Media Coverage

Immigration reform is a women's issue

Author: 
Andrea Summers
Source: 
Sun Journal (Maine)

Immigration reform is not often considered to be a women’s issue but in fact is a critical part of the fight for women’s equality. The recent momentum behind Comprehensive Immigration Reform is exciting but has been missing a focus on the issues that directly affect women, girls and families.

Female immigrants are our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, colleagues and friends. Women currently comprise 51 percent of people migrating to America. They are coming for the same reasons many of our ancestors came: to escape persecution or poverty and to seek a better life.

Immigration Reform: Good for Immigrant Women, Good for American Feminism

Author: 
Pramila Jayapal
Source: 
The Nation

"Ain't I a woman?" As woman after woman stepped to the microphone at the Hyatt Regency ballroom in Washington, D.C., and made the case for why immigration is a women’s issue, Sojourner Truth’s words rang in my ears. Immigrant women living in states across the country—from Texas to Minnesota to Missouri to Maine—shared stories of being detained and not seeing a child for three months, of surviving domestic violence and not being able to call for help, of caring for someone else’s children but not being paid.

Time to Strengthen Family Immigration

Author: 
The Editorial Board
Source: 
New York Times

The momentum in Washington for immigration reform has been growing with amazing speed in recent weeks, and it seems that the question now is not whether Congress will try to fix the immigration system this year, but how big and effective the repairs will be. We hope that whatever bill emerges will continue to protect and unite families, preserving and strengthening a bedrock value of America’s immigration system.

Women's issues move into immigration reform spotlight

Source: 
Southern California Public Radio

Immigration reform is rarely thought of as specifically a women's issue, but it is central to the fight for women's equality. That's the argument of an organization of women calling themselves We Belong Together.

The group formed on Mother's Day of 2010 in response to Arizona's tough immigration laws. This week, they are in Washington, D.C. joining with California senator Barbara Boxer to lobby for immigration reform that will keep families together and empower women.

Gender Bias Seen in Visas for Skilled Workers

Author: 
Ashley Parker
Source: 
New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony Monday afternoon arguing that the H-1B visa program, which covers highly skilled temporary foreign workers, often in high-tech fields, discriminates against women.

The hearing, which was devoted to issues women face in the immigration process, also focused on family reunification, and ways to help families — and women specifically — integrate into the legal immigration system.

Women’s issues take immigration reform spotlight

Author: 
Corey Kane
Source: 
Houston Chronicle

Women immigrants find themselves subject to abuse and lack of rights with little recourse, according to testimony from experts and activists who are urging national lawmakers to prioritize women in any comprehensive reform plan.

The director for National Domestic Workers Alliance, Ai-jen Poo, told Congress that past immigration overhauls have focused solely on the economic needs of U.S. companies, to the detriment of the immigrants’ rights.

Kids Ask Congress To Stop Deportation Of Family Members

Author: 
Roque Planas
Source: 
Huffington Post

All they want for Christmas is their family back.

Dozens of children gathered in Washington Thursday to hand over some 10,000 letters asking Congress members not to deport their family members as a Christmas present, according to a group of nongovernmental organizations.

“Dear Members of Congress,” reads one of the letters. “My wish is that all families will stay together during the holiday season. I was lucky enough to grow up in America with the love of both my parents.”

Other letters raised the issue of injustice.

A Much-Needed Spotlight on Families Ripped Apart by Deportations

Author: 
Walter Ewing
Source: 
Immigration Impact

On December 12, dozens of children delivered thousands of letters to Capitol Hill, calling upon lawmakers to stop the senseless division of families that is caused by the deportation of mothers and fathers who are not a threat to anyone. The event was part of “A Wish for the Holidays,” a campaign with a simple but powerful message: “Every day, families across the country are separated by deportations and immigrant detentions. 5.5 million children live with the fear that a parent could be deported, and these policies threaten the fabric of all of our communities. It just isn’t right.”

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