DREAM Act Vote Imminent!

The Thanksgiving season is the perfect time to give thanks for what we've got. But there are some in the U.S. who are prevented from realizing the American Dream. They are our immigrant youth.

But there's hope: THE DREAM ACT IS COMING UP for a vote very soon!

The CSfC Immigration Reform/In-state Tuition Team urges you to:

1. Call Sen. Reid (866-877-5552). Ask him to keep his promise and bring the DREAM Act for a vote during the lame duck session of Congress!
2. Call Sen. Brown (888-259-8432). Urge him to honor educational opportunities for all students and better our economy by voting YES on the DREAM Act!
3. Join us for phonebanks to call CSfC members on 11/30 and 12/1 6-9pm at RE/MAX Destiny, 907 Mass. Ave. Cambridge

Why we need the DREAM Act:
Each year, 934,000 children, born elsewhere, attend elementary or secondary school in the US. Soon they will be graduating high school, many as honor students, star athletes, aspiring teachers, doctors, and engineers. They were brought here as small children and are officially considered undocumented immigrants. Despite their academic achievements, they face unique barriers to college and to work, wasting their productive talents, as well as their ability to give back to their local communities--and economies--as educated workers.

What would the DREAM Act do?
The Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors (DREAM) Act would allows students who meet very strict requirements to earn conditional permanent residency, and later, citizenship, once they successfully complete two years of college or military service. The DREAM Act would provide educational opportunity and equality to young people who are eager and motivated to succeed - if the U.S. lets them.

What can YOU do TODAY?
1. Call Sen. Reid (866-877-55552). Ask him to keep his promise and bring the DREAM Act for a vote during the Lame Duck session of Congress!
2. Call Sen. Brown (888-259-8432). Urge him to honor educational opportunities for all students and better our economy by voting YES on the DREAM Act!
3. Join us for phonebanks on 11/30 and 12/1 to call CSfC members 6-9pm at RE/MAX Destiny, 907 Mass. Ave. Cambridge (near Central Square, across from the Plough and Stars).

Speaker Pelosi has said she will schedule a vote in the House on Nov. 29th; Sen. Reid has said he will schedule a vote in the Senate on Nov. 30th or Dec. 1st, as a stand alone bill.

We need to give these leaders the courage and political will to move the DREAM Act forward! CSfC's Immigration/In-state Tuition Team has been working on this issue for 18 months. Now we need all CSfC'ers to help us reach the finish line for justice and equality for our immigrant friends and neighbors.

Please call today. Then let us know you've done so by emailing immigration@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com.

Cambridge City Council Rejects Anti-Immigrant Amendment

After a 30-minute discussion that recognized the importance of immigrants both historically and currently to the City of Cambridge. last night the Cambridge City Council unanimously approved a policy Order sponsored by City Councilor Leland Cheung to go on record condemning the Massachusetts Senate's anti-immigrant amendment to the state budget, passed on May 27th.

During the discussion of the Order, nearly every Councilor spoke in favor, and expressed great dismay that such reactionary legislation was even proposed. Councilor Denise Simmons said she was "aghast" at the Senate action. Councilor Tim Toomey, who is also State Representative Toomey, mentioned that if the provision survives in conference, a legislator would have to vote against the entire budget bill to vote against the anti-immigration language. However, if the budget bill passes, Governor Patrick may veto the provision.

Councilor Henrietta Davis noted that Cambridge alone cannot "turn the tide" of reactionary politics, but if other towns and cities pass similar Orders, State legislators might be persuaded to prevent attaching this amendment to the budget. It was suggested that the Order be presented to other municipal officials, with the intent to ask that they lobby in their own municipalities for passage of a similar Order.

Three Cambridge residents, representing or recruited by CSfC, spoke before the Council to urge their support of the Order. Robin Finnegan spoke about the chilling impact of a 24-hour hotline to report undocumented immigrants; Susan Redlich spoke about the value, fairness, and urgency of allowing in-state tuition rates to be paid by academically-qualified undocumented high schoolers seeking to go to college; and Carlos Ponce, who just graduated from Harvard Medical School with an M.D./Ph.D. and is about to start an internship at Mass. General Hospital, and who is also an immigrant, addressed the problematic aspects of the measure from a first-person perspective.

