Ya Basta Spring 1010 (English)

Border Action Network www.borderaction.org Building the Voice for Human Rights

¡Ya Basta!Free Spring 2010 Arizona Español al Reverso

By Hilary Tone Tucson, AZ – On Sunday, March 21st, twenty members of Bor-der Action Net-work joined more than 200,000 participants in a march on Wash-ington demand-ing immigration reform. The march represent-ed a national call to action, and came at a heated time in the de-bate over immi-gration reform. The day after the march, the Border Action delegation met with Arizona Congresspeople on Capitol Hill, including Congressman Raúl Grijalva.

“Policy-makers need to know that immigration reform is

urgently needed and that we expect action,” said Perla Valenzuela, one of Border Action’s Regional Coordina-tors for Pima County and one the March participants. “We have heard the prom-ises from Washington. Now we need to see the action.”

Across the United States, im-migration reform support-ers have raised their voices, delivering 100,000 postcards to key legislators, flood-ing the White House with phone calls and emails, and holding vigils and rallies in their cities. Border Action

Network mem-bers have led this fight in Arizona, sending nearly 20,000 post-cards to President Obama, Sena-tor McCain, and Congress ional Representatives.

Despite recent studies demon-strating the eco-nomic benefits of overhauling our immigra-tion system and polls reveal-ing widespread

public support for reform, obstacles exist.

The past year has seen an escalation in deportations, families ripped apart, and state legislatures, follow-

Arizona “Marches for America” in Washington, DC Arizona families strengthen push for immigration reform this year

IN THIS ISSUE

P2. A Letter from the

Director

P5. Meet New Human

Rights Promoters

P5. Pushing for

Change in US-Mexico

Border Policy

P6. Inter-American

Commission to Hear

Case vs. Border

Vigilantes

P6. Upcoming Events

In spite of the spiraling budget deficit in Arizona, a handful of legislators continue to intro-duce anti-immigrant bills that not only perpetuate fear and discrimination in the state, but also drive away any possi-bility for a prosperous future. Of the 29 anti-immigrant bills Border Action Network is cur-rently monitoring for the 2010 legislative session, several have made it past their initial com-mittee votes, and some have even passed the floor votes.

Notorious State Senator Russell Pearce (R-18) is still largely responsible for such bills, but this year, Pearce has some serious competition for the loudest anti-immigrant voice in the legislature. No-tably, State Representatives Carl Seel (R-6) and Frank Antenori (R-30) are vying for the same title, only to the detriment of immigrant and border communities as well as the entire state of Arizona.

Border Action Leads Fight Against Anti-Immigrant Legislation

see “Washington, DC” p. 4

Border Action Network formed in 1999 and

works with immigrant and border communities in Southern Arizona to

ensure that our rights are respected, our human

dignity upheld and that our communities are healthy places to live. We are a membership-based organization that

combines grassroots community organizing, leadership development,

litigation and policy advocacy.

United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Anti-Immigrant Bill SpotlightBefore a bill can become a law, it must pass a series of steps. First, a committee within either the House or Senate must approve it. It then has to pass two floor votes in the House and Senate, and then signed into law by the Governor. Many of the bills listed here, though they have made it past initial committee votes, still have a long way to go.

HB2382 would require the state’s Department of Edu-cation, school districts and schools to collect and com-pile data concerning students’ immigration status. The Dept of Education would be required to produce a re-port that analyzes the costs of providing education to un-documented children. Anyone who provides a fraudu-lent report would be guilty of a Class 1 Misdemeanor. This bill is meant to intimidate immigrant families from

enrolling their children into public education, a right which is guaranteed for all those residing in the United States regardless of their legal status.

HB2382 SCHOOLS; STUDENT DATA COLLECTIONRepresentative Carl Seel (R-6)Similar to SB1097, introduced by Senator Russell Pearce (R-18)

As of March 25th, 2010, the House Committee of the Whole approved this bill, and it will proceed to the next step.

