Author Archives: FLIC Communications Team

Give to Immigrants on #GiveMiamiDay

by

En Español Abajo

Give to FLIC on Give Miami Day

For the better part of the past year, we’ve been building for this moment. We’ve marched. We’ve organized. We’ve knocked on doors, and registered voters. We’ve informed voters about the issues affecting us and empowered our families in this election. Thanks to your support, we’re fighting back.

We’ve proved that we can do it, that we can mobilize our communities and get our voices heard. We’ve stood on the front lines in defense of families, DREAMers, TPS recipients and refugees.

None of our victories so far would have been possible without you. With your support, we can keep fighting strong. Together, we can build a better future for ALL Floridians, including immigrants.

Do you share our vision of creating a Florida where we can all work, live and love without fear? Today, Nov. 15, until midnight, donations between $25 to $10k made to FLIC through GiveMiamiDay.org may be matched with a bonus gift.

Done a FLIC en Give Miami Day

Hemos marchado, hemos organizado, hemos golpeado puertas y registrado votantes. Hemos informado a los votantes inmigrantes sobre los problemas que nos afectan y hemos empoderado a nuestras familias en esta elección. Gracias a su apoyo, nos estamos defendiendo.

Hemos demostrado que podemos hacerlo, que podemos movilizar a nuestras comunidades y hacer que se escuchen nuestras voces. Nos hemos mantenido en primera línea de defensa de las familias, los DREAMers, personas con TPS y los refugiados.

Ninguna de nuestras victorias hasta ahora hubiera sido posible sin ti. Con tu apoyo podremos continuar luchando fuertes. Juntos, podemos construir un mejor futuro para TODOS los floridanos, incluyendo los inmigrantes.

Hoy hasta la medianoche, las donaciones entre $25 y $10k hechas a FLIC a través de GiveMiamiDay.org pueden combinarse con un regalo adicional.

¿Compartes nuestra visión de crear una Florida donde todos podamos trabajar, vivir y amar sin miedo? Solo tenemos 24 horas para recaudar fondos que podríamos duplicar solo si haces su contribución este día.

FLIC Congress 2018: Nourishing Our Liberation

by

En Español Abajo

It Takes Roots to Weather the Storm

During FLIC Congress, over 200 members and allies of the grassroots get together for a weekend to share knowledge, learn and strategize on how to advance the rights of immigrants in the State of Florida. In these stormy times, we know we can count on our unity to give us the strength to weather the storm! Anyone can attend. Just bring your passion for immigrant rights and commitment to work for the fair treatment of ALL Floridians, including immigrants.

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! Do you have someone in mind? We’d love to connect with you further with details about the nomination process. 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.

Not a member? Find out how to become a member and join our fight to protect immigrant and refugees everywhere.

We’re so excited to be joining you for FLIC Congress. Information about elections, transportation options and more to come!

FLIC Congress 2018: Nourishing Our Liberation
Nov. 17 at 11 AM – Nov. 18 at 4 PM
United Methodist Life Enrichment Center
4991 Picciola Rd, Fruitland Park, FL 34731

 

Español

Más de 200 miembros y aliados nos reunimos por un fin de semana para compartir nuestros conocimientos, aprender  y crear estrategias en cómo hacer avances en los derechos de los inmigrantes en el estado de la Florida durante el congreso de La Coalición de Inmigrantes de la Florida. Sabemos que tenemos que contar con nuestra unión para fortalecernos durante estos tiempos tan inestables. Cualquier persona puede asistir. Solo tiene que traer su pasión para trabajar por los derechos de los inmigrantes y su compromiso a la lucha por el trato justo para todos los Floridianos incluyendo a los inmigrantes.

Si usted pertenece a alguna organización que forma parte de la Coalición de Inmigrantes de la Florida,  su organización tiene el derecho a votar para elegir el nuevo plan estratégico de la coalición para el siguiente año. ¡Usted también puede nominar a un miembro de su organización para que forme parte de la junta directiva! ¿Tiene a alguien en mente?  Nos gustaría hablar con usted para darle más información sobre el proceso de nominación. Si usted es un miembro individual, usted tiene el derecho de participar en la Asamblea General y en todos nuestros talleres.

¿No es miembro? Infórmese aquí cómo convertirse en uno  y unirse a la lucha para la protección de inmigrantes y refugiados en todo el mundo.