Please continue to speak out against the Senate amendment so that the legislators in conference hear our message loud and clear: the senate amendment does NOT represent the good will of the people of Massachusetts. Members of Sen. Petrucelli's district are also urged to contact him to express your dismay at his position on the bill. Sen. Anthony Petruccelli 617-722-1634

Please also continue to lobby House members to press their leadership to keep this amendment out of the final budget being negotiated between the House and Senate.

The next meeting of the CSfC Immigration Reform/In-state Tuition Team is:

• June 22nd
• 6:30-8:30pm
• Offices of RE/MAX Destiny
• 907 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139
• Between Central Sq & Harvard Sq across from the Plough & Stars, corner of Hancock St.
• Central Square T Station
• Information: immigration@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com or pamela@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

CSfC rallies the State House on June 3rd for immigrants' rights

June 3rd State House Rally

On June 3rd, over five hundred workers, activists, immigrant rights allies, and students rallied at the State House to tell the Massachusetts Senate that the fiercely anti-immigrant budget amendment they passed on the eve of the Memorial Day holiday weekend - does NOT represent the good will of the people of Massachusetts.

The amendment, which passed in the Senate 27-10, severely restricts public assistance to undocumented immigrants, outlaws in-state tuition for undocumented high schoolers, and establishes a 24-hour hotline at the Attorney General's office to drop-a-dime on undocumented workers.

"Who's going to be getting those calls?" asked Somerville State Representative Denise Provost. "Will it be my Italian immigrant neighbors next door? Or will it be my El Salvadoran and Ethiopian neighbors across the street?" she continued. "I don't want that kind of thing going on in my neighborhood. I don't want it going on in my city. I don't want it going on anywhere in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!" said Provost to a cheering crowd.

Immigration Team Visits with Cambridge and Somerville Senators

Members of CSfC's Immigration Reform/In-state Tuition team delivered letters to the Cambridge-Somerville Senate delegation at the State House, 3/4 of whom voted against the repressive measure. Richard Marcus, Ed Maracovitz, Susan Redlich, Tony Mack, and Pamela Goldstein delivered letters of thanks on behalf of CSfC to Sens. Pat Jehlen, Steve Tolman, and newly-elected Senator Sal DiDomenico for opposing the measure.

At Sen. DiDomenico's office, the activists were greeted by aides who said they were receiving much praise from Cambridge and Somerville for Sen. DiDomenico's principled stance (which, they noted, he took despite enormous pressure from others). It was unclear if Sen. DiDomenico was receiving the same praise from other parts of his district.

To the CSfCers' surprise, they were given an impromptu 30-min. meeting with Sen. Anthony Petrucelli, the one Senator from Cambridge-Somerville who voted in favor of the measure. Sen. Petrucelli, a strong proponent of in-state tuition, said that he found other measures within the bill "not unreasonable," as they codified aspects of the law that are already in place administratively.

CSfC expressed disappointment with Sen. Petrucelli's vote, suggesting that the 24-hour hotline both scapegoats and dehumanizes immigrants, based on their perceived nationality, ethnicity, racial characteristics, and languages spoken. Sen. Petrucelli laid partial blame for the city's increasingly anti-immigrant climate on talk radio -- to which CSfC responded that measures like the Senate budget amendment only strengthen such anti-immigrant sentiment and inflame the debate.

Sen. Petrucelli insisted that he had fought hard to remove the anti-in-state tuition provision in the bill. And yet: he still voted for the measure despite the fact that in-state tuition could not be removed. Members of Sen. Petrucelli's district are encouraged to contact him directly to express their dissatisfaction with his vote: Sen. Anthony Petruccelli 617-722-1634

The next step is to make sure the amendment does not become law, by lobbying House members to press their leadership to keep it out of the final budget being negotiated between the House and Senate.

PLEASE come to the next meeting of the CSfC Immigration Reform/In-state Tuition Team:

• June 22nd
• 6:30-8:30pm
• Offices of RE/MAX Destiny
• 907 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139
• Between Central Sq & Harvard Sq across from the Plough & Stars, corner of Hancock St.
• Central Square T Station
• Information: immigration@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com or pamela@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

CSfC Rallies Senator Brown on Immigration Reform - June 3rd

CSfC wants to urge Senator Scott Brown to stand with the minority of reasonable Republican lawmakers and strategists who are willing to put policy ahead of politics and push a comprehensive immigration solution for the US. Brown has started to show that he might be in that wise camp of Republicans, but we have yet to see real action. It's time for him to stand up...