By Hilary Tone

(See the box inserts in this article for details on some of the bills these legislators have sponsored this year.)

see “Legislature” p. 3


Page 2 ¡Ya Basta! Spring 2010

Giving It All We’ve Got: Letter from Executive Director Jennifer Allen

There’s a saying in Spanish “Del dicho al hecho, hay un gran trecho,” which roughly translates to “From word to action there is a big distance.” The political space between campaign promises and com-mitments from House and Senate leaders to turn words into action on immigration reform is unfortunately where we’re at this spring 2010.

Words and actions are almost simultaneous and synony-mous in Border Action Network. The pages of this edi-tion of “Ya Basta” recount the tens of thousands of post-cards sent from Arizona to Washington, the nearly one thousand people gathered in November for house parties in Arizona, the phone calls, the events and on and on.

We feel the urgency. We know that without immi-gration reform, workplace raids continue, Opera-tion Streamline charges 100 men and women a day with criminal charges, Sheriff Arpaio and other police and sheriffs call in immigration, increased numbers of Border Patrol harass border residents, and AZ Sena-tor Russell Pearce pushes even more damaging laws.

But in Washington, Congress and the White House feel another urgency: upcoming November elec-

tions, quelling the Tea Party and other anti-immigrant, anti-Obama resentment, and a long list of unresolved issues like the economy, a jobs act, and climate change.

Senator McCain’s re-election campaign is a good ex-ample of how the backlash is playing out. McCain was THE Republican leader in immigration reform for several years. He was really quiet on the issue during his run for President in 2008. Now, he has turned into a “seal the border first and deport 2 million people” club to be able to go head-to-head with his challenger, J.D. Hayworth.

Phoenix radio talk show host and former Congress-man J.D. Hayworth has been like a broken record on the airwaves calling for massive enforcement of im-migration and militarization of the border. His em-phasis on enforcement is not due to a commitment to national or border security. In fact, while in Congress, Hayworth introduced the “Enforcement First Act of 2005” that called for a moratorium on visas to Mexican citizens. This is blatant racism, but that doesn’t seem to deter McCain and others from trying to mimic it.

With all eyes on the U.S. Senate trying to figure out if, when, what and with whom New York Senator Chuck Schumer is going to introduce his immigration reform bill, we are going to give the next few months our all. We only have a few months left in which a debate could happen. Even if a bill is introduced, it probably won’t be smooth sailing and we will have to fight hard to get a good bill.

The elephant in the room is how many in Washington, who had promised to prioritize immigration reform, are more willing to listen to the threats and attacks of vocal fringe groups like the Federation for American Immigration Re-form (FAIR). Once again, we have to show the power of the Latino and immigrant community that there are con-sequences for ignoring something so urgent, so important, like reforming this country’s mess of an immigration system.

There are people out there who have said the fight is dead and have thrown in the towel. But in my book, it’s not over until we’ve won. Family unity, a path to citizenship, due process, rights on the border, eliminating the back log of ap-plications - these things are too important in our everyday lives not to do everything possible to push for them. We are building power and strength every single day. We have more to do, but we can’t stop now that the train is moving.

I hope you enjoy this edition of “Ya Basta,” and if you’re not already a member of Border Action, I hope you’ll join today to become part of building the strength needed to demonstrate the real value, commitment and power of immigrant communities in Arizona.

Border Action Network Staff Catching Up with Border Action House Parties for Immigration Reform

On November 18th, 2009, more than 700 people in Arizona gathered in homes, offices, schools and churches to listen to Congressman Luis Gutier-rez discuss his plan for immigration re-form. In more than 70 locations across the state, all organized by Border Action Network, people dialed into a “tele-town hall” to hear the Congressman speak.

Each location also hosted a discussion after the call to give participants a chance to voice their opinions, concerns and thoughts regarding his plan. The event happened just weeks before Gutierrez introduced CIR-ASAP, a comprehensive immigration reform bill, in the US House of Representatives.

