Immigrant Rights

Hector speaks at the Deferred Action for Dreamers rally in Des Moines July 21, 2012

Hector Salamanca speaks at the Deferred Action for Dreamers rally in Des Moines on July 21, 2012.

“Go ahead and dream!” was the rally cry for immigrants and allies who came together in Des Moines, Iowa, to celebrate President Obama’s order providing temporary relief from deportation to qualifying young undocumented immigrants.
 
The rally included a welcoming statement from Mayor Frank Cownie and a letter of support from Senator Tom Harkin, but it was young Dreamers—undocumented immigrant youth brought to the United States by their parents—who were the heart of the day’s events.

AFSC participant Florinda Beqiri (left) testifies in the Kennedy Caucus Room

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AFSC participant Florinda Beqiri (left) testifies in the Kennedy Caucus Room at the Russell Senate Building.

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Seventy men, women, and children visited Washington, D.C., seeking justice for families divided by immigration. They described the impact of deportation and detention to an audience of 90 people in a briefing on Capitol Hill and during personal visits to lawmakers’ offices.

Freed but not free cover

As the nation celebrates its independence, a new report serves as a chilling reminder of the unnecessary restrictions placed on the liberty of thousands of immigrants each day. Freed but not Free: A Report Examining the Current Use of Alternatives to Immigration Detention is the first report focused on shedding light on the flaws, inconsistencies, and human impact of current Alternative to Detention (ATD) programs in New Jersey and nationally.