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Location: St Bernadette Catholic Church - 1005 Wilbon Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Petition: http://bit.ly/noljosenc
The driver’s license issue could not be more obvious than now. Another family is at risk of being torn apart all because North Carolina does not issue driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.
His name is Jose Guillermo Ortiz. He is a father or 3 US citizen kids - Luis (6), Gloria (4), and Joselyn (3). On a morning in May when Jose was on his way to work, he had a minor traffic accident. When the officer who arrived at the scene asked him for his driver’s license and Jose could not provide it, the officer proceeded to arrest him. What should’ve been a simple traffic ticket, turned into Jose ending up under the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Jose had shown the officer his consular ID card with his picture, as it was the only form of ID he had with him. In a racist move, the officer took Jose to the Wake County jail where he knew he would be processed.
Jose was released after a week in jail but had an immigration court date to attend. At his last hearing, Jose Guillermo was not granted favorable prosecutorial discretion like the Morton Memo instructs for immigrants like him. He was forced to take voluntary departure and now faces deportation on May 23rd, in just 8 days!
We need your help to stop Jose’s deportation. If you can attend tonight’s vigil at 6 pm at St Bernadette Catholic Church (1005 Wilbon Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC), please do. If you can’t make it, however, you can SIGN and SHARE his petition calling on ICE to stop his deportation immediately. No family should be torn apart because the primary breadwinner cannot obtain a driver’s license.
Thank you for your support!
Contact:
Viridiana Martinez
(919) 704-0599
viridiana@thencdreamteam.org
Detained After Minor Traffic Accident: ICE, Drop the Hold on Fabiana!
Durham, NC – On Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 Fabiana Palomo-Muniz (A# 096-114-526) was involved in a minor traffic accident for which she was ticketed and taken to the Wake County Detention Center. Since Wake County participates in the 287(g) program, a county contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Fabiana is now detained and facing deportation instead of being released to her community despite having no criminal record.
Fabiana came to the US 8 years ago in search of a better life. For the past 6 years she has been living in Durham, NC and has been a dedicated and respected community member at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Fabiana has been working hard to help her community and has helped guide many youth within her church to better themselves by providing mentorship as a volunteer coordinator of the Latino Youth Ministry Program.
A prayer vigil will be held in Fabiana’s church to push for her release and deportation to be halted. Family, friends, and at least 100 church members and supporters are expected to attend. Over 500 petition signatures calling on ICE to release Fabiana have been gathered.
When: Monday, April 29th, 2013 @ 6:00pm
Where: Immaculate Inception Catholic Church, 810 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC
Online Petition: http://action.dreamactivist.org/northcarolina/fabiana
Our community thrives and depends on dedicated and values oriented people like Fabiana. She is an asset to this state and country. Fabiana should not be torn away from her family that includes her US citizen niece, 11 years old, and nephew, 6 months old, who she helps provide childcare for. Additionally, at church she develops the leadership skills of youth within the youth ministry group and provides support for the parents so that positive relationships are developed with their children. This type of volunteer work is essential for the positive development of US youth so that they are goal oriented and developed to be the leaders of tomorrow.
If deported, Fabiana’s family and church community will suffer. Fabiana is a low priority for deportation according to the Morton Memo released by DHS in 2011. Fabiana’s ICE hold should be dropped and she should be released immediately.
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The NC DREAM Team is an organization composed of undocumented immigrant youth and allies. We are dedicated to the creation of a sustainable, community-led immigrant rights movement in North Carolina. We aim to help undocumented youth recognize our individual and collective power to activate our communities.
