Iowa Immigrants Voice Program

Dreamers and allies reflect on Congressional visit

Dreamers and allies in Iowa 5-10-13

Dreamers and allies in Iowa 5-10-13

Dreamers and allies gather at AFSC following their meeting with U.S. Rep. Tom Latham to discuss the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Advocates for comprehensive immigration reform met with U.S. Rep. Tom Latham and staff at his Des Moines office on May 10, 2013. Hector Salamanca, AFSC Latino Youth Organizer, set up the meeting, and Sandra Sanchez, AFSC Iowa Immigrants Voice Program Director, facilitated a follow-up discussion.

Taking action for immigration reform

Hector and others at Grassley town hall meeting in Boone

Hector and others at Grassley town hall meeting in Boone

Iowa Dreamers and allies advocate for comprehensive immigration reform at a May town hall meeting in Boone, Iowa hosted by Senator Charles Grassley. From left: Antonia Rivera, Sandra Sanchez, Jan Flora, Hector Salamanca and Tess Boylan.

By Sandra Sanchez

Several Dreamers and allies of the AFSC and its Dreamers Network have been working hard during the last month, taking action in support of a humane and fair immigration reform.

Dreamer talks immigration reform with Senator Grassley

Hector and others at Grassley town hall meeting in Boone

Hector and others at Grassley town hall meeting in Boone

Iowa Dreamers and allies advocate for comprehensive immigration reform at a May town hall meeting in Boone, Iowa hosted by Senator Charles Grassley. From left: Antonia Rivera, Sandra Sanchez, Jan Flora, Hector Salamanca and Tess Boylan.

By Hector Salamanca, AFSC Iowa Latino Youth Organizer Intern

I went to a recent town hall meeting in Boone, Iowa for a reason, and that was to ask Senator Chuck Grassley what his views were on the current Immigration bill. I was completely unprepared for what awaited me at the town hall and whether or not it was going to be a tough crowd or a supportive crowd that cared about immigration reform.

Sandra Sanchez talks immigration reform on The Fallon Forum

Sandra Sanchez discusses the latest immigration reform legislation on the Fallon Forum, April 24, 2013. Sandra directs AFSC Iowa's Immigrants Voice Program and can be reached at SSanchez@afsc.org.

Iowans to call for fair immigration reform

Thursday, May 2, 2013 - 3:15pm - 4:15pm

Dreamers and allies won a big victory with the Drivers Licenses this winter, but our work is still not done.

Now our sights are on Humane Immigration Reform and we ask you to join us on May 2 from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m at City Hall, Second Floor Auditorium, 923 8th Street in Boone. We will be sending a clear message to Senator Grassley that we do not appreciate his recent comments over the immigration bill. So please join us and continue marching towards humane immigration reform.

Iowa Dreamers call for and win driver's licenses

With help from AFSC, a group of Iowa Dreamers call for (and soon win) driver's licenses. This January 21, 2013 clip is from KCCI TV in Des Moines.

Legal services work brings a family together

Jody Mashek with Zerom

Jody Mashek with Zerom

Jody Mashek, who directs AFSC's immigration legal services work in Des Moines, greets Zerom and two of his daughters at the AFSC office. Zerom is a refugee from Eritrea.

An Eritrean refugee in Iowa is reunited with his family, with help from AFSC.

Jody Mashek can tell you all about the headaches, heartaches and frustrating delays of U.S. immigration law.

She can also show you the joy on a father’s face when he’s finally reunited with his family.

Jody directs the legal services component of AFSC’s Immigrants Voice Program in Des Moines. Each year the program assists several hundred immigrants and refugees from around the world.

Folleto Reforma Migratoria

Iowa Dreamers lobby State Sen. Matt McCoy

Iowa Dreamers lobby State Sen. Matt McCoy

Iowa Dreamers lobby State Sen. Matt McCoy in support of in-state tuition for immigrant youth at state universities.

Folleto Reforma Migratoria

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The right direction: Deferred action policy is not the final word for DREAMers

DREAMers at Iowa capitol

small group talking in Iowa capitol rotunda

Iowa DREAMers visited the state capitol on March 20 to thank state senators for co-sponsoring a bill allowing them to pay in-state tuition at state universities. They also spoke with legislators still opposed to bill or on the fence. See more photos.

There’s a secret about dreams. Roberto,* a young man in Iowa dreaming about his future, can tell you all about it: “You can never see the [mountain] peak; you just climb the mountain until you depart from this earth.”

As a young child, Roberto was brought to the United States from Mexico by his parents. Twenty years later, like the hundreds of thousands of other undocumented young people known as “DREAMers,” Roberto is struggling to fulfill his vision of school, career, and family.

Sandra Sanchez talks immigration reform on the Fallon Forum

Sandra Sanchez

On the February 7, 2013 edition of the Fallon Forum, Sandra Sanchez, AFSC Iowa Immigrants Voice Program Director, discusses the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform. (Sandra's portion of the program runs from the 11:20 to the 25:10 minute mark.)

Who we are

AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Learn more

Where we work

AFSC has office around the world. To see a complete list see the Where We Work page.

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