Families are calling for Biden to apologize for the 3 million family separations he oversaw while in the White House, and commit to using his executive authority to end all detention and deportation on day one, if elected President.  They will be joined by allies who will be sitting in at Biden’s campaign offices, refusing to leave until the campaign speaks with the families.  

Philadelphia- Immigrant families whose loved ones were among the 3,000,000 deported while Former Vice President Biden was in the White House plan sit in at Biden campaign headquarters in Philadelphia on Wednesday. They are demanding Biden to apologize for separating their families, and commit that, if elected president in 2020, he would use his executive authority to put an immediate end to all immigrant detention and deportations. Families are also calling for Biden to commit to bringing home loved ones that were unjustly deported by the last two administrations. 

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2019
Media Contact: Catalina Santiago, (857) 271-6926,  Cosechamedia@gmail.com

Thousands march on May 1 to demand Drivers Licenses for all Immigrants

Businesses close, communities confront politicians, and thousands march on May 1st in support of drivers licenses.

NATIONWIDE - Undocumented immigrants from Movimiento Cosecha in Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, and New Jersey have taken to the streets on May Day, May 1st, to express their struggles and frustrations for not having access to a driver’s license.  Every day mothers and fathers leave home without knowing if this will be the last time they will see their family. What may appear as a simple traffic violation can turn into an arrest, detention, and deportation. Undocumented immigrants are tired of living in fear everyday when they walk out their doors, and have decided to take action today to demand access to driver’s licenses and put an to end to deportations and family separation.

The immigrant community is organizing people power to bring immigrant workers, families, business owners, and their allies together under one movement for the 11 million. Today, each of these May 1st events will once again serve as the vehicle for all who stand with immigrants to unite and continue the uphill battle for dignity, respect, and permanent protection for all immigrants.

Countless industries depend on the labor and buying power of undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants are forced to drive without a driver’s license due to state documentation requirements, but do so anyway out of necessity for their families. The immigrant  community is now fighting against the fear of being detained by police officers for merely dropping their children off at school, taking their children to the hospital, or driving to work. They are tired of living in constant vigilance, worried about the possibility of seeing flashing red and blue lights which can foreshadow a deportation, funneling the undocumented community into the vicious mouth of the family separation apparatus. 

Movimiento Cosecha does not stand alone in the pursuit of driving without fear. It is one small step towards Cosecha’s ultimate goal of permanent protection for all immigrants. The immigrant community is organizing to obtain Driver’s Licenses for All across the country as part of this step. Twelve states and Washington DC have granted driver’s licenses for the undocumented community because the community organized and spoke out: there are over 30 states who are left behind. Voces Sin Fronteras is determined to make Wisconsin the 13th state to grant licenses to undocumented immigrants, arranging a massive mobilization effort on May Day

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Movimiento Cosecha is a nonviolent movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity, and respect for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Our name, "harvest" in Spanish, honors the long tradition of farmworker organizing and the present-day pain of the thousands of undocumented workers whose labor continues to feed the country. Committed to winning real victories for our community, Cosecha believes in using non-cooperation to leverage the power of immigrant labor and consumption and force a meaningful shift in public opinion.

CREDO Action, part ofCREDO Mobile, is a social change network of millions of activists, sending tens of millions of petition signatures and hundreds of thousands of phone calls to decision-makers each year. CREDO Action members also participate in meetings, protests and other direct action for progressive change.

For Immediate Release 
Date: Monday April 1st, 2019

Immigrant Leaders in Michigan, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Georgia, and Indiana call for coordinated actions on May 1st to amplify Statewide “Driving Without Fear”Campaigns  

As statewide immigrant led Driver Licenses campaigns gain momentum across the Country, the Cosecha Movement launches the first ever Driving Without Fear National Network

Nationwide - Across the country, immigrant leaders are demanding that states pass legislation that would allow immigrant families to apply for driver licenses. In the absence of any meaningful chance to win legalization at the federal level, “Driving Without Fear” campaigns are gaining momentum across the country. Leaders of state and county wide campaigns across the country have come together to launch a national “Driving Without Fear” campaign and are calling for coordinated actions this May 1st, 2019. The national “Driving Without Fear” network is a project of the Cosecha Movement, which is running campaigns in Michigan, Massachusetts and New Jersey demanding for driver’s licenses and county campaigns in Georgia and Indiana demanding the stop of arrests for driving without a license; Cosecha leaders have launched this effort to bring together others like them leading the fight for undocumented families and workers in the United States to drive without fear.