Speak up, Scott! America is waiting

• June 3, 2010
• 4pm
• Beacon Hill (State House grand staircase or Boston Common)

America needs a just and humane immigration policy—and to win it, Massachusetts will need both its senators supporting comprehensive legislation.

So far, Senator Scott Brown has been silent on immigrant rights. We are asking Senator Brown to commit to supporting immigration reform that will bring millions of hardworking immigrants out of the shadows and onto a path to citizenship, and punish employers who exploit immigrant labor.

The people of Massachusetts elected Scott Brown because he said he was going to Washington to solve the big problems. Fair, workable immigration reform will take every voice in Congress.

But Scott Brown is refusing to speak out.

Join CSfC, MIRA, SEIU, and all advocates of justice and equality as we rally in front of Scott Brown's office on June 3rd at 4pm to ask for his support for comprehensive, just immigration reform—and ask him to end his silence on immigration.

Tell Governor Patrick to Support In-State Tuition for the Class of 2010

The Immigration Reform/In-state Tuition team has regrouped following the Jan. 27th Public Hearing at the State House. Alongside our allies at MIRA and SIM, we're shifting focus to the Governor. That's right - Gov. Patrick has the recourse to enact a measure that would allow the 2010 high school graduating class to attend public colleges in Massachusetts at the in-state rate. He also has the drive to do it! So we should be sure he knows we back him. We've drafted a very short, simple call script, some background and talking points, so you can leave a message on the Governor's answering machine. Please do it today! Thanks.

• In-state tuition
• A bill that has languished in Massachusetts for over 6 years
• The time is now
• Please call Governor Patrick today

Read more »

Report Out on Jan 27 Hearing on In-State Tuition

Today's Public Hearing on In-state Tuition legislation was extremely positive overall.

CSfC turned out about a dozen people to the packed hearing room. Great job everyone! Richard and Pamela testified as a panel on behalf of Cambridge-Somerville for Change -- very exciting! Tony, Alex, and Pamela spent the morning visiting cam-som delegation in their offices, introducing themselves to their legislative aides, and having productive conversations about the bill.

About 10 panels and numerous individuals spoke eloquently and powerfully in favor of the bill, including public college deans, immigrant service groups, immigrant students, legal advocates, and labor union leaders. Reps Tim Toomey (Cam.) and Denise Provost (Som.), as well as Sens. Pat Jehlen (Som.) and Alice Wolf (Cam.) all spoke knowledgeably and convincingly on behalf of the legislation. The one detractor during the 2.5 hour hearing came from a member of the Higher Ed. Committee itself: Rep. Don Humason (R-Westfield).

Follow the jump below for the article from the State House News wire.

And see you all next on Feb. 8th at 6:30pm for our next meeting - location TBD.

Read more »

Public Hearing on In-State Tuition - Wed. 1/27

The CSfC Immigration Reform Team needs us now. On Wednesday, January 27th at 1pm, there will be a public hearing on the In-state Tuition legislation we've been working on since last June.

Our immigrant rights allies are counting on CSfC's mobilization capacity.

• Public Hearing on In-state Tuition Legislation
• Wed. 1/27 1pm
• State House Room 2B

The Education Parity Act (H.1175/S.603) will let undocumented immigrant students in MA, most of whom came to Massachusetts as infants or children, pay the same in-state tuition rates as their peers at public colleges. These hard-working high-schoolers are currently charged out-of-state tuition rates that are financially prohibitive, making an education beyond the twelfth grade unaffordable and thus, unattainable.

This is not a discount or a hand-out. Students will have to pay full in-state tuition rates out of pocket with no assistance from federal or state financial aid or scholarships. According to a 2006 MA Taxpayers Foundation report, which stands by these numbers as current today, the Education Parity Act (H.1175/S.603) would bring $2.5 million in new revenue to Massachusetts within 3 years - by increasing income without increasing costs.

CSfC's Immigration Reform/In-state Tuition team supports the youth of our neighborhoods: born in this country or first generation immigrants; documented or undocumented; we think all youth deserve a fair chance to learn and succeed, and that their success lifts up our Commonwealth.

• Public Hearing on In-state Tuition Legislation
• Wed. 1/27 1pm
• State House Room 2B

Twelve other states, including Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma (hardly bastions of liberalism) have already passed similar legislation with wide bipartisan support. Massachusetts, a pillar among education states, is lagging. The time is NOW to eliminate useless barriers for Massachusetts high-schoolers who want to go to college and learn.