Estamos muy emocionados de que vaya a participar en el congreso de FLIC. ¡Los mantendremos informados sobre las elecciones, transporte y mucho más!

FLIC Congress: Nutriendo Nuestra Liberación
Nov. 17 at 11 AM – Nov. 18 at 4 PM
United Methodist Life Enrichment Center
4991 Picciola Rd, Fruitland Park, FL 34731

 

The Legislative Session ends, but the fight continues

by

We Are Florida

We Are Florida! Nou Se Florid! Somos Florida!

En Español Abajo

This week marks the end yet another aggressive legislative session, with the introduction of HB9/SB308 and HB45/SB212, two Trump-inspired anti-immigrant bills that threatened families in Florida. With the immense help of our members and allies, we fought back and won, showing that immigrants aren’t going anywhere, because We Are Florida!

We continue to prove that immigrants are a driving force in our state and that, together, we have the power to fight back. Thank you to the hundreds of fearless families, farmworkers, faith leaders, students and community members who called their legislators and mobilized to Tallahassee to share their stories. We learned, we cried, we danced and, most importantly, we protected our communities.

We thank Senator Anitere Flores, Senator Rene Garcia and Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez for standing up for our community and and coming out publicly against these bills, making it impossible for them even move through the Senate committee. We also thank our champions in the House, including including Reps. Al Jacquet, Amy Mercado, Carlos Smith and many others who stood up in committee meetings and on the House Floor to defend immigrant families and our local governments.

It has been an honor to work with every single one of you, and now that legislative session is behind us, we ask you to stay engaged with in the fight by connecting with our organizers. We are in a pivotal moment that requires strengthening our base and building a broad coalition of advocates dedicated to protecting our communities

Contact your local organizers:

Julio Calderon, South Florida: sflteam@floridaimmigrant.org
Pamela Gomez, Tampa: pamela@floridaimmigrant.org
Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez, Orlando: isabelsousa@floridaimmigrant.org

En Español

We Are Florida! Nou Se Florid! Somos Florida!

Este año marca otra sesión legislativa más agresiva, con la presentación de HB9 / SB308 y HB45 / SB212, dos proyectos de ley antiinmigrantes inspirados por Trump que amenazaron a las familias en Florida. Con la inmensa ayuda de nuestros miembros y aliados, luchamos y ganamos, demostrando que los inmigrantes no van a ninguna parte, ¡porque somos Florida!

Seguimos demostrando que los inmigrantes son una fuerza motriz en nuestro estado y que, juntos, tenemos el poder para defendernos. Gracias a los cientos de familias valientes, trabajadores agrícolas, líderes religiosos, estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad que llamaron a sus legisladores y se movilizaron a Tallahassee para compartir sus historias. Aprendimos, lloramos, bailamos y, lo más importante, protegimos a nuestras comunidades.

Agradecemos al Senador Anitere Flores, al Senador René García y al Senador José Javier Rodríguez por defender a nuestra comunidad y salir públicamente en contra de estos proyectos de ley, haciendo que sea imposible para ellos incluso avanzar a través del comité del Senado. También agradecemos a nuestros campeones en la Cámara, incluidos los representantes Al Jacquet, Amy Mercado, Carlos Smith y muchos otros que se pusieron de pie en las reuniones del comité y en el Piso de la Cámara para defender a las familias inmigrantes y nuestros gobiernos locales.

Ha sido un honor trabajar con cada uno de ustedes, y ahora que la sesión legislativa está detrás de nosotros, les pedimos que se mantengan involucrados en la lucha  conectándose con nuestros organizadores. Estamos en un momento crucial que requiere fortalecer nuestra base y construir una amplia coalición de defensores dedicados a proteger nuestras comunidades

Póngase en contacto con sus organizadores locales:

Julio Calderon, Sur de la Florida: sflteam@floridaimmigrant.org
Pamela Gomez, Tampa: pamela@floridaimmigrant.org
Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez, Orlando: isabelsousa@floridaimmigrant.org

Important New TPS Updates That May Affect You

by

Renew TPS Reminder

Time is running out to file a late re-registration of your TPS! Here’s what you need to know to renew.

Here are the Federal Register Notices with detailed instructions for TPS re-registration for each country. You will also need this letter to show that your current work permit was automatically extended and remains valid despite it’s current expiration date. Remember that you must file your I-821 re-registration (no fee) to keep your Temporary Protected Status protection up to date.