In cities across America, millions of parents and workers get up every morning to work and take their children to school. Families set out to buy groceries, take their children to the hospital when they are sick, or go to parks and malls to spend time together. But millions of undocumented immigrants fear sitting behind the wheel of a car because everyday things can lead to an arrest for not having license - children and parents alike tensing up and hold their breath everytime a police officer drives by. For many it means saying no to opportunities, taking long bus rides or walks that keeps them away from home, it means spending thousands a year in paying for “rides” - but for many others this is not a choice, and they are sentenced to driving with fear everyday. This is why immigrants across the United States are organizing and demanding their right to drive without fear.

In a time when abuse against our community continues to increase and expand and no one is talking about a permanent solution for our community, Cosecha leaders are not letting this administration’s policies and rhetoric define their lives and choosing to continue to fight. Undocumented immigrants are leading their own struggle, bringing their families, their friends, their co-workers, and communities together to demand their right to “Drive Without Fear”. Immigrant leaders around the country are saying “Licencias Hoy, Papeles Manana” (Licenses Today, Papers Tomorrow) because they know that fighting for their right to drive without fear is only a first step in a longer path towards permanent protection, dignity, and respect. They have seen the energy bubbling across the country and are calling for other leaders to join them as part of a support network to support each other, learn and lead together.

“We need licenses because it’s a need and not a privilege or a luxury that we want just to want. We need to work, buy groceries, take our kids to school. We must be conscious and come out to march. We cannot be afraid because fear won’t give us anything, we already left our countries to come here so we can come out and march on May 1st.” - Norma from Cosecha New Jersey

On May 1st, the immigrant community will take coordinated action and take to the streets to demand their right to drive without fear. In places like Perth Amboy, NJ businesses will be closing and hundreds from across the state will come together to demand that legislators keep their promises and pass driver’s license legislation. In Grand Rapids, MI thousands will take to the streets to join coordinated actions across the state and demand that the state reinstate driver licenses for the community. 

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Comunicado de Prensa

Fecha: Lunes, 1ero de Abril, 2019

Contacto de Prensa: Cata Santiago - (857) 271-6926 - cosechamedia@gmail.com 

Líderes Inmigrantes en Michigan, Massachusetts, Nueva Jersey, Georgia, e Indiana Exigen Poder Manejar Sin Miedo y Llaman por “Un Dia Sin Inmigrantes” este 1ro de Mayo

Crean red de apoyo para líderes luchando en campanas para “Manejar Sin Miedo”  

Nacional- Líderes de compañías estatales y a nivel de condado a través del país se han unido para lanzar la campaña de “Manejando Sin Miedo” y llaman a acciones coordinadas este 1ro de Mayo. Con campanas en Michigan, Massachusetts, Nueva Jersey exigiendo licencias de conducir y campañas a nivel de condado en Georgia e Indiana exigiendo el pare a los arrestos por manejar sin licencia; Líderes de Cosecha han creado una red de apoyo para unir a personas como ellos que están luchando por el derecho de que familias y trabajadores indocumentados puedan manejar sin miedo en los Estados Unidos.

En ciudades alrededor de Estados Unidos, millones de padres y trabajadores se levantan todas las mañanas para ir a trabajar o llevar a los niños a la escuela. Familias van a hacer las compras, llevan a sus hijos al hospital cuando están enfermos, o van a tiendas o parques para pasar tiempo juntos. Pero millones de inmigrantes indocumentados temen sentarse detras del timon porqué actividades comunes pueden llevar a un arresto por no tener una licensia - niños y padres con miedo cada vez que un oficial de policía pasa a lado nuestro. Para muchos significa decirle no a oportunidades, o tomar horas en autobuses o caminando que los mantiene lejos de  casa por más tiempo, significa miles de dólares al año para pagar por “rides” - pero para muchos otros más estas no son opciones y son sentenciados a manejar con miedo todos los días. Es por esto que inmigrantes se están organizando para demandar su derecho a manejar sin miedo.