April 11, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jose Torres-Don
Mobile: 512-744-8804
Email: jose.torresdon@gmail.com
NC DREAM Team Supports RECLAIM NC Act:
Coming Out of the Shadows
RALEIGH, NC—The North Carolina DREAM Team (NCDT) supports Republican led initiatives for continued dialogue on immigration matters in North Carolina. On Wednesday, Republican Representatives Warren, Jordan, Brown and Collins filed House Bill 786-the RECLAIM NC Act that includes a process for bringing undocumented immigrants in NC out of the shadows through a driving permit. As undocumented people we are living through the consequences of the failed promises in the past decade from the national Democratic Party on immigration reform. We welcome this initiative from NC Republicans as a signal of their better understanding of the value in this opportunity to move North Carolina forward in a way that is inclusive of the Hispanic Community. We call on the leadership of this state, both Republicans and Democrats, to resist the bullying tactics of extreme anti-immigrant factions and arrive at reasonable policies in the best interest of the state’s economy and public safety.
In the summer of 2006 NC changed its laws that made it impossible for our undocumented families to obtain or renew driver’s licenses. This change was made under the leadership by then Democratic Governor, Mike Easley, who signed the Technical Corrections Act on August 27th, 2006. In the years that have followed, undocumented community members have been and continue to be deported as a result of not being able to produce a driver’s license. We intend to fully engage in conversation on initiatives from both, Republicans and Democrats, for the possibility of a driving permit. All legislators must propose and pass meaningful legislation that elevates outcomes over false rhetoric of hope. We welcome all initiatives independent of party affiliation.
To address the concerns that this proposal sounds like a round ‘em up and deport ‘em type of policy, our everyday lives remind us that this is vigorously happening already to our community under the leadership of the national Democratic Party. NCDT member, Viridiana Martinez, 26, previously detained in an immigrant detention center in Florida experienced first-hand such destructive policies of the Obama administration. Martinez states, “there is a cruel deceptiveness in the “low priority for deportation” directive from Obama that is nothing more than a talking point… we seek an alternative to the status quo”. Currently NCDT is rallying to stop the Deportation of dedicated grandfather and Boy Scouts soccer coach, Eduardo Mireles Salazar (Alien Number: 200-717-517), who has been ordered deported from North Carolina as a result of merely driving without a license. For Coach Salazar and the many others that go unnoticed, we support Representatives Warren, Jordan, Brown and Collins in their initiative to seek better solutions.
We are aware there are problematic provisions within the proposed bill and we intend to provide our voice to that discussion so that there is understanding of the community directly affected. The NC DREAM Team looks forward to having a bigger conversation about the enlightened self-interest for Republicans in NC to align with the national leadership of the GOP that has signaled a more reasonable approach in dealing with immigration and with that fostering a better relationship with a growing Hispanic political base.
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The NC DREAM Team is an organization composed of undocumented immigrant youth and allies who are dedicated to the creation of a sustainable, community-led immigrant rights movement in North Carolina. We aim to help undocumented youth recognize their individual and collective power to activate their communities.
I got this in my inbox yesterday:
ICE detainee passes away at Conroe Regional Medical Center in HoustonHOUSTON — A Honduran national, who has been in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since Nov. 5, 2012, passed away Friday at Conroe Regional Medical Center (CRMC) due to lymphoma and related complications.Pablo Ortiz-Matamoros, 25, was transferred to ICE custody from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Nov. 5. On Jan. 29, Ortiz-Matamoros was admitted to CRMC for jaundice, lethargy and weight loss. He passed away Feb. 8 at about 1p.m. (CST).Ortiz-Matamoros’ next of kin was by his side at the time of his passing.Consistent with ICE protocol, the appropriate state health and local law enforcement agencies have also been informed, along with consular officials from Honduras.Ortiz-Matamoros is the second detainee to pass away in ICE custody in fiscal year 2013.# ICE #
As I read and re-read, I don’t even know what to feel anymore…sad, angry, happy that Pablo, if even in death, finally gets relief from the hell he must have been in while in immigration custody. We often hear of detained people in desperate need of medical attention and just like in Pablo’s case, “consistent with ICE protocol”, too little, too late is done. A 25 year old is gone just like that. He was my age. Most likely he had a huge responsibility over his head to ensure survival for his family. Where are they left now? Who has a real answer for them when all that can be talked about, by advocates and the Obama administration, are talking points for a superficial immigration reform. Keep your script people.
