FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2013
Reference: Valerie Francisco, Chairperson, GABRIELA-USA, gabrielawomen@gmail.com
U.S. Filipinas Demand Genuine Comprehensive Immigration Reform and
Support Migrant Workers Struggles on Mayo Uno
On May 1st, GABRIELA-USA members in cities across the United States will march in the streets to uphold worker and migrant rights on International Workers’ Day. Filipino women are part of the large percentage of migrants arriving in the U.S. forced to leave their countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa and parts of Europe to work elsewhere as they sustain their families back home. “Historically and up to present, the reasons why many migrants come to the United States is because of U.S. imperialist policies that force people out of their own countries in the first place,” stated GABRIELA-USA spokesperson Raquel Redondiez. “As migrants arrive to the U.S. shores immigration policies, perpetuate the exploitation of migrants and work against migrants to illegalize them. The U.S. government benefits from using migrants as cheap labor, while threatening migrant communities with punitive laws and deportation. Migrants have the right to protections, dignity and justice for themselves and their families,” continued Redondiez.
The group of Senators, known as the Gang of 8, who recently filed Senate bill named “The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act,” propose significant changes to the U.S. immigration system. Key amongst the proposed changes includes cutting out some categories of family based visas, particularly eliminating the possibility for U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents to petition their siblings and married children over 31 years old to immigrate to the U.S.
GABRIELA-USA criticizes this bill as it falls short of the supposed immigration reform that it promises because it fails in its narrow definition of family. “Countless families are torn apart everyday, and now we are rallying community members to mobilize and call for re-unification for all families, including parents, children, siblings, cousins, grandparents, and LGBTIQ families,” stated Tina Shauf, GABRIELA-USA Vice Chair of Campaigns. Regardless of the type of familial relation or the sexual orientation or gender identity of partners and their families, GABRIELA-USA demands a more inclusive and expansive classification of “family” so that immigration policies do not break up families and keep them separated indefinitely.
Furthermore, over 400,000 undocumented migrants have been deported every year during the Obama administration. “We must not continue to divert attention from a broken immigration system and an exploitative imperialist system by criminalizing im/migrants. We say no to deportations and demand pathways to legalization for migrants, ” stated Shauf.
In addition to the proposed immigration bill, GABRIELA-USA will also support Assembly Bill 241, more commonly known as the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. “Migrant workers often find themselves exploited on the job, experiencing wage theft and unfair working conditions, and we demand an end to this injustice to the hard work and sacrifices they make for their families and this country,” said Valerie Francisco, national chairperson of GABRIELA-USA. A.B. 241 asks for overtime pay, meal and rest breaks and adequate sleeping conditions for live in workers. GABRIELA-USA continues in its campaign for the full recognition of domestic workers and for basic protections on the job that many other workers already have rights to under the law.
GABRIELA-USA will mobilize on May 1st to launch a campaign demanding workers rights and justice for Filipina migrants and their families throughout the United States and other countries. Join us as we march alongside other ethnic communities who seek a better life!
Uphold and Defend Workers Rights for Filipina Migrants!
Stop Imperialist Exploitation & Modern Day Slavery of Migrant Workers!
Stop Criminalization of Im/migrants! Pathways to Legalization for All Migrant Workers!
Keep all our Families together! No to Deportation!
March with GABRIELA-USA at the May 1st mobilization near you!
Los Angeles, CA
Southern California Immigration Coalition May Day March
4pm @ Olympic Blvd and Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles
New York, NY
May 1st Coalition Action
12pm rally in Union Square
Meet @ Southeast Corner of the Park
5:30pm March
San Francisco, CA
2pm @ 24 & Mission st March to Civic Center
Seattle, WA
Rally with Faith and Community Leaders
1pm @ Judkins Park
API United and Youth Contingent
2:00PM @ 20th Ave. S and S. Jackson St.
3pm @ Downtown Seattle May 1st Rally
March to Jackson Federal Building (915 2nd Avenue Seattle, WA 98174)
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