Spotlight |
Immigrant Rights Movement
Immigrant rights activists report so that no story goes untold--expanding
our ability to inform, mobilize and project a collective voice.
[ filed under: immigration conflict ] Francisco Dominguez is a documentary photographer covering the plight of immigrant workers from Mexico, the U.S., and the border. He traveled along the border for two weeks, bringing attention to the countless individuals who have lost their lives attempting to reach the U.S. The Border Angels Migrant March II traveled by caravan from San Ysirdro, California to Brownsville, Texas stopping in cities and towns along the way to gather stories and testimonies of immigrant families. Before the march, I had volunteered with the Border Angels to protest the Minutemen in Calexico and Campo, California. Later I transported water to the desert for migrants making the journey from Mexico to the U.S. Temperatures in the desert between San Diego and Calexico average over 100 degrees during the summer months. Volunteers have distributed barrels of water in over 300 locations in the desert marked by 5-ft blue flags.
The Migrant March II began in San Ysidro, California along the fence that separates the border. Over a hundred supporters joined together in a moment of silence for the countless numbers of lives lost. We planted crosses into the ground, each one symbolizing a life, and continued to plant them in each town and city we visited along the way. We collected stories from immigrant families along the border during our journey—what they went through to come here, Some of these families are forever scarred by loved ones who never made it crossing the desert or simply disappeared.
In Arizona, there was a hunger strike calling attention to unjust immigration laws and also to the numbers of immigrant deaths in the U.S. borderlands, which consist of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The hunger strikers (see photo above) in downtown Phoenix condemned deaths on the border. They were women and men from various organizations that took turns each week. One of the organizations was Centro de Ayuda, which provides services for immigration papers, taxes, and English classes.
There is an increasing amount of violence along the border as the Marines and National Guard now patrol under the guise of the war on drugs, not immigration. Our government has allocated a huge budget to stop the drug flow from Mexico that pays for unmanned drone planes, similar to the ones used in Iraq for surveillance, and the drone blimps tied to cables on the ground that have “eyes” in the sky. This watch tower is located in Roma, Texas. The Migrant March II joined human rights advocates at a conference in San Antonio to draft legislation condemning the use of deadly force and to require immigration officials to read the rights of individuals they arrest or detain. Individuals crossing the border should be treated with dignity and respect as human beings and workers. Contact Francisco Dominguez at fotowaddle@gmail.com. comments |
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Why don’t these immigrant (illegals)spend this type of engery improving their own Country? I suspect they have another agenda – could it be the free goodies like free medical, education, food and housing etc. Is Mexico willing to do that for Americans who illegally cross their borders? No they throw them in jail. Immigrants have a country – go there and restore order in your own home.
By bill · Posted on Mar 28, 10:20 AMWhy the globalization that our country establish in the world make immigrants emerge to our country?- I suspect they don’t have other choice when they can’t feed their own family in their own land- Don’t you do the same if you was in the same condition? or your let your kids to die of hunger?_ I suspect there is a lack of compassion and a lot of selfishness. Our country used to be a support country for the world a Nation under “God”, I just can believe how “God” is looking our actions. Immigrants are from all the world, no just from Mexico, and I think if Mexico was willing to do the free trade with our country will be willing to provide to our Americans citizens too, if you don’t believe try it! LOL –of curse they throw people in jail when they cross the boarder to sexual abuse children, when they think that can drive drunks because they are no in their country. Actually they really throw on jail all criminals not for crossing the boarder illegally like we do in this country, they throw them when they are criminals taking advantage of their upper-class range. (If that happened to you) or know some one who is that situation in there. That is the real case. Immigrants have a country. I bet you are Indian Native American, because they are the only ones from here in the first place. And they look kind Hispanic they can be our brother! at list we are part of the family.
By Maria · Posted on Mar 29, 07:36 AMThis nation is a nation of immigrants!
AMEN!
Hi, sorry for changing the subject a bit but the Dream Act is coming up for a vote this week according to Congressional Quarterly and CSPAN.
Please ask your blog readers and other interested persons to call Senators in support of the Dream Act.
By Dream Act Supporter · Posted on Oct 22, 01:40 PMFor comment # 1!...i just want to ask you this k?...When did your Great great great grandparent get here( I mean to America?...if you think about it!...everyone here in (America) are all from different part of the world…Do you know who were the first discover of America?...i dont think you know,but let me tell ya!...(The fathers of the American Native Indian)....Later on People travel and land over here…just like how you great great grandfather gets here!...i doesn’t mean that you were born here that you claim that the imgrant doesn’t have a right to be here…or they ‘re not belong here…if you say so…than you and your
By babee' · Posted on Feb 11, 02:59 PMgreat grantfather go to where you come from and improve your own country…”DONT CLAIM THAT THIS LAND IS BELONG JUST FOR YOU…COS THIS LAND BELONG TO EVERYBODY…WE CALL IT THE LAND OF PROMISE!...