Be there:

• Public Hearing on In-state Tuition Legislation
• Wed. 1/27 1pm
• State House Room 2B

Contact: immigration@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

Support in-state tuition for all MA immigrant youth

The CSfC Immigration Reform/In-state Tuition Team is very gratified that the entire Cambridge-Somerville state delegation stands in support of the Education Parity Act (H.1175/S.603), including State Representative Jonathan Hecht, who represents Watertown and Ward 9 Cambridge.

But this important legislation needs a lot more support to pass. You can join our efforts by coming to our next meeting on Jan. 20th at 6:30pm at 359 Cambridge St #8, East Cambridge.

The Education Parity Act will let undocumented immigrant students in MA -- most of whom came to Massachusetts as infants or children -- pay the same in-state tuition rates as their peers at public colleges. These hard-working high-schoolers are currently charged out-of-state tuition rates that are financially prohibitive, making an education beyond the twelfth grade unaffordable and thus, unattainable.

This is not a discount or a hand-out. Students will have to pay full in-state tuition rates out of pocket with no assistance from federal or state financial aid or scholarships. According to a 2006 MA Taxpayers Foundation report – which stands by these numbers as current today -- the Education Parity Act (H.1175/S.603) would bring $2.5 million in new revenue to Massachusetts within 3 years - by increasing income without increasing costs. Twelve other states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Utah, and California, have already passed similar legislation. Massachusetts is lagging.

The time is now to eliminate useless barriers for Massachusetts high-schoolers who want to go to college and learn.

Join the Immigration Reform/In-state Tuition Team for our next meeting on Jan. 20th (the anniversary of Obama's inauguration) at 6:30pm at 359 Cambridge St #8, East Cambridge.

Success!

Ok, so this post is way overdue, but it's high time to point out a recent success for CSfC's Immigration Reform campaign.

Our first time taking our message to the streets yesterday [Nov 14th] was an enormous success! The Watertown Public Library location and the rain, which forced us indoors, provided the perfect combination to attract interested voters.

RESULTS: Drumroll, please...

• 128 total signatures!!
  
• 104 signatures from Watertown !!!

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:
Overall response was quite positive. Those who signed the petition took a few minutes with us to understand the issue. Many who were less aware of the legislation learned about it and then signed. Some took materials on their way in and then came back later to sign the petition.

It wasn't a slam-dunk, though -- some people engaged us about their opposition to the bill or simply walked away when they heard what we were petitioning for.

Here's what one of our volunteer activists has to say after their morning shift:

The morning session was great! Susan and I established our table near the back door--thank you Richard!--and were soon joined by Jim from PHENOM and Watertown resident. More than a handful of Watertown residents signed the petition and we got a few people from Newton and Arlington too.

One immediate triumph was a part-time staff person at the library who is an immigrant and connected to a Boston College faith community and Brighton neighborhood group who wants to help us organize.

Keep it up team.

CSfC to meet with State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

CSfC's Immigration Reform/In-state tuition Team is working hard on the Campaign for Educational Equality. On Monday Sept. 14th at 5pm, team members and CSfC'ers from Ward 9 (Cambridge/Watertown) will meet with State Representative Jon Hecht to urge him to support legislation that would allow immigrant high schoolers in Massachusetts to pay in-state tuition rates at local colleges, instead of the financially prohibitive out-of-state rates they are currently charged.

If you reside in Ward 9 and can join us, please contact immigration@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com.

The main reasons for supporting the legislation are:

1. It’s fair: Right now many immigrant students raised in Massachusetts cannot afford to pay out-of-state tuition rates – which are at least 3x as expensive -- in order to attend UMass, Bunker Hill, or other public colleges. We shouldn’t be punishing our immigrant high schoolers for circumstances beyond their control. Eleven other states have already passed similar legislation with wide bi-partisan support. Massachusetts is lagging.
   

2. It’s good for the economy (Part I): The Education Parity Act would bring over $2.5m in new revenue within 3 years (according to a 2006 MA Taxpayers Foundation report). The Commonwealth invests in these students from K-12 -- wasted investment if these students are then consigned to low-wage jobs (that limit their income potential and tax revenue).
   