On a rainy Saturday afternoon in November, nearly 50 members of Border Action gathered at La Pilita Museum in Tucson to hear the mu-sic of Francisco Herrera. Herrera, a long-time human rights activist, traveled from the Bay Area to per-

form a free, bilingual concert for Border Action and members of the community. The concert was linked to Border Action’s campaign to push our communities and our policy makers to support an overhaul of immigration policy. Concertgoers signed postcards to President Obama, Senator McCain, and their Congressional Representatives and committed to help distribute them across the city.

Nearly 200 members of Border Action Network attended the or-ganization’s 6th annual Posada on Saturday, December 5th, 2009. Amidst dinner, dancing, and live music from Pablo Peregrina, Sally Withers and our own Francis-co Robles, attendants witnessed the debut of the Border Action Pastorela, a play depicting the struggle to cross the border and to organize for human rights. In

addition, attendants got to vote on which Human Rights Committee made the best piñata. Congratula-tions to our winners in the Misión Unida Committee!

Border Action Network organized three Walks for Human Rights in Tucson, Nogales and Douglas on December 10th,

2009 for International Human Rights Day. More than 200 people walked sporting signs, pushing strollers, and wear-ing “Reform Immigration for America” shirts provided by Border Action. In Tucson, participants delivered the names of more than 13,000 Arizonans who support immigration reform to Senators Kyl and McCain. Walkers later ap-peared on both Univision and Telemundo’s evening news.

More than 100 Human Rights Promoters and Human Rights Committee members came together for our annual General Assembly on Saturday, Febru-ary 6th, 2010 at Iglesia del Dios Vivo in Tucson. During the four hour event, attendants heard

from three guest speakers: Marco Liu, a representative from the Department of Economic Security, Alfredo DeAvila from the Applied Research Center, and a surprise visit from Congressman Raul Grijalva, who discussed the prospects for immigration reform. Members also vot-

ed on several short- and long-term decisions regarding our work on immigration reform, at the State Legislature, and key organizational decisions. Amidst decisions for 2010, leaders chose three priorities for the organization: perma-nent residency, family unity and constitutional/civil rights. Members overwhelmingly voted to participate in the national “March for America” on March 21st in Washington, DC.

Jennifer AllenExecutive Director

As Border Action Network’s Executive Direc-tor for over 10 years, Jennifer brings endless knowledge and experience to the organization. As the lead spokesperson and policy advocate for BAN, she travels all over the state and coun-try urging policy makers and officials to adopt reasonable border and immigration polices and building broader support for Arizona’s human

rights struggle. For Ya Basta, Jennifer writes the Letter from the Director, and articles pertaining to border and immigration issues. Julissa VillaOrganizing Coordinator

Julissa has been with Border Action for five years and travels all over Arizona to bring BAN’s work to various border and immigrant communities. She plans events with members, organizes trainings and retreats for Human Rights Promoters and Committees, and assists

our Regional Coordinators in Pima and Cochise County. For Ya Basta, Julissa conducts interviews with promoters and contrib-utes articles on organizing within communities for a greater goal. Michael Monyak Administrator

With Border Action since summer of 2009, Michael provides immeasurable support to the BAN staff. While keeping track of all fi-nancial records and maintaining BAN’s technical and online systems, Michael also writes grant proposals and performs vari-

ous program tasks. He is essential to the completion of any office project, and provides review for Ya Basta articles. Jill NunesMembership & Events Coordinator

Jill began with Border Action in November 2009 and plays an integral role in expanding the support and contributions of BAN’s mem-bership and increasing the group’s visibility in the community. Her background is diverse, from local radio to chairing the Board of Direc-tors for Watershed Management Group. She is

excited to kick-off a year packed with music, art, film and other events to bring in new members. She can be found in Ya Bas-ta discussing these events and the importance of membership. Hilary ToneCommunications Coordinator

Since September of 2009, Hilary has been responsible for Border Action’s communica-tion efforts with press, media, BAN members, and the general public. In addition to framing BAN’s message for various audiences, she also maintains the organization’s website, social net-

working sites, and oversees all of BAN’s publications. Hilary makes Ya Basta happen: from articles to translations to design to print, she coordinates it all.