You have the option to pay to order a new work permit with an updated expiration date if you don’t want to carry one with an expired date by filing a I-765 and paying the $495 fees with a money order to the Department of Homeland Security.

Haiti Federal Register Notice

El Salvador Federal Register Notice

Honduras Federal Register Notice

Download a sample cover letter for your late re-registration.
Sample Late Re-registration Letter

There is important news for TPS recipients related to recent court battles

The following updates are from Steven Forester of the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti

Due to legal developments in the Ramos court case related to TPS:

  1. TPS for Haitians will virtually certainly NOT end on July 22, 2019; the government in early March will automatically extend it to approximately January 1, 2020, and quite possibly will do so for another nine months beyond that date, to September, 2020
  2. Haitians with TPS who didn’t re-register for it in 2017 or 2018 out of fear, confusion, or another good reason can and should seek to reregister now; the gov’t has agreed to give such applications “presumptive weight” as being filed late for good cause—meaning they should be granted and then entitled to the TPS extensions described above/below;

More Details:

As you know, DHS’s November 2017 decision ending Haiti TPS, with an 18-month grace period set to expire on July 22, 2019, is being challenged in four federal district court suits, including the Ramos litigation in San Francisco. On October 3, Judge Chen in Ramos issued a preliminary injunction (“PI”) in the plaintiffs’ favor, suspending as unconstitutional, while the injunction is in effect, implementation of DHS’s TPS termination decisions for Haiti, El Salvador, Sudan, and Nicaragua.

The U.S. government (“USG”) has appealed Judge Chen’s order to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals but has agreed, while the court’s order is in effect, to certain important measures. These measures are reflected in an October 31 Federal Register Notice (“FRN”) (“Continuation of Documentation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status Designations for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador”) or in a declaration filed in Ramos by a high-ranking USG official.

These important protective measures include the following:

  1. Automatic 9 month extensions, starting in April 2019, unless there is a loss at a court of appeals: “DHS will issue another Federal Register Notice approximately 30 days before April 2, 2019, that will extend TPS for an additional nine months from April 2, 2019, for all affected beneficiaries under the TPS designations for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador. DHS will continue to issue Federal Register Notices at nine-month intervals so long as the preliminary injunction remains in place and will continue its commitment to [an] orderly transition period, as described above.” (There’s no way the Ninth Circuit will decide by early March, much less the Supreme Court. So the early March additional Federal Register Notice referenced above will issue.)
  2. TPS work and legal status will be automatic for those registered—no need to pay for employment authorization cards or further registration: Under the agreement, for as long as the district court’s order is in place, people with TPS who have re-registered previously – or who re-register late – will not need to register again or apply for a new EAD. They can rely on their existing (to-be-expired) EAD or TPS approval notice, as well as the Federal Register Notice, as valid authorization to work or as proof of legal status in the United States. They do not need to pay any further money to the US government, and should not need to pay for additional legal assistance either.
  3. Re-registration possible—and likely guaranteed—for people who did not re-register during the Trump Administration: Crucially, Haitians with TPS who didn’t reregister in 2017 or 2018 due to fear or other good reason can successfully do so now! If they now reregister for TPS late for good cause, the USG will give their applications “presumptive weight” as being valid! This means that any Haitian TPS recipient who failed to reregister in 2017 or 2018 should be successful in doing so now — late — if they explain that they didn’t reregister on time due to fear, confusion, or other good reason. (This is extremely important for example for the estimated nearly 16,000 Haitians with TPS who let their TPS status lapse early this year by not trying to reregister!)
  4. No new terminations for these countries for now: The USG will not try to write new TPS termination notices for Haiti or the three other nations while the court’s orderremains valid.
  5. At least 6 months additional protection even if there is a loss at a higher court: “In the event the preliminary injunction is reversed and that reversal becomes final, DHS will allow for an orderly transition period,” which effectively amounts to about six months from the date of any such hypothetical future final, non-appealable order. This means that – if the district court’s order is overturned on appeal (at the court of appeals or the Supreme Court), the earliest that TPS holders from these countries could lose their legal status is about 6 months after the appeals court’s decision.

 

Anti-immigrant bill passes House Committee in Florida

by

En Espanol

Today, the Florida House Judiciary Committee voted in favor (10-7) of anti-immigrant bill HB9, which aims to legalize racial profiling while punishing local municipalities for protecting its residents. Even though a similar bill approved in Texas earlier this year has received national backlash and constitutional concerns, Florida legislators moved forward to threaten public safety and undermine local democracy by bringing Trump’s anti-immigrant policies to our state.

