislación que haría mucho para defender a nuestras comunidades inmigrantes. Es por eso que estoy en Tallahassee trabajando con We Are Florida para asegurarme de que nuestras voces se escuchen en el capitolio.
We Are Florida es una amplia coalición de grupos en todo el estado que luchan por nuestros derechos. Pero no podemos hacerlo sin su ayuda. Nuestras comunidades de inmigrantes y refugiados necesitan que todos estén listos para hacer llamadas, mantenerse informados y unirse a Tallahassee para hablar directamente con los legisladores. Le mantendré informado sobre lo que esté sucediendo en el capitolio a lo largo de esta sesión legislativa y me aseguraré de que sepa cómo puede unirse a nosotros para hacer del estado de la Florida un lugar mejor para todos nosotros.
Propuestas legislativas para considerar
Ya hemos tenido dos movilizaciones en todo el estado tratando de luchar contra el Proyecto de Ley del Estado SB 168, que obligaría a los funcionarios del gobierno a colaborar con ICE, una póliza que resultó en la deportación de familias inmigrantes a niveles nunca antes visto. Este proyecto de ley contra el santuario sería devastador no solo para nuestras comunidades, sino para todo el estado. Como Paul DiMare, co-presidente del Immigration Partnership & Coalition Fund, escribió en el Miami Herald el domingo: “Esta legislación es una amenaza directa para la cálida y acogedora reputación de la Florida y generará consecuencias negativas en los próximos años”. Continuaremos luchando contra este proyecto de ley y su proyecto de ley de la Cámara de Representantes HB 527.
Estos son algunos de los otros proyectos de ley que veremos en esta sesión. Seguiremos manteniéndolo actualizado a medida que se presenten más facturas.
OPOSICIÓN
- HB 89 / SB 164: Verificación de la elegibilidad para el empleo – Obliga a todos los empleadores a utilizar el sistema E-Verify, propenso a errores, para todos los empleados nuevos (Patrocinadores: Representante Thad Altman, Senador Aaron Bean)
- SB 162: Reingreso al estado por parte de ciertas personas – Impide que cualquier persona que haya sido deportada alguna vez ingrese a Florida (Patrocinador: Senador Joe Gruters)
APOYO
- HB 457 / SB 1234: Requisitos de elegibilidad de los estudiantes para los premios estatales de ayuda financiera y las becas de asistencia de matrícula – Amplía la elegibilidad de becas y ayuda financiera para los beneficiarios de DACA y TPS (Patrocinadores: Representative Thad Altman, Senator Aaron Bean)
- HB 969 / SB 1538: Licencias de conducir y tarjetas de identificación – Permitirían a los inmigrantes, independientemente de su estatus migratorio, solicitar una licencia de conducir y una identificación estatal (Patrocinadores: Representante Dotie Joseph, Senador Jose Javier Rodriguez)
- HB 1303/SB 1566: Ley de Confianza de la Florida – Reconstruiría la confianza y la autonomía local en nuestras comunidades, evitando que las autoridades locales se vieran obligadas a trabajar con ICE (Patrocinadores: Representante Al Jacquet, Senador Victor M. Torres)
- HB 1137: No cumplimiento de las medidas de detención de inmigrantes y órdenes de inmigración no judiciales – Limits potential cooperation with local police and federal immigration enforcement (Patrocinadora: Representative Cindy Polo)
- SB 1538: Prevención de enfermedades causadas por el calor – Protección a los trabajadores agrícolas de las condiciones de calor extremo (Patrocinadores: Representante Carlos Guillermo Smith, Senador Victor Torres)
- HB 49 / SB 332: Dignidad para las mujeres encarceladas – Proporciona a las mujeres encarceladas y detenidas acceso a productos de salud y agrega requisitos de seguridad cuando interactúan con guardias (Patrocinadores: Representante Shevrin Jones, Representante Amy Mercado, Senador Jason Pizzo)
Únete a nosotros en Tallahassee
Una de las cosas más impactantes que puede hacer durante esta sesión legislativa es unirse a Tallahassee para compartir sus historias directamente con los legisladores. Deje que sus legisladores sepan cómo la legislación que están proponiendo afectaría a nuestras comunidades y conozca a algunos de los increíbles activistas que luchan por los derechos de los inmigrantes en todo el estado.
Próximas movilizaciones
- Día Internacional de la Mujer– 7-8 de marzo
- Día de las niñas negras en el Capitolio – del 13 al 15 de marzo
- Día musulmán en el capitolio – 4 de abril
- Somos Florida días de lobby – del 25 al 29 de marzo
Nan kreyòl
Jodya se kòmansman Sesyon 2019 Pouvwa Legislativ la nan Florida. Pou fanmi imigran ak refijye nan Floride yo, sitiyasyon an twò kritik pou nou kite l konsa N’ap fè fas ak anpil Pwojè Lwa ki se yon maleng spesyalman pou kominote nou an. Men tou, gen yon Lwa ki la pou defann ak fòs kominote imigran nou yo. Se pou sa m’ap travay nan Tallahassee avèk We Are Florida pou ke yo ka tande vwa nou nan kapital la.
