Holding politicians accountable for immigration reform
Community coalition mobilizes to create power, rebuild families

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Local 1000 members and community partners stood up for stronger action on immigration reform at a press conference held November 20—the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s executive actions on immigration—calling on working families to hold politicians accountable for policies that tear families apart and weaken our economy.

Those presidential actions— DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents) and an expansion of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)—would allow eligible undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States to qualify for deferred action which means they could remain in the U.S. temporarily and be protected from deportation and apply for a work permit.
But the full potential of DAPA and DACA is not being realized due to obstructionist legal challenges.

Stalled policy displaces families

“These are real lives, real families being impacted,” said Miguel Cordova, chair of Local 1000’s Latin@ Committee. Cordova pointed out that a majority of the country feels that immigration reform—including a path to citizenship—is needed. 

Working to create real reform, Local 1000 and other members of the Sacramento Immigration Coalition are engaging communities at the grass-roots level. Union members are going house-to-house in areas with large immigrant populations, engaging people to come forward, speak their concerns and become active in the political process.

Holding lawmakers accountable

“It’s never been more important to hold politicians accountable for enacting stalled policies,” said Margarita Maldonado, Local 1000 vice president for bargaining. “We must harness the political power of the millions of American families suffering displacement.” 

“So many politicians have walked away from their responsibility to fix immigration, but we can’t give up,” said Maldonado, adding that “we can effect this change if the majority of voters who favor immigration reform make the issue a priority at the voting booth next year.”