En tiempos cuando los ataques en contra de nuestra comunidad va en aumento y nadie esta hablando de una reforma migratoria para la comunidad indocumentada, líderes de Cosecha no están dejando que las pólizas o la retórica de esta administración defina sus vidas y han escogido seguir luchando. Inmigrantes indocumentados están liderando su propia lucha, uniendo a sus familias, amigos, compañeros de trabajo y comunidades para demandar su derecho de “Manejar Sin Miedo”. Cosecheros alrededor del país están diciendo “Licencias Hoy, Papeles Mañana” porque saber que la lucha para manejar sin miedo es solo un primer paso en un camino más largo hacia la protección permanente, dignidad, y respeto. Han visto la energía de la comunidad en otras partes del país y están llamando a otros líderes realizando el mismo trabajo ha que se unan este 1ro de Mayo y que se apoyen, aprendan, y lideren juntos como parte de la red de apoyo.

“Necesitamos esas licencias porque es una necesidad, no es un privilegio o un gusto que tengamos por tener nada más. Necesitamos ir a trabajar, hacer compras, y llevar a los hijos a la escuela. Hagamos conciencia y salgamos a marchar. No tengamos miedo, el miedo no nos dará nada - si ya salimos de nuestros países para llegar aquí podemos salir a marchar el 1ro de Mayo” - Norma de Cosecha New Jersey

Este 1ro de Mayo, la comunidad inmigrante tomará acciones coordinadas y saldrá a las calles para exigir su derecho a manejar sin miedo. En lugares como Perth Amboy, NJ negocios cerraran y miles de todas partes del estado se unieran para exigir que legisladores mantengan sus promesas y pasen la legislación para licencias de conducir. En Grand Rapids, MI miles saldrán a las calles para unirse a las acciones coordinadas en el estado que exigen que el estado restituya las licencias de conducir para la comunidad. A través de cada campaña con acciones coordinadas en múltiples ciudades exigiremos lo mismo - nuestro derecho a manejar sin miedo.

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www.ManejandoSinMiedo.com

Cosecha is a nonviolent movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity, and respect for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Our name, "harvest" in Spanish, honors the long tradition of farmworker organizing and the present-day pain of the thousands of undocumented workers whose labor continues to feed the country. Committed to winning real victories for our community, Cosecha believes in using non-cooperation to leverage the power of immigrant labor and consumption and force a meaningful shift in public opinion.

Dozens of immigrant rights activists are Occupying the Amazon Store in NYC, demanding they stop selling their technology to ICE

Immigrant rights organizers have shut down and Amazon Store in New York City to demand that Amazon stop selling ICE technology that is being used to detain and deport immigrant families. They are calling for national day of action against ICE on July 31 to show that the American public refuses to cooperate with ICE and the separation of immigrant families.

New York, NY - Immigrants rights activists are currently occupying the Columbus Circle Amazon store. They store has been closed for over an hour after activists blocked the doors and demanded Amazon put immigrant families over profits and stop selling their technology to firms that work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

This action follows the lead of Amazon employees who are refusing “contribute to tools that violate human rights” and are calling for the termination of Amazon’s contracts with firms that work with ICE. In an open letter, Amazon employees reference how IBM’s technology was “employed in the 1940s to help Hitler” and say they must act before it is too late.

“I cannot be a bystander as Amazon facilitates the criminalization of my immigrant community,” said Cata Santiago, an organizer with Cosecha. “I won’t be complicit as Amazon upholds the ICE deportation machine. It is our moral duty to stop cooperating with ICE and demand the institutions we are part of do the same.”

ICE relies on government institutions and companies to function day in and day out. Mayors and county commissioners sign contracts with ICE allowing them to use jails to detain families. Companies like Amazon sell their technology to ICE. Airlines transport detainees across the country. Local departments of labor, school districts, DMVs, and hospital share data with ICE. These institutions are complicit in the persecution of undocumented people. Cosecha is launching a nationwide campaign demanding all institutions and companies stop doing business with ICE and make it known that #WeWontBeComplicit with the ICE deportation machine.

