Dear
Casa San José Amigos,
Welcome back to our weekly message! Here’s what’s new:
Welcome back to our weekly message! Here’s what’s new:
ACTION:
- If you're looking for a concrete way to help DACA recipients, here's an urgent one: donate to a fund that helps pay their renewal fees to USCIS. The $495 fee is a huge barrier in itself. The Philadelphia Foundation is helping PA is Ready! raise funds to support DACA application fees for Pennsylvania Dreamers who must apply by Oct. 5 to extend their legal status. Link to donate is here. These are tax-deductible and must be received by Sept. 25, 2017. There is a very tight window for renewal now for those whose permits are set to expire between now and March 5. Also, if you know any Dreamer who needs help with this cost, put them in touch with the Dreamers Initiative or 215-832-0636 ASAP.
- Stand up for DACA this Friday (tomorrow - Sept. 15) at the Action at Sen. Toomey's office downtown. From Monica: We are starting at the USW International Headquarters at 11:30 and will march over to Market Square. We are hoping to have 1 speaker (an actual Dreamer.) After the square we are marching up to Senator Toomey's office where we are hoping to have Fred Redmond speak. Should not take more than an hour.
- It's great to contact legislators to protest their actions against immigrants, but it's also good to thank those who support them. Here's what Senator Casey just said about DACA: "President Trump’s action today is an insult to America and our values. This action is profoundly unjust, immoral and without regard for basic fairness. Tearing apart the lives of these young people will make our nation less safe, and harm our economy." You can thank Senator Casey for speaking up, and while you're at it, ask him to co-sponsor the Dream Act here.
- Hope springs eternal: please also ask Senator Toomey to support the new Dream Act - his phone numbers are here. Numbers count, and Congress is working on this right now! "Immigration arms race begins on Capitol Hill."
HELP:
- Reserve your
tickets now (click here
to get them and more info.) for the super celebration "¡Que
Viva Clemente!" Saturday, Oct. 7 from 7-10 pm
at Alphabet City on the North Side. Proceeds go to support our
work at Casa San José. It's an annual celebration of
Hispanic Heritage Month and the legacy of the great humanitarian and
Pittsburgh Pirate Roberto Clemente, organized by the Pittsburgh chapter of
the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Guests
will enjoy wonderful Flamenco dance and music from Alba Flamenca and
deliciously authentic Latin American cuisine along with fine craft beer
and homemade sangria.
- 412 Resistance is hosting a 4.12K run/walk with proceeds going to Casa San José on Sunday, Oct. 8. Some of the funds raised will support those applying for DACA renewals. Location: Southside Riverview Park. Participants 12 and under register for free and each child will receive a thank you prize. Sign up here.
OUR STORY,
continued:
- In this video, three vibrant young DACA recipients - Luis, Norma, and Angeles - who were on the Casa San José trip to DC last week tell their stories.
NEWS:
- On Sunday, Sister Janice was presented with the Ohtli Award at the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia. It is an extraordinary recognition awarded by the Mexican Government to those who have "have dedicated much of their lives and efforts to the welfare of the Mexican community abroad, opening paths and opportunities." ¡Felicitaciones, Hermana Janice!
- For our immigrant community, Casa San José is sponsoring free DACA and "Know Your Rights" clinics as well as a community meeting this month to voice thoughts and concerns and get answers. More information is on our Facebook page.
SUGGESTED if
you'd like to read or see more:
- "The
Next DACA? Trump administration turns to another class of immigrants" , CNN, Sept. 11 - keep
an eye on TPS (Temporary Protected Status) which is also
under attack and affects 440,000 immigrants temporarily protected
from deportation because they are in danger in their home countries.
- "DACA offers no clearcut road map to US citizenship", Triblive, Sept. 10 - profiles DACA recipient Ana Alberto and tells why a permanent solution is needed, from a Pittsburgh perspective.
Thank you for joining us!
(Earlier
messages can be found here.)