The bill, which was intentionally assigned to only one committee, limiting the opportunities for public comment, and sparking outrage in the community, can be taken up for a final vote on the House floor as early as January 9th the first day of the 2018 Legislative session.

Diverse advocates, led by Immigrant families mobilized to Tallahassee and filled the chambers to give heart-felt testimonies against the immoral and unconstitutional bill. They now turn their eyes to the Senate where reason in years past has prevailed.

The following are statements in response:

“Today we see what the legislature is trying to do to our communities. This bills persecute immigrant families and immigrant communities. They also make local governments job harder when it comes to public safety,” said State Senator José Javier Rodriguez on a press conference after the vote. “This has to end. We need to refocus on actually doing things FOR our communities instead of persecuting them.”

“They want our labor, our tax contributions and our consumer dollars, but they don’t want to recognize us as people with families. Forcing local police and local governments to become immigration agents doesn’t help anyone. In fact, HB9 will force immigrants who are victims of crimes to remain silent out of fear, increasing the distrust between vulnerable communities and law enforcement,” said Tirso Moreno, General Coordinator of the Farmworker Association of Florida.”

“Our legislators don’t get tired of trying to criminalize immigrant workers and separate millions of families. But they know we won’t get tired either. We are Florida and we will never accept any attack to our diverse communities, we will always stand together to protect our families and, at the polls, we will remember who stood with us,” says Maria Rodriguez, Executive Director for the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

Since 2011, the We Are Florida campaign led by the Florida Immigrant Coalition has mobilized and successfully defeated all anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bills. Farmworkers, labor unions, students and workers from across the state have pledged to use their voice and power to once again put a stop to anti-immigrant bills that hurt us all.

 

FLORIDA HOUSE TO VOTE ON ANTI-IMMIGRANT BILL

by

Immigrant families and advocates mobilize to the state’s capitol to speak against anti-immigrant bill, House Bill 9, scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, November 7th, 2017. Vans will be departing from Hialeah in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando.

Despite the national backlash and constitutional concerns that Texas faced after proposing a similar bill, Florida legislators threaten public safety and undermine local democracy by attempting to bring Trump’s anti-immigrant policies to our state.

“It’s immoral that legislators elected to protect our children, year after year, continue to propose bills that criminalize immigrant workers who are their parents, and cold-heartedly separate families,” said Lourdes Villanueva from Redland Christian Migrant Association and Board Chair of the Florida Immigrant Coalition “HB 9 would have serious human cost but also an economic impact on local industry and municipalities as law enforcement, city or county officers, and even school and college employees are required  to report undocumented immigrants.”

For the 2018 legislative session, the bill was intentionally assigned to only one committee, limiting the opportunities for public comment on it and sparking outrage in the community, especially after several local governments have adopted policies to protect immigrant families from Trump’s deportation machine.  

“We are actively mobilizing and educating immigrants to become conscious and active citizens and voters. We must pay close attention to policies that undermine the power of local government and weaken our democracy.” said Broward County Commissioner Dale Holeness.

Since 2011, the We Are Florida campaign led by the Florida Immigrant Coalition has mobilized and successfully defeated all anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bills. Farmworkers, labor unions, students and workers from across the state have pledged to use their voice and power to once again put a stop to anti-immigrant bills that hurt us all.

5 Years of DACA and the Future of TPS

by

Courtesy: Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami

Last week marked the five-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, which grants protection from deportation to many young immigrants.  In the five years since the announcement of DACA, an estimated 95% of DACA youth and young adults  are either working or attending school, contributing to their local communities and the economy.

On Thursday, the White House announced it would continue to leave the program untouched, maintaining the existing protections from deportation for nearly 800,000 “DREAMers.” While we at the Florida Immigrant Coalition celebrate the news that these young people are receiving the security that should be afforded to them, we remain highly vigilant of our Haitian brothers and sisters who have not been afforded these similar and necessary protections.

Temporary Protective Status (TPS) grants individuals hailing from certain designated countries struck by natural disasters or armed conflict, such as Haiti, with authorization to remain legally in the United States. More than 58,000 Haitians are members of the program, after a disastrous earthquake ravished the island in 2011. TPS allows for recipients to remain in the U.S. with valid work permits until the unrest in their country of origin abates.