Jennifer Allen Executive Director

By Hilary Tone

Concert for Hope with Francisco Herrera

Annual General Assembly

Annual Walk for International Human Rights Day

Border Action’s 6th Annual Posada


These bills have not proceeded without a fight. In addition to Border Action Network publicly opposing these bills and speaking against them at the legisla-ture in Phoenix, members and supporters have responded to our email alerts by

the thousands. From 15 alerts, we have sent more than 16,000 emails to legisla-tors; that number continues to grow with every bad bill that goes up for a vote.

cont. “Legislature” p. 1

Anti-Immigrant Bill Spotlight (Cont’d)

HB2383 NATIONAL GUARD MOBILIZATION; BORDERRepresentative Carl Seel (R-6)

HB2383 states that if and when the Arizona Gov-ernor declares a state of emergency due to in-creases in deaths, crime and property dam-age from undocumented immigration across the Arizona border, the governor must mobilize the Na-tional Guard and put them on the Arizona border.

Though this bill made it past three committees, it was DEFEAT-ED in the House on February 24th, 2010!

1) Visit www.borderaction.org, and click on the “We Are Watching You” graphic. This will take you to a page where you can sign up for our email alerts, which include invites to rallies, hearings and other events, read about the anti-immigrant bills we are monitoring and see a list of what we have monitored in years past.

2) Become a FAN of Border Action Network on Facebook to get our recent news, events, and links regarding our work at the state legislature. (www.facebook.com/borderaction).

3) Follow us on Twitter to read our real-time news and updates on immigration and border issues in Arizona and the U.S. (www.twitter.com/borderaction)

4) Visit www.borderaction.org and sign up for our twice monthly E-newsletter to get the updates on campaigns, events and other happenings.

HB2773 UNLAWFUL REENTRY; CLASSIFICATION Representative Adam Driggs (R-11)Similar to SB1394, introduced by Senator Russell Pearce (R-18)

This bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and did not receive enough votes to pass out of the committee as of February 18th, 2010.

SB1070 IMMIGRATION; LAW ENFORCEMENT; SAFE NEIGHBORHOODSPrimary Sponsors: Senator Russell Pearce (R-18)Similar to HB2632, introduced by Representative David Gowan (R-30)

This bill repeats sections of other bills already introduced by Pearce over the years. It is referred to as Pearce’s “Im-migration Omnibus” bill because it in-cludes so many different components:

1. No city, state, county government entity can adopt a policy that limits or restricts the enforcement of federal im-migration.

2. In all contacts with people, government employees will be required to verify someone’s immigration status if they have “reasonable suspicion” that the per-son might be undocumented.

3. Law enforcement would be able to arrest someone they think is undocu-mented without a warrant.

4. A person would be charged with trespassing if they are found to be in the state without having legal immigration status.

5. It would be a crime for someone to stop their vehicle on the road in order to hire a day laborer and it would be illegal for someone to get into a car that is blocking the road for the purpose of getting a job.

6. It would become a Class 1 misdemeanor for someone who is undocumented to knowingly apply for, solicit or perform work as an “independent contractor” or employee.

7. It would become a Class 1 misdemeanor to drive or “conceal” someone who is undocumented.

It would also become illegal to “induce” or encourage someone who is undocu-mented to move to Arizona. SB1070, as of March 31st, 2010, passed a House Committee vote and will proceed to the two House floor votes.