Nou Se Florid se yon gwo regroupman Òganizasyon k’ap travay nan tout Peyi a pou fè respekte dwa nou. Men nou pa ka rive fè l san Èd ou. Kominote imigran ak refijye nou yo bezwen pou tout moun mete vwa ansanm, rete veyatif ak vin jwenn nou nan Tallahassee pou pale dirèkteman ak Moun k’ap fè lwa yo. M’ap enfòme nou nan tout sa k’ap fèt nan kapital la pandan peryòd lejislasyon sa a epi m’ap fè nou konnen ke nou ka rejwenn nou pou nou fè Florida vin yon pi bon kote pou nou tout habitan li yo.
Kèk Bill pou nou gade
Nou fè de (2) mobilizasyon deja nan nivo Leta peyi a pou eseye konbat Pwojè Lwa 168 la,mouvman k’ap fòse Reprezantan gouvènman yo kolabore avèk ICE, sa tou k’ap lakoz fanmi imigre yo egzile nan yon volim li pat ko janm ye avan. Pwojè Lwa sa San-Proteksyon ap devaste non sèlman kominote nou yo, menm Leta a tou.Menm Jan Paul DiMare, dezyem Prezidan “Immigration Partnership & Coalition Fund (Fon pou Patenarya ak koalisyon nan zafe imigrasyon)”, te ekri l nan Miami Herald Dimanch lan,li te di : Legislasyon sa menase dirèkteman bèl repitasyon ak akèy Floride la epi tou l’ap gen anpil konsekans grav pou ane k’ap vini yo.” Kontinye batay kont Pwojè Lwa sa ak sila ki ap mache ave l la tou, Lwa 527 la.
Men kèk nan Pwojè Lwa nou pral siveye nan Sesyon sa a. Nou pral kontinye a baw plis detay chak fwa gen yon nouvo Lwa ki ta depoze ankò.
LWA KI KONTRÈ
- HB 89/SB 164: Verifye Stati sila yo ki ka travay – Tout anplaye itilize systèm Verifikasyon Elektronik, sa konn koze erè, pou tout nouvo amplaye yo (Sponnsò: Reprezantan Thad Altman, Senatè Aaron Bean)
- SB 162: Gen moun ki rantre nan Leta ankò – Pou anpeche tout moun yo te ekzile antre nan Florida ankò (Sponnsò: Reprezantan Joe Gruters)
LWA KI SIPÒTE
- HB 457/SB 1234: Kondisyon pou w ka etidyan ak benefisye Bous Etid Leta ak Asistans pou kòb lekòl – Agrandi pwogram Bous Etid ak Èd ekonomik pou benefisyè DACA ak TPS (Sponnsò: Reprezantan Carlos Guillermo Smith, Reprezantan Fentrice Driskell, Senatris Annette Taddeo)
- HB 969/SB 1538: Pèmi kondwi ak Kat Idantite – Ta ka pèmèt imigran yo, kèlkeswa Stati imigrasyon yo, mande yon pèmi kondwi ak yon kat idantite Leta a. (Sponnsò: Reprezantan Dotie Joseph, Senatè Jose Javier Rodriguez)
- HB 1303/SB 1566: Florida Trust Act/ Ak Konfyans Leta Florida – Ta ka retabli konfyans ak endepandans otorite lokal nan kominote nou yo pandan n’ap divòse ak fason sèvis lokal yo ta fè itilizasyon fòs avèk otorite federal yo ki responsab pou aplike Lwa Imigrasyon. (Sponnsò: Reprezantan Al Jacquet, Senatè Victor M. Torres, Jr.)
- HB 1137: Pa aplike santans imigrasyon sou prizonye ak manda imigrasyon ki pa legal – Limite potansyèl kapasite koperasyon avèk lapolis lokal yo ak otorite federal ki responsab nan zafè imigrasyon an. (Sponnsò: Reprezantan Cindy Polo)
- SB 1538: Prevansyon sou maladi ke nou ka pran nan chalè – Protege moun k’ap travay nan jaden, moun k’ap travay nan konstriksyon, ak sila yo k’ap travay nan gwo chalè (Sponnsò: Senatè Victor Torres, Reprezantan Carlos Guillermo Smith)
- HB 49 / SB332: Dignite pou medam ki nan prizon yo – Bay medam ki nan prizon ak sila yo ki kondane yo aksè pou jwenn bon medikaman epi mete bon kondisyon sekirite lè yo ta an kontak avèk Sekirite Gason ki nan prizon yo a. (Sponnsò: Senatè Jason Pizzo, Reprezantan Shevrin Jones ak Amy Mercado)
Vin jwenn nou nan Tallahassee
Youn nan bagay ki pi enpòtan w ka fè pandan Sesyon sa a se vin jwenn nou nan Tallahassee pou pataje istwa w dirèkteman avek Legislatè yo. Fè Legislatè w yo konnen nan ki fason Lwa y’ap pwopoze yo ka gen yon repèkisyon negativ epi chache konnen kèk bon militan k’ap goumen pou fè respekte Dwa imigran nan tout Peyi a.
Mobilizasyon ki nan wout
- Jounen Entènasyonal Dwa Fanm – 7 pou rive 8 Mas
- Jounen Fanm Nwa nan Kapitòl – 13 pou rive 15 Mas
- Jounen Mizilman nan Kapitòl – 4 Avril
- Jounen Mobilizasyon We Are Florida – 25 pou rive 29 Mas