May. 16, 2012
Save VAWA! House of Representatives Votes on HR 4970 Today
Today, in its reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the House of Representatives is scheduled to consider HR 4970, a bill that includes amendments that endanger immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. HR4970 not only leaves out moderate improvements to VAWA’s protections for immigrant survivors that were included in S1925, the widely supported bipartisan Senate bill, but it also includes amendments that significantly undercut existing protections for immigrant survivors. Although House Republican leaders attempted to address some concerns in their manager’s