If you would like to join the fight against anti-immigrant legislation in Arizona with Border Action, here’s how you can take action:

see “Legislature” p. 4


HB2773 says that a person would be guilty of the class 4 felony crime of unlawful reentry if the person has been previously deported from the U.S. and is appre-hended in this county without proper authorization. The list of actions required of law enforcement upon processing arrestees for illegal presence in the U.S. is expanded to include requesting information from oth-er law enforcement agencies as to whether the arrest-ee has ever been deported or removed from the U.S.



ing Arizona’s lead, passing virulently punitive anti-im-migrant legislation in the vacuum cre-ated by the federal government’s fail-ure to reform what all sides agree is a broken system. In February, President Obama devoted only a few sentences to immigration re-form in his State of the Union address.

“We marched to say that we can-not be ignored or put off because of elections,” explains Angelita Nuñez, the Regional Coor-dinator for Cochise

County who sees families divided by both a border wall and failed im-migration policy on a daily basis. “Washington has to see that this isn’t just an ‘immigrant issue’ but a solu-tion that benefits the entire country.” At Border Action’s General Assembly on February 6th, members from Doug-las, Pirtleville, Sierra Vista, Nogales and Tucson decided to join the nation-al call to march in Washington, DC.

In order to pay for their trip costs, members raised money throughout February and by holding car washes, tamale sales, and yard sales, and asking for business and individual support.

“The decision to go to Washington was easy,” says Julissa Villa, of Border Action Network. “We need take every action we can to make comprehensive immigration reform happen this year.”

cont. “Washington, DC” p. 1

cont. “Legislature” p. 3

Despite the plethora of anti-immigrant legislation, 17 good human rights bills have been sponsored this year by Representatives including Daniel Patterson (D-29), Kyrsten Sinema (D-15) and Meg Burton Cahill (D-17). (For a complete list of these bills, see the insert below.)

Pro-Human Rights Bill Spotlight

HB2319 FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE Primary Sponsors: Representative Daniel Patterson (D-29)

This bill would require the state Department of Economic Security to establish and administer a family leave insurance program and pay Fam-ily Leave insurance benefits. Provides regulations for the family leave insurance program, includ-ing premiums, benefits, claims, and appeals. The program would be in effect until July 1, 2020.

As of April 1st, 2010, this bill was referred to the House Com-merce and Appropriations Committee.

HB2359 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES; JURISDICTION Primary Sponsors: Representative Kyrsten Sinema (D-15)

According to this bill, municipal and county law enforcement would have a primary responsibility to “engage” in law enforcement activities in their own jurisdictions and would not permitted to en-gage in law enforcement activities outside their ju-risdiction without notification being given to and approval being received from the other jurisdic-tions. This bill is also an effort to keep Sheriff Joe

Arpaio focused in the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County rather than targeting cities (where more immigrant families live) like Phoe-nix, Mesa, Glendale, etc that already have their own police departments.

As of April 1st, this bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. HCM2001 DREAM ACT; URGING ADOPTION

Primary Sponsors: Representative Anna Tovar (D-13)

This bill would urge the U.S. Congress to enact the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act to provide legal permanent residency and a path to citizenship to undocumented immigrant youth who were brought to the U.S. by their parents.

As of April 1st, 2010, this bill was referred to the House Education Committee.

HCR2032 WAGE REDUCTION PROTECTION; VOTER APPROVAL Primary Sponsors: Representative Daniel Patterson (D-29)

This bill would put on the 2010 general election ballot the question of whether to require voter ap-proval of any measure that reduces the minimum wage or overtime benefits established by the law. This bill would make it difficult for our legislature to lower the minimum wage or overtime benefits.

There have been no actions on this bill.

Border Action Members marching toward the US Capitol in Washington, DC.



Meet Two New Human Rights PromotersInterviews Conducted by Julissa Villa After two Graduation Ceremonies at the end of 2009, Border Action Net-work has now trained 100 Human Rights Promoters in Arizona! Below are

interviews with two of our new Human Rights Promoters from each graduat-ing class – Graciela Bernal from Tucson and Maria Corral from Sierra Vista.