“It is our moral duty to demand that our local government agencies, counties, and mayors, and companies all stop doing business with ICE and stop enabling ICE’s persecution of immigrants. We can make it much harder for ICE to function. We all have a role to play,” said Cata Santiago.

Press Release

September 9th

Media Contact: Lucia Allain, 646 488 5919, cosechamedia@gmail.com

Thousands in NYC Rally and Sit In NYC In Response To DACA Repeal

The rally follows a civil disobedience action at Trump Tower on Tuesday in which 9 DACA recipients and 25 allies were arrested, as Sessions announced the Trump Administration’s repeal of DACA

Thousands of New Yorkers are gathering at Trump International Hotel near Columbus Circle in New York City in response to the repeal of DACA. They are demanding permanent protection, dignity, and respect for DACA recipients and the entire immigrant community. At 3:00 PM EST, the crowd of thousands began an 11-minute sit-in for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

“We are angry for all the young undocumented immigrants that haven’t turned 16 yet and are waiting to apply for DACA. We are angry, for all the DACA parents that could lose the job that supported their family. We are angry, for all the plans that DACA recipients had that now seem impossible. But we are also strong; and no politician- not Trump, not Paxton- can take that away from us. Our strength and resilience have never depended on a work permit,” said Thais Marques, a spokesperson for Movimiento Cosecha.

The repeal of DACA, together with the likely repeal of TPS, means that over a million immigrant workers stand to lose their jobs. It means massive layoffs across the country, at an unprecedented scale. Over the course of the next two years, an average of 1,400 DACA workers will lose their jobs every single day. DACA and TPS recipients with families that depend on them to get by will no longer be able to support their parents and children. “Today’s announcement means we must brace ourselves for what is soon to become an economic crisis in our community.” said Marques. Starting tomorrow, there will be many who will walk into work, knowing they may soon lose their jobs. In the coming weeks and months, we will need to be there for eachother. We will need to help protect one another in the workplace. We will need to fight to stop DACAmented workers from getting fired, and raise money to support our families. We cannot be silent through this crisis, nor will any of us be able to get through it alone.

“Every single day, more DACA recipients will be losing their work permits and protection from deportation. We cannot wait for congress to act. For the last 20 years, politicians in Washington DC have made promise after promise to pass legislation that would grant permanent protection to our community. For the last 20 years we have watched with baited breath as negotiations fail and bills die. For the last 20 years we have seen both Republicans and Democrats failing to make good on their promises to the immigrant community. The only way we will be able to win permanent protection is if we come out in mass numbers.” said Maria Fernanda Cabello, a DACA recipient who was arrested at today’s action. “We are doing this to tell DACA holders everyone that now is the time. There are so many of us. We need to come together, to be visible, to be heard. Our community is in crisis and we need you.”  

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Cosecha is a new national movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States through mass economic noncooperation.

Media Advisory

September 8th

Media Contact: Lucia Allain, 646 488 5919, cosechamedia@gmail.com            

Thousands Expected To Join NYC Rally In Response To DACA Repeal

The rally follows a civil disobedience action at Trump Tower on Tuesday in which 9 DACA recipients and 25 allies were arrested, as Sessions announced the Trump Administration’s repeal of DACA

“We are angry for all the young undocumented immigrants that haven’t turned 16 yet and are waiting to apply for DACA. We are angry, for all the DACA parents that could lose the job that supported their family. We are angry, for all the plans that DACA recipients had that now seem impossible. But we are also strong; and no politician- not Trump, not Paxton- can take that away from us. Our strength and resilience have never depended on a work permit,” said Thais Marques, a spokesperson for Movimiento Cosecha.

