Our Work for Immigrant Rights
In February of this year ALMA hired Tania Unzueta to lead our LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Project. Made possible thanks to a grant from Hispanics in Philanthropy, this initiative seeks to highlight the common interests and intersections between the immigrant and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. Primarily, we will be continuing the work we started last year with a coalition of LGBT institutions working for immigraiton legislation and public policy that:
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Respects human and civil rights;
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Is inclusive of same-sex couples and LGBTQ individuals;
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Provides conditional path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S;
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Promotes family unity, including for same-sex partners;
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Guarantees that immigrants and U.S. citizens are free from arbitrary detention;
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Supports immigrant integration into U.S. society;
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Eliminates inhumane conditions that immigrants face in detention centers;
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Reforms ineffective and expensive border enforcement strategies.
Together with allies we will be working to engage our communities in immigrant rights work that is inclusive of LGBTQ people, through collaboration, education, and resource sharing. We will also work to put pressure on elected officials to advocate for policy that promotes immigrant rights and is inclusive of LGBTQ people. We believe that this work is crucial as the denials of basic rights to LGBTQ people and immigrants stem from common sources exploiting fear based on prejudice and ignorance of our intersecting experiences. For these practical reasons alone, LGBTQ people and immigrants must work together to prevent the ascendancy of the hate, fear, and exclusion that threatens both communities.
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No Safety for Trans Detainees
One of the intersections between immigrant and LGBT rights takes place in our country's detention centers. The National Immigrant Justice Center, one of ALMA's partners in the coalition recently filed a law suit on behalf of seven transgender immigrant clients. In the law suit they tell stories of being subject to cruel conditions while they were in immigration detention.
The complaint includes testimonies about sexual assault, denial of adequate medial care, long-term solitary confinement, discrimination and abuse, and ineffective complaints. Amongst their recommendations is that ICE stop detaining sexual minorities because it cannot insure safe and humane conditions in detention.
Read the Complaint
Sign the Petition
Read a News Article
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State Bills Could Improve Lives
There are currently two bills that immigrant rights organizations in Illinois are hoping to get past the state senate as soon as May 4th. One is the Illinois DREAM Act, which although it is not a path to legalization would open up some educational avenues for undocumented students, such as cholarship funds and training for high school counselors.
The other is the Smart Enforcement Act, an attempt to reduce the number of immigrants with no criminal background in deportation proceedings. It specifically targets the "Secure Communities" program, an initiative that has been proved to be problematic with allegations of racial profiling and civil rights violations. There will be a vote on these bills as soon as May 4th. This campaign is spearheade by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR).
Sign the Petition
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ALMA Scholarship
Take a look at what else ALMA is doing. The first thing you should know is that we are offering a $1,000 dollar scholarship to two bisexual, gay, or queer Latinos currently in high school or college. There is no citizenship requirement, so undocumented youth are also encouraged to apply. We are past the deadline (although it has been extended), so apply ASAP!
Download Application
Cvil Unions Forum
In collaboration with Equality Illinois ALMA will be hosting a panel on civil unions in Spanish in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. It will take place May 16th, 2011 at the Humboldt Park Public Library (1605 N. Troy St).
More info
Other Forums
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