Hello, my name is Maria Corral and I decided to participate in Border Action Network work for Human Rights in order to learn about constitutional and human rights in the United States that apply to all human beings. These are rights that the majority of people, like me, don’t know. I also wanted to learn how to defend myself and help others do the same. I have felt helpless to do anything about the abuses that law enforcement officials commit. Even the sight of immigration agents has made me feel nervous and intimidated, even though I have done nothing and should have nothing to worry about.

But now, after participating in the Human Rights Promoter training, I learned that the Constitution of this country protects us equally, documented or undocumented. The most important and interesting thing in these trainings was that I learned to fight that fear that I felt when seeing a law enforcement official. Now I feel safer and more confident about myself because I know my rights.

The most difficult thing about the training was the knowledge that our struggle for human rights is never going to end. We have to do something, even though we may find ourselves confronted by people who don’t agree with our fight for human rights. It is always going to be a fight for our rights. We will always encounter racist and corrupt people. But with wisdom and honesty there is no need to fear them in order to continue with our struggle, educating others, and not giving up. With persistence, it is possible.

We must not forget that most of us are immigrants in this country. We must lend a hand and be united in the fight against the injustices that are committed against the documented and undocumented. Enough is enough.

Hello, my name is Graciela Bernal and as a mother, I worry about all the changes happening in the state and the community. It’s for this reason that I decided to participate in the Human Rights Promoter training, and because I want to help people by explaining to them the rights they have in this country.

The most difficult part of the training for me was understanding the structure and power of the government.

But now I know and understand them: 1. Executive Power; 2. Judicial Power; 3. Legislative Power. The easiest part of the training was the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution. I already knew that our rights are continually violated, like the right to remain silent and not give unnecessary information to law enforcement.

Now that I’m a Human Rights Promoter, I want to speak to my class and to my community with more knowledge. I have continued studying the Promoter Manual as much as possible.

I am proud to continue working with our Human Rights Committee. We need the strength of an entire group, not just one person. As a group, we need to reclaim our responsibilities just like the name of our committee says: Strength and Hope.

Overwhelmed by years of reports of ha-rassment, intimidation, and physical and verbal abuse by federal border agents, Border Action Network and community groups in other US-Mexico border states launched an initiative in 2005. This ini-tiative, deemed the US-Mexico Border and Immigration Task Force, develops and promotes changes in Border Patrol and Customs operations on the border. The group’s recommendations, referred to as the “Alternative Guidelines for Bor-der Enforcement,” laid out more than 70 ways to integrate human rights, account-ability and oversight, cost-effectiveness, and cross-border commerce into border

security. The group traveled to Washing-ton several times to meet with high-level officials and present the recommendations. For the first couple of years, the discus-sions did not result in much action or in-terest, according to Border Action and

a coalition it orga-nized, comprised of local officials, busi-ness leaders, law enforcement, faith and community groups, attorneys, aca-demics and other community leaders. Under the Obama administration, new leadership assumed high-level posts at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security. This new leadership includes former Arizona Governor Janet Napoli-tano, Marco Lopez, the former mayor of Nogales, Arizona and several oth-ers who worked under the Governor. “We were genuinely surprised by the interest and reception we got from Cus-toms and Border Protection when we

gave them concrete, specific ideas for how they could uphold peoples’ rights and relate better to border commu-nities,” explains Dr. Zoe Hammer, a member of the Task Force. “There was a dramatic shift to being more acces-sible under this new administration.” In 2008, CBP officials engaged in a se-ries of community meetings to listen to concerns and recommendations from Border Action, Task Force members and others. In June 2008, a meeting was held in Tucson with then-CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin, CBP Chief of Staff Marco Lopez, and Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar in which they listened to recom-mendations related to stopping border deaths, improving community relations, instituting short-term custody stan-dards, improving their complaint pro-cess and strengthening Border Patrol and Customs training, among other areas. “On some fronts, the officials reacted defensively,” says Dr. Hammer. “But they needed to hear communities’ frus-trations and the pain that some of their agents and practices have caused mi-grant families and border communities.” Since then, CBP officials and border