My thoughts go out to Pablo Ortiz-Matamoros’ family and loved ones. I can’t even begin to imagine the rage they must feel.
In memory of Pablo, I’m signing these petitions and making the following calls. Hope you can join me.
Adrian is peeing blood and is in need of urgent surgery:
Flavio Ramos Cruz needs surgery:
Isaias Valles Castrejon’s family needs him.
And more!
His children with medical needs need him now more than ever.
Miguel Caldo: http://action.dreamactivist.org/dui/
No one deserves the pain and trauma of deportation.
Looks like our state’s new administration already started off on the wrong foot.
Lt. Governor Dan Forest
According to Lt. Governor Dan Forest, ”a person entering the United States illegally should not be afforded the privileges reserved for US citizens”. So, there you have it. Lt. Governor Dan Forest does not support DREAMers and our communities. Shame on him!
For all media inquiries, email viridiana@thencdreamteam.org or call Cinthia at (919) 985-5868.
Attorney General Roy Cooper announced today that DACA holders do bear legal presence and are therefore entitled to obtain a driver license under North Carolina State law.
After public outcry and pressure from immigrant youth and our supporters, we will get our license back! We just got official notice from the office of Attorney General Roy Cooper:
“It is therefore our opinion that individuals who have been granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy directive are lawfully present in the United States during the period of deferment. As such, N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-7(s), which states that DMV shall issue a drivers license of limited duration to person who present valid documentation demonstrating deferment and meet all other statutory requirements, requires that such licenses be issued.”
This was problematic from the beginning as it is by North Carolina law that DACA holders can obtain a driver license. Let this be yet another example that when we stand up and fight back together, we can make clear demands to any government agency. We are our own voice! Somos nuestra propia voz! We are our own power! Nosotros tenemos el poder!
It’s been stated by the NC Department of Transportation, that licenses will no longer be given to those who are DACA eligible and has revoked those that have already gone out. But that doesn’t mean we should give up or that we are powerless to change what’s happening.
A march is being planned for this Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the North Carolina Department of Transportation, 1 S Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC. There’s a Facebook event with all the details. Click here to confirm your assistance or to send immigrant youth in NC a message of support!
If you can’t make it, start an event in your city demanding this backwards policy be overturned. We’ve also created a petition with the numbers of those people who can make things right. Sign the petition, call as much as possible, and spread it widely.
Petition: http://bit.ly/licensenc
Attorney General Roy Cooper has the power to overturn this policy. In fact, the NCDOT is waiting for clarification from him that DACA holders do bear legal presence. Give him a call and ask him to give us our licenses back!
MAKE A CALL: (919) 716-6400
Sample script: “Hi, I am calling to urge Attorney General Roy Cooper to reverse the backwards policy of denying driver’s licenses to recipients of deferred action. According to NC state law, all it takes to get a driver license is legal presence. Please reinstate the issuance of driver licenses to DACA holders now.”
In the meantime, the NC DMV has changed their requirements to obtain a license, specifically excluding DACA holders (code c33). This is senseless as it keeps immigrant youth from driving to the same jobs they’ve been authorized to work at. Make one last call!
NC Department of Transportation – (919) 707-2800
Sample script: “Hi, I’m calling to urge NC Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata to reverse the backwards policy of denying driver licenses to recipients of deferred action. They have been authorized to legally work, let them drive!”
Believe us when we say, this is only the beginning if things don’t change, and FAST. We’re not letting this go without a fight, and neither should you.
by Viridiana B. Martínez
I recently ran across the case of Stephanie Nickerson. She’s a 25-year old Black mujer who was beaten by a Durham Police officer. She was chillin at her friend’s house when the police showed up. Stephanie told her friend she didn’t have to open the door. The officers had no search warrant.
Things escalated. Before she knew it, Stephanie was being slammed to the ground, held by the neck, and punched in the face and head. Stephanie had just become a victim of police brutality.