Who: Movimiento Cosecha, DACA recipients, immigrant workers and allies

What: Rally and March

When: Saturday September 9th at 2pm

Where: Begins at Columbus Circle, NY

The repeal of DACA, together with the likely repeal of TPS, means that over a million immigrant workers stand to lose their jobs. It means massive layoffs across the country, at an unprecedented scale. Over the course of the next two years, an average of 1,400 DACA workers will lose their jobs every single day. DACA and TPS recipients with families that depend on them to get by will no longer be able to support their parents and children. “Today’s announcement means we must brace ourselves for what is soon to become an economic crisis in our community.” said Marques. Starting tomorrow, there will be many who will walk into work, knowing they may soon lose their jobs. In the coming weeks and months, we will need to be there for eachother. We will need to help protect one another in the workplace. We will need to fight to stop DACAmented workers from getting fired, and raise money to support our families. We cannot be silent through this crisis, nor will any of us be able to get through it alone.

“Every single day, more DACA recipients will be losing their work permits and protection from deportation. We cannot wait for congress to act. For the last 20 years, politicians in Washington DC have made promise after promise to pass legislation that would grant permanent protection to our community. For the last 20 years we have watched with baited breath as negotiations fail and bills die. For the last 20 years we have seen both Republicans and Democrats failing to make good on their promises to the immigrant community. The only way we will be able to win permanent protection is if we come out in mass numbers.” said Maria Fernanda Cabello, a DACA recipient who was arrested at today’s action. “We are doing this to tell DACA holders everyone that now is the time. There are so many of us. We need to come together, to be visible, to be heard. Our community is in crisis and we need you.”   

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Cosecha is a new national movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States through mass economic noncooperation.

Click for PDF of this release

22 Allies Arrested This Afternoon To Call For Immediate Release Of All 9 Undocumented Youth Arrested This Morning; 34 Arrested In Total As Trump Administration Repeals DACA

To help defend undocumented youth from ICE retaliation, allies are prepared to participate in a second wave of escalated action if DACA recipients are not released by the afternoon. They will be refusing to leave jail until all nine DACA recipients are released.

In response to President Trump’s decision to repeal DACA, nine undocumented youth were arrested at Trump Tower in a civil disobedience on Tuesday morning at 11:30. For the DACA recipients participating in this action, the threat of facing ICE retaliation is real- just as it was seven years ago when the first undocumented youth began risking arrest and coming out as ‘Undocumented and Unafraid’. Hundreds of immigrant workers, DACA recipients and allies rally in support.

“We are angry for all the young undocumented immigrants that haven’t turned 16 yet and are waiting to apply for DACA. We are angry, for all the DACA parents that could lose the job that supported their family. We are angry, for all the plans that DACA recipients had that now seem impossible. But we are also strong; and no politician- not Trump, not Paxton- can take that away from us. Our strength and resilience have never depended on a work permit,” said Thais Marques, a spokesperson for Movimiento Cosecha.

The repeal of DACA, together with the likely repeal of TPS, means that over a million immigrant workers stand to lose their jobs. It means massive layoffs across the country, at an unprecedented scale. Over the course of the next two years, an average of 1,400 DACA workers will lose their jobs every single day. DACA and TPS recipients with families that depend on them to get by will no longer be able to support their parents and children. “Today’s announcement means we must brace ourselves for what is soon to become an economic crisis in our community.” said Marques. Starting tomorrow, there will be many who will walk into work, knowing they may soon lose their jobs. In the coming weeks and months, we will need to be there for eachother. We will need to help protect one another in the workplace. We will need to fight to stop DACAmented workers from getting fired, and raise money to support our families. We cannot be silent through this crisis, nor will any of us be able to get through it alone.

“Every single day, more DACA recipients will be losing their work permits and protection from deportation. We cannot wait for congress to act. For the last 20 years, politicians in Washington DC have made promise after promise to pass legislation that would grant permanent protection to our community. For the last 20 years we have watched with baited breath as negotiations fail and bills die. For the last 20 years we have seen both Republicans and Democrats failing to make good on their promises to the immigrant community. The only way we will be able to win permanent protection is if we come out in mass numbers.” said Maria Fernanda Cabello, a DACA recipient who was arrested at today’s action. “We are doing this to tell DACA holders everyone that now is the time. There are so many of us. We need to come together, to be visible, to be heard. Our community is in crisis and we need you.”  

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Cosecha is a new national movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States through mass economic noncooperation.