groups have delved deeper into discus-sions to work towards implementing some of the recommendations. In De-cember 2009 and January 2010, follow-up meetings were held in Brownsville, Texas and San Diego, California that resulted in commitments from CBP and member groups in areas like Bor-der Patrol training, improving the com-plaint process, and short-term custody. “We all committed to doing some work. We offered to provide models for better training curriculum and a more trans-parent complaint process, for example. CBP committed to providing us with more information about what the pro-tocols and training contain, and look-ing into setting up some pilot projects in some states,” recounts Jennifer Al-len, Border Action Executive Direc-tor who participated in the meetings. To date, none of the commitments have been fulfilled, but the member groups say that that is to be expected. “Some of these issues are deeply engrained in border en-forcement agencies. They’re not going to change overnight,” says Allen. “Time will tell how deep the commitments run, but for now, we’re committed to this process of negotiations for the short and long term.”

Border Action Pushes for Changes in Border Patrol and Customs Policy

Maria CorralGraciela Bernal

The Border Wall in Texas



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Mark Your Calendars!In 2010 Border Action has some new exciting events planned! These events are opportunities for everyone members to learn about Border Action Network and our impressive efforts to build the voice and power of Arizona immigrant and border communities and to push for human rights in local, state and national policy.

Together we will have fun and get to know each other a little better and learn about how we can impact the policies that af-fect our lives. We will also have an “Open House” when our expanded office space is complete. There are many ways to participate in these events. You can buy tickets for family, friends and co- workers, help spread the word through emails, social networking sites, put up flyers and posters, and call your friends!

APRIL“Papers” the Movie. Wednesday April 7th at 7:00 PMThe Loft Cinema 3233 E. Speedway Tickets are $8.00 General Admission, $6.00 Loft members “Papers” is the story of undocumented youth and the challenges they face as they turn 18 without legal status. Congressman Raul Grijalva will address the audience. Jennifer Allen will speak. There will be a post-screening panel of local youth. The evening is a co-benefit with The Loft Cinema. MAYBenefit Concert at Club Congress May 15th at 6:00 PM Tickets $10.00 Join Border Action Network at historic Hotel Congress for an evening of fun, art and music. A silent auction will begin at 6:00. There will be music on the patio with Pablo and Sally. Mariachi Tesoro de Tucson will also perform. Poi-Zen will present a fire performance in the Plaza. The Last Call Girls and The Kevin Pakulis Band will perform on the club stage. Wear your dancing shoes!

AUGUST International Youth Day Concert August 12th

SEPTEMBER El Casino Ballroom Dance Party OCTOBER Border Action Network 10th Anniversary Gala

*Details of all these events will be posted on our web site as they are available.*

Residents of Douglas, Arizo-na recall Minutemen driving through their small downtown area, randomly asking people on the street if they had “pa-pers.” Since those early days of border vigilante groups pa-trolling the border and border towns, harassment and racial profiling has continued. Cur-rently, a Minuteman member faces charges for murdering an Arivaca, Arizona man and his child in the summer of 2009. The Border Action Network, an Arizona-based human rights or-ganization, believes that the U.S. government should be held to task for turning a blind eye to such groups. “Anti-immigrant vigilantism continues to plague Arizona and the border region,” explains Jennifer Allen, Bor-der Action’s Executive Director. “We tried everything possible to get local, state and federal of-

ficials to address rights violations and criminal behavior of these groups who act like they are above the rule of law. We found that no one had the courage or political will to prosecute them. In some cases, we found collusion between the government and vigilantes.” The group filed a petition with the Organization of American States (OAS) in April 2005. In October 2009, the Inter-American Com-mission on Human Rights of the OAS ruled that it will hear the case filed by the Border Action