3. It’s good for the economy (Part II): 85% of students who attend community or state colleges stay right here in MA (according to a recent oversight hearing in the Higher Education Committee). As Baby Boomers retire, we need a thriving, educated workforce here in Massachusetts to help the State remain innovative and economically strong.

Ward 9 residents, please join CSfC in meeting with Rep. Hecht on Mon. Sept. 14^th (5pm). Rep. Hecht is largely friendly toward the bill, but he still needs some convincing. Hearing from his constituents will be the key to obtaining his support.

CSfC In-State Tuition Campaign gets busy!

Last night 7/29, the CSfC In-State Tuition team heard moving testimony from local immigrant students whose lives are impacted by the passage (or lack thereof) of the Education Parity bill. This bill would provide equal opportunity to in-state tuition rates for hard-working immigrant high schoolers seeking to go to Massachusetts colleges, regardless of their documentation status.

Massachusetts would join 11 other US states that have already passed similar legislation with wide bi-partisan support (including, most recently, Wisconsin, as well as Texas, Utah, NY, CA, OK, and Nebraska). Compassionate, educated, progressive Massachusetts is lagging behind!

Rep. David Torrisi, Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education, must feel there is enough support within the State House to bring this bill to a vote this fall. The next three months are our critical window of oppty.

Those opposed to in-state tuition are very vocal. We need to raise the voice of pro-immigrant Cambridge and Somerville. Our current goal is to influence Cambridge Ward 9 Rep. John Hecht to support this legislation, as it removes unnecessary barriers for our immigrant neighbors who work hard and want to give back to our communities and to our State. Rep. Hecht largely supports the idea.

We seek 5-6 people from Ward 9 to join us and immigrant students from Ward 9 in a meeting with Rep. Hecht in August.

DO YOU LIVE IN CAMBRIDGE WARD 9 and CAN YOU JOIN CSfC in meeting with Rep. Hecht? If so, please email info@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com asap!

Access to College for Local Immigrant Youth

Did you know that many Cambridge-Somerville immigrant high schoolers can’t go to college because they aren't eligible to pay in-state tuition rates, even though they've lived in-state for most or all their lives?

Cambridge-Somerville for Change has joined the statewide push to give our local high schoolers a fair chance at going to college by having the same access to in-state tuition rates as their peers, regardless of their documentation status. Nationally, ten other US states have passed similar legislation with wide bipartisan support. It’s embarrassing that Massachusetts lags behind New Mexico, Texas, Utah, California, New York, Illinois, Washington, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma!

Please join us to help pass Education Opportunity legislation in Massachusetts:

Wed. July 29, 2009
6:15-8:45pm
Cambridge YMCA
Central Square
820 Mass. Ave (across from City Hall)
Directions: http://www.cambridgeymca.org/directions.html
RSVP: http://www.cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

We’ll hear about the momentum of the local campaign, and strategize how we can help to push it over the finish line. We’ll also hear from local immigrant youth about the impact of this legislation (or lack thereof) on their lives.

Immigration is Number 3 on President Obama’s agenda – per his meeting with Democratic leadership on June 25th – immediately following Health Care Reform and Energy/Climate Change. Let’s leverage the community that supported President Obama to support our immigrant friends and neighbors, and help pave the way for comprehensive immigration reform in the year ahead.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Graduates of Cambridge and Somerville high schools should be able to attend state colleges (like Bunker Hill and UMASS) at the same tuition rates as their peers because:

• It's efficient public policy: Since we already invest state resources into these residents, removing barriers for high-performing K-12 students to go to college strengthens Massachusetts communities; it also raises additional revenues for the state (This is not about financial aid or scholarships. It is about charging resident tuition rates to people who are currently excluded).
• It's a matter of social justice: The majority of Cambridge-Somerville immigrants left their home countries due to global economic and political shifts – in which the US has played a part – that make it too difficult or too dangerous to remain at home. Their children are here through no fault of their own. A strong democracy does not abide by an unequal citizenry, consigning certain youth to low-pay dead-end jobs and providing opportunity for others. Yes We Can - end this unjust two-tier system.

For more information:
http://www.miracoalition.org/issues/state/higher-education
http://www.simforus.com/collegeaccess.html

PLEASE JOIN US!
Wed. July 29, 2009
6:15-8:45pm
Cambridge YMCA
Central Square
820 Mass. Ave (across from City Hall)
Directions: http://www.cambridgeymca.org/directions.html
RSVP: http://www.cambridgesomervilleforchange.com