Nine DACA Recipients Along With Three Allies Arrested In Sit-In At Trump Tower Moments After Sessions Announces Repeal of DACA

To help defend undocumented youth from ICE retaliation, allies are prepared to participate in a second wave of escalated action if DACA recipients are not released by the afternoon. They will be refusing to leave jail until all nine DACA recipients are released.

In response to President Trump’s decision to repeal DACA, nine undocumented youth were arrested at Trump Tower in a civil disobedience on Tuesday morning at 11:30. For the DACA recipients participating in this action, the threat of facing ICE retaliation is real- just as it was seven years ago when the first undocumented youth began risking arrest and coming out as ‘Undocumented and Unafraid’. Hundreds of immigrant workers, DACA recipients and allies rally in support.

“We are angry for all the young undocumented immigrants that haven’t turned 16 yet and are waiting to apply for DACA. We are angry, for all the DACA parents that could lose the job that supported their family. We are angry, for all the plans that DACA recipients had that now seem impossible. But we are also strong; and no politician- not Trump, not Paxton- can take that away from us. Our strength and resilience have never depended on a work permit,” said Thais Marques, a spokesperson for Movimiento Cosecha.

The repeal of DACA, together with the likely repeal of TPS, means that over a million immigrant workers stand to lose their jobs. It means massive layoffs across the country, at an unprecedented scale. Over the course of the next two years, an average of 1,400 DACA workers will lose their jobs every single day. DACA and TPS recipients with families that depend on them to get by will no longer be able to support their parents and children. “Today’s announcement means we must brace ourselves for what is soon to become an economic crisis in our community.” said Marques. Starting tomorrow, there will be many who will walk into work, knowing they may soon lose their jobs. In the coming weeks and months, we will need to be there for eachother. We will need to help protect one another in the workplace. We will need to fight to stop DACAmented workers from getting fired, and raise money to support our families. We cannot be silent through this crisis, nor will any of us be able to get through it alone.

“Every single day, more DACA recipients will be losing their work permits and protection from deportation. We cannot wait for congress to act. For the last 20 years, politicians in Washington DC have made promise after promise to pass legislation that would grant permanent protection to our community. For the last 20 years we have watched with baited breath as negotiations fail and bills die. For the last 20 years we have seen both Republicans and Democrats failing to make good on their promises to the immigrant community. The only way we will be able to win permanent protection is if we come out in mass numbers.” said Maria Fernanda Cabello, a DACA recipient who was arrested at today’s action. “We are doing this to tell DACA holders everyone that now is the time. There are so many of us. We need to come together, to be visible, to be heard. Our community is in crisis and we need you.”  

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Cosecha is a new national movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States through mass economic noncooperation.

DACA Recipients And Allies Respond To Potential DACA Repeal With Mass Civil Disobedience at Trump Tower

In response to President Trump’s forthcoming announcement on the future of DACA, dozens prepare for a sit in at Trump Tower, joined by thousands of supporters. For the DACA recipients participating in this action, the threat of facing ICE retaliation is real- just as it was seven years ago when the first undocumented youth began risking arrest. Allies participating in the action are refusing to leave the jail until all DACA recipients are released.

Who: Undocumented youth, immigrant workers and allies

What: Mass sit in at Trump Tower, Rally & Student Walkouts

When: Action begins at 11:00am, spokespeople will be available for interviews starting at 10am at 59th street and 5th avenue

Where: Crowd will gather at 59th and 5th avenue, New York, NY

“We are angry for all the young undocumented immigrants that haven’t turned 16 yet and are waiting to apply for DACA. We are angry, for all the DACA parents that could lose the job that supported their family. We are angry, for all the plans that DACA recipients had that now seem impossible. But we are also strong; and no politician- not Trump, not Paxton- can take that away from us. Our strength and resilience have never depended on a work permit,” said Thais Marques, a spokesperson for Movimiento Cosecha.

The potential repeal of DACA and TPS means that over a million immigrant workers stand to lose their jobs. It means massive layoffs across the country, at an unprecedented scale. Over the course of the next two years, an average of 1,400 DACA workers will lose their jobs every single day. DACA and TPS recipients with families that depend on them to get by will no longer be able to support their parents and children. “Today’s announcement means we must brace ourselves for what is soon to become an economic crisis in our community,” said Marques.

