Aeryca Steinbauer of Oregon’s immigrant rights coalition, CAUSA, talks about the People of Color Action Academy, which aims to build alliances between the African American and Latino communities on issues such as drivers licenses for immigrants and access to higher education for undocumented immigrants.

The half-day session and dialogue took place on January 27 at the Chemeketa Community College in Salem.

Q: What are the objectives of the People of Color Academy?

A: CAUSA is a statewide coalition of immigrant rights groups joining forces with African American organizations to educate each other on issues and campaigns such as criminal justice reform and farmworker rights in order to tackle them together.

Some of the issues could become laws this year. The timing of the academy coincides with the Oregon state legislature coming back into session (which convenes every other year). Part of the session will be demystifying the process and educating our base.

Q: Which communities will be represented?

A: The African American participants will be coming with the NAACP in Salem and Oregon Action in Portland. Mexicans make up the largest Latino community in the state. In Portland, we have a sizeable Somalian community as well. Minority communities in Oregon tend to be more isolated, so this is a great opportunity to bring everyone together.

Q: What issues will be presented?

A: Oregon Action from Portland will lead a workshop on racial profiling. PCUN which represents farmworkers in the state will talk about protecting farmworker rights and preserving annual increases in the minimum wage. The youth groups are planning a workshop on access to higher education for undocumented immigrants. Partnership for Safety and Justice will talk about criminal justice reform.

Q: What laws have been passed in Oregon on a state or local level that impact the immigrant community and what is currently being debated?

A: Last year, the city of Portland passed a resolution that created a task force to investigate barriers immigrants face. In addition, there is a big debate over the REAL ID Act, and keeping drivers licenses accessible for everyone, regardless of immigrant status. Right now, Oregon does not require documents regarding legal status when applying for a license, but the REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 would change all of that. Oregon is joining other states, including Washington, New Hampshire, and New Mexico, to push back against REAL ID implementation. As a public safety concern we want to keep the driver’s licenses accessible.

For more information on CAUSA’s People of Color Action Academy email aeryica@causaoregon.org or visit www.causaoregon.org