Whatever your stance is on the level of authority law enforcement has, we can all agree that Officer Brian Schnee had no reason to even touch Stephanie. Stephanie’s friends and family and the Durham community are asking folks to sign the petition asking Durham Police Department to immediately drop all charges against Stephanie, suspend Officer Schnee while a full and independent investigation takes place, and file assault and battery charges against the Durham police officer.
As an illegal immigrant mujer, I know too well the many ways in which local law enforcement abuses of its power. About six months ago, I met an illegal immigrant woman at Broward Detention Center by the name of Laura Cartagena (A# 078-922-847). Laura is detained at BTC after a Miami police officer entered her home, beat her down, and arrested her. Laura was visited by an investigator at Miami Police’s anti-corruption unit. He told Laura she had no charges, took photos of her bruises, and asked her why she is still being detained. Laura remains held at Broward Transitional Center where she could be deported any day despite being eligible for a U-Visa.
Both Stephanie and Laura are now dealing with the trauma of being beaten and completely stripped of their humanity. The consequences of what these two mujeres of color are dealing with may not be the same; justice for Laura has not even begun to happen as she’s still detained and faces deportation every single day. However, the common denominator in these cases is that both of these women, like many women of color, are the victims of a racist criminal system that funnels our communities into prisons and detention centers. You can shout and rejoice every single day because our president is black and blah blah blah. But what good is that if our communities are STILL criminalized?! What good is that if our communities are STILL marginalized?! What good is that if the officer who attacked Stephanie is still “protecting and serving” the Durham community and Laura is still facing deportation to a country where she could be killed?!
As the directly impacted by this broken system, we must unite and we must fight back.
Miguel Tzitzios was being held at North Georgia Detention Center despite being a low priority case. So much for Obama keeping his promises. But with your help we were able to do it. Miguel was released from North Georgia TODAY, after almost 2 months in detention! Thank you to everyone who signed the petition, made the calls, and supported him in every way possible. This proves the power we have as a community! We will keep you updated on his case. Thanks again for taking action!
His daughter Cristina Tzitzios sends this note:
“Primero le quiero dar Gracias a Dios porque sin el nada de esto estaria pasando. Pero tambien le quiero dar gracias a todos los que nos apoyaron en esta dura jornada! Sin sus llamadas, sus firmas, y el apoyo esto no hubiera sucedido. Gracias NC DREAM TEAM, you guys are amazing and do great things for families like mine!! Porfin termino esta pesadilla y mi papi estara con nosotros esta noche! La fe es lo ultimo que se pierde! I love y’all!.”
Miguel was released from North Georgia Detention Center, the same state where several other families are being held. Take Marisela’s case for example, ICE showed up at Marisela’s home in October asking for her cousin. She was taken into custody after providing her consular ID card and is now being held at Irwin Detention Center in Georgia. Marisela is a DREAMer and sole provider for her US citizen daughter. President Obama has said he is not deporting DREAMers. So why is Marisela still detained?
So make sure to SIGN and SHARE the petition to release Marisela! Make sure to call ICE to tell them to release her immediately. Let’s bring Marisela home for Christmas!
On November 12th, Pablo was on his way back home from work when he backed into a car. Pablo drove off thinking no damage was done to the car he backed into but frightened because he doesn’t have a driver’s license. He can’t get one. He’s undocumented.
The police showed up at his apartment later that night looking for him. Pablo was arrested for No Operators License. He is currently sitting at Wake County Detention Center with an ICE hold.
According to the President Obama’s Morton Memo, Pablo meets the requirements for prosecutorial discretion. Pablo has been in the United States since 2005 and he has no criminal background. Why is he still detained with an ICE hold?
Act NOW!
Call Wake County Detention Center at (919) 255-7111 and DC ICE at 202-732-3000!
Sample Script: “Hi, I’m calling to ask that ICE drop the hold on Pablo Caballero-Montoya (inmate #1043830). Pablo is committed to working hard so he can sustain his wife and children who are in college. He has nothing but a No Operators License charge. Please remove the ICE hold and release him immediately.”