**Pre-action interviews available upon request**   

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Cosecha is a new national movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States through mass economic noncooperation.

Press Release: Undocumented Youth and Community March Over 70 Miles Charlottesville to Richmond Calling for Permanent Protection, Dignity, and Respect

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Lizzette Arias, 5712450016, lizzettea@gmail.com

Secondary Contact, Vera Parra, 917-519-7656, veraeparra@gmail.com

Following rumors that the Trump Administration plans to repeal DACA (Deferred Action For Early Childhood Arrivals) as early as this week, undocumented youth and community members launched a 4 day march calling for permanent protection for all 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Richmond, August 8th, 2017- Today, Dreamers of Virginia and the immigrant community concluded a 4 day walk from Charlottesville to Richmond, entitled #RiseUpVA. The walk comes as a response to increased threats against the immigrant community, including the repeal of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and TPS (Temporary Protective Status) by the Trump administration. Ten state attorneys general have requested that the administration phase out DACA in a letter that set a deadline of September 5 for the administration to announce its path forward.

A repeal of DACA would put over 22,000 undocumented students and working professionals in Virginia under the threat of deportation. Additionally, close to 1,300 current students of Virginia colleges would likely be unable to continue studies due to the ripple effects of a DACA repeal.

“We cannot continue to sit, wait and watch politicians use our future as a bargaining chip. We won’t wait to be granted the dignity, respect and permanent protection that we deserve, while having our families hide in the shadows. We need our brothers and sisters, undocumented and not, to step up and demand that we all be recognized and protected,” said Jacky Cortez, co-founder of DOV, lead organizer, and current UVA student.

“For too long the immigrant community has not been seen or treated as first and foremost humans,” said Lizzette Arias, a co-founder of Dreamers of Virginia. “This is why we organized the #RiseUpVA walk.” #RiseUpVA aims to send a message of urgency for all immigrants to join the fight for protection from deportation, given the the escalating attacks against immigrants and communities of color. Walkers began their 4 day march in Charlottesville, where clergy and counter-protesters stood up to white supremacists.

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Photos, video, and interviews available upon request

Click here for a PDF of this release. 

This action comes in response to the recent threats facing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. This is the first time undocumented youth participate in a civil disobedience action since Trump took office in January.

Austin, TX- Immigrant youth from across the country converged in Texas on Wednesday to participate in a civil disobedience action and pledge their renewed commitment to winning permanent protection, dignity and respect for all eleven million undocumented immigrants. Four DACA recipients, and eleven allies were arrested, blocking traffic in front of the State Capitol.

For the DACAmented young people participating in this action, the threat of facing ICE retaliation is real- just as it was seven years ago when the first undocumented youth began risking arrest.  Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez have said that the police department does not transfer immigrants over to ICE and we expect them to honor that commitment. Allies participating in the action are refusing to leave the jail until all four DACA recipients are released.

Texas has become the battleground state in the struggle for immigrant rights in the Trump era. It leads the country in mass deportations and recently passed SB4, the most anti-immigrant statewide law. It was Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who spearheaded the call for the repeal of DACA. The immigrant community in Texas and across the country are confronting these attacks head on.

“With DACA under threat, we know that some will put their hope in DC politicians. But we also know that we won DACA not because of any politician, but because our community took fearless action. We marched, we walked-out, we stopped deportations and shut down detention centers. We took risks and put our bodies on the line to tell the people of this country that we were ‘Undocumented, Unafraid, and Unapologetic,’” said Maria Fernanda Cabello, a DACA recipient and spokesperson for Cosecha. “For the last 20 years, Republicans and Democrats have failed to deliver on promise after promise to the immigrant community.  We will not put our trust in them. We are putting our faith in our people. Taking brave action has been the only thing that has never failed us.”