While TPS extensions are normally offered for 18 months, the Trump administration disappointingly took the unprecedented step to shorten the duration of their protected status for only another six months. This six-month extension is not enough. The country is currently facing the worst cholera epidemic in the world, with about 40,000 people living in tent homes and makeshift shelters, while facing steep economic and political turmoil.

We encourage the administration to acknowledge the unrealistic term given to Haitian recipients, who are working and making a tangible contribution to our community and economy. Furthermore, we recognize that DACA and TPS fail to provide a plan toward legal integration of these communities to the this country where they have invested so much of their lives, skills, and dreams. True comprehensive immigration reform should comprise a pathway for these communities to realize their full potential as they advance toward citizenship.

Speak to your federal representative today and ask them what they are doing to #SaveTPS 202-224-3121.

VICTORY! All 9 anti-immigrant bills are defeated in Florida!

by

Haz click aqui para leerlo en espanol.

Florida’s Legislative sessions comes to an end as Immigrant rights advocates celebrate the defeat of all anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bills proposed. The 2017 session marks one of the most aggressive sessions with 9 Trump-Inspired bills ranging from the criminalization of immigrant by raising the penalties solely based on the person’s immigration status, to punishing city and counties for wanting to protect all of their residents.

March 8th, 2017- Over 200 women from across the state mobilize to Tallahassee for International Women’s Day in demand of health, dignity and justice.

The We Are Florida! campaign led by the Florida Immigrant Coalition and its members maintained constant presence, mobilizing hundreds of community members to the state’s capitol to remind legislators of the collective power of immigrants, workers, women and LGBT members .

“In a moment where hatred and discrimination is being normalized, our immigrant, Muslim and communities of colors stood together fighting back nine bills seeking to criminalize our families and legalize racial profiling in Florida,” said Francesca Menes, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “Time and time again, we see our very own Latino State Representatives selling out their own voters and supporting hateful legislation which has been legally challenged on constitutional grounds, and the courts continue to affirm local governments not being required to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.”

FLIC members and allies from the Redland Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), WeCount!, Farmworkers Association of Florida (FWAF), Young American Dreamers (YAD), Farmworker Self-Help from 6 counties across the state took over the Capitol.

One of the most highly debated bills, HB697,  threatened local democracy by stripping power away from local governments to protect its residents, threatening to withhold state funding and forcing a state-wide ban of sanctuary cities. The final party-line vote of 76 in favor to 41 against happened just days after a court blocked Trump’s executive order to withhold funds from Sanctuary Cities.  

“We find hypocritical for Latino legislators to claim to be proud of their heritage while allowing anti-immigrant legislation to progress in the state legislature and they will be held accountable,” said Daniel Barajas, Executive Director for the Young American Dreamers. “YAD continues to stand with other organizations across the state as we show these elected officials that our communities are not alone, and we’ll help them fight for the American dream.”

“It is good news that anti-immigrant bills did not pass this session but that does not excuse those representatives that voted for HB 697 in the House. We will remember, and continue the fight to recognize the full human rights of the immigrant community,” said Miguel Bernal, Vice President of WeCount! and FLIC board member.
Organizations involved in the We Are Florida! Campaign, pledged to work to educate and mobilize voters to ensure legislators closely reflect the needs of their communities.

 

2017 We Are Florida Legislative Report

by

The We Are Florida! campaign report is now available.  Click HERE to read the full report.

During the 2017 Florida Legislative Session over 9 anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bills were introduced. Within several of days of entering office, the 45th President, Trump signed executive orders on increasing border security, increasing interior immigration enforcement, threatening to withhold federal funding from states and localities who do not enforce federal immigration laws, and a Muslim travel ban. In Florida, House Bill (HB) 697 and Senate Bill (SB) 786, which were filed by Representative Larry Metz and Senator Aaron Bean, made similar attempts targeting “sanctuary jurisdictions,” threatening to withhold state funds from municipalities, remove elected officials from office, and enforce daily penalties upwards of $5,000 for localities who do not repeal their “sanctuary” policies.

This session, with the support of coalition members, allies and through grassroots advocacy efforts, We Are Florida! successfully defeated all nine anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bills that attempted criminalize immigrants in Florida and separate our families. This report provides an overview of the bills that the We Are Florida! campaign worked on during the 2017 Legislative Session in conjunction with Florida Immigrant Coalition, its members and allies.  Click HERE to read the full report.