Network alleging human rights vio-lations by the Unit-ed States for allow-ing anti-immigrant vigilante groups to operate along the US-Mexico border. The decision, which allows the case to move forward to the merits stage, comes after four

years of legal submissions and a hearing before the Commission in Washington, DC in March 2008. The Border Action Net-work had requested the Commis-sion for an interim order to stop vigilante violence while the case is heard, pointing to the recent murder of the family in Arivaca by members of the Minutemen American Defense. The Commis-sion, however, rejected the request. “The Commission only processes about 10% of the petitions they receive. This important milestone

allows the case to move forward and the Commission to deter-mine whether the U.S. govern-ment has a duty to prevent and sanction these vigilante groups,” says Seánna Howard of the Uni-versity of Arizona, attorney for the Border Action Network. The ruling by the Commission coincided with the launch of a new border vigilante group, the Patriot Coalition, which was scheduled to patrol the border in Cochise County, Arizona from September 18th to October 15th, 2009. The Coalition’s patrols were cut short when the group’s leader, a previous colleague of Minuteman leader Chris Sim-cox, fell ill and was hospitalized. To view the full re-port, please visit: http://www.cidh.org/annualrep/2009eng/usa478.05eng.htm

Inter-American Commission to Hear Case Against Border VigilantesBy Hilary Tone

Upcoming Events at Border Action Network - By Jill Nunes



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Numbers matter. We need you to be among the ranks of people who believe that we CAN reform our immigration system, pro-tect human rights and stop the anti-immigrant attacks in Arizona.

When you become a member of Border Action Network you stand with more than one thousand other immigrant fami-lies in Arizona and their supporters to demand that we all be able to live a dignified life. No one should struggle alone. We are stronger and more effective when we all unite our voices and push together for justice and immigration reform!

As a member of Border Action, you will be in-the-know –you will be updated by our newspaper, local events, emails, text messages about what is happening in Washington and how you and your family can be part of it. Become a member and stand with others in your community and across Arizona to say: “We are not the enemy. We are part of the SOLUTION!”

Become a member today!

As a member you become an “owner” of Border Ac-tion because you help fuel what Border Action does! With a contribution of $25 for an individual or $50 for a family, you keep the organization growing. Can’t make your full donation right now? Sign-up for monthly automatic payments from your credit or bankcard. For $10/month, you’ll be able to give $120.00 to Border Action over the year! A dollar a day --just $30.00 an month-- results in $360.00. That’s the cost of training one Human Rights Promoter, sending a repre-sentative to Washington, D.C. or one month’s phone bill! Become a member today and join others who have decided to hold our heads high and work together to show that we are part of the solution!

For two years in a row, Border Action has helped defeat every anti-immigrant bill in the Arizona state legislature! Members went to the state capitol in Phoenix, met with legislators and sent them emails and phone calls by the thousands! Every year, Border Action members travel to Washington, DC to meet with members of Congress. We share our experiences and urge them to support better immigration and border policies that allow our families to be together, stop law enforcement abuses and prevent deaths in the Arizona desert. Border Action keeps growing! We have volunteer Human Rights Promoters, Abuse Documenters and Human Rights Com-mittees across the state. From Douglas, Sierra Vista, Nogales, Sa-huarita, Tucson, Cottonwood, Prescott, Phoenix and other areas, we are putting the skills and knowledge to work for change in the hands of immigrant families.

Become a Member of Border Action! Stand up, be counted and be part of the change!

COUNT ME IN! Become a member of Border Action Network and be a part of a growing movement demanding rights, dignity,

and justice across Arizona and the border. Name Address City State Zip Telephone E-mail I would like to contribute:

$25 $50 $120 $250 $500 Other $ Check Enclosed Please charge my credit card Visa Mastercard

Card Number Exp. Security Code ___________

Border Action Network

P.O. Box 384, Tucson, AZ 85702(520) 623-4944

www.borderaction.org

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Documents

Ya Basta Spring 1010 (English)