“I want my community to know that politicians do not get to decide who is deserving of dignity and who is not,” said Catalina Santiago, a DACA recipient arrested in today’s action. “DACA is under attack while my parents, who are farmworkers, were never even given the temporary protection DACA provides.  I am getting arrested today to tell my parents, my community, and the rest of the 11 million that no matter what politicians say, you are worthy and we will not settle for the crumbs they offer us in exchange for being the economic and labor force that sustains this country day in and day out.”

Media Contact: Lucia Allain, cosechamedia@gmail.com

Immigrant Youth From Across The Country Come To Texas For First Undocumented Led Escalated Action Under The Trump Administration  

This action comes in response to the recent threats facing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and the introduction to the DREAM Act bill in Congress

Austin, TX- Immigrant youth from across the country are gathering in Texas to take escalated action and pledge their renewed commitment to winning permanent protection, dignity and respect for all 11 million undocumented immigrants.

What: The first and largest undocumented led direct action since Trump’s inauguration.

When: Wednesday, July 26th

Texas has become the battleground state in the struggle for immigrant rights in the Trump era. It leads the country on mass deportations and recently passed the most anti-immigrant statewide law. It was Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who spearheaded the call for the repeal of DACA. Undocumented youth in Texas and across the country are confronting attacks on the immigrant community head on. For the DACAmented young people participating in this action, the threat of facing ICE retaliation is real- just as it was seven years ago when the first undocumented youth began risking arrest.  Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez have said that the police department does not transfer immigrants over to ICE and we expect them to honor that commitment.

“With DACA under threat, we know that some will put their hope in DC politicians. But we also know that we won DACA not because of any politician, but because our community took fearless action. We marched, we walked-out, we stopped deportations and shut down detention centers. We took risks and put our bodies on the line to tell the people of this country that we were ‘Undocumented, Unafraid, and Unapologetic,’” said Maria Fernanda Cabello, a spokesperson for Movimiento Cosecha. “This moment calls for us to be brave again; to create a moral crisis that will change the narrative on immigration in this country.”

Immigrant youth have always known DACA was temporary, which is why we need permanent protection, dignity and respect for all. This moment is bigger than any piece of legislation. DACA is under attack while our parents, who were never even given the temporary protection DACA provides, are denied dignity and respect in a country that has never recognized them. It is time for the immigrant community to show this country that it depends on us. We will not stop fighting until we have won permanent protection, dignity and respect for our parents, our communities, and all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

Cosecha Responds To Introduction of the DREAM Act Bill with a Renewed Commitment to Fight for Permanent Protection, Dignity and Respect for all 11 Million Undocumented Immigrants

Nationwide - Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced a new Dream Act bill on Thursday, which if passed would grant a path to citizenship to immigrant youth who came to this country as children.

Below is the statement from Maria Fernanda Cabello, a DACA recipient and spokesperson for Movimiento Cosecha:

“For the last 20 years, politicians in Washington DC have made promise after promise to pass legislation that would grant permanent protection to our community. For the last 20 years we have watched with baited breath as negotiations fail and bills die. For the last 20 years we have seen both Republicans and Democrats failing to make good on their promises to our people, while administration after administration increases deportations and family separation.

In this current political climate, we find it hard to believe that a Dream Act bill would have any hope of passing, unless tied to dangerous enforcement measures that would hurt our parents, our families, and our communities.

With DACA under threat, we know that hundreds of thousands of young people and parents will put their hope in this bill. But we also know that we won DACA not because of any politician, but because our community took action. We marched, we walked-out, we stopped deportations and shut down detention centers. We took risks and put our bodies on the line to tell the people of this country that we were “Undocumented, Unafraid, and Unapologetic.” Today, as the Dream Act bill is reintroduced in DC, we choose to once again put faith in our community.

This moment is bigger than any piece of legislation. DACA is under attack while our parents, who were never even given the temporary protection DACA provides, are denied dignity and respect in a country that has never recognized them. We are done letting politicians decide who deserves permanent protection and who does not. We are done negotiating away our families, and promoting a narrative that excludes our parents.  We are called once again to take bold action that will change the conversation on immigration in the United States. It is time for the immigrant community to show this country that it depends on us. We will not stop fighting until we have won permanent protection, dignity and respect for our parents, our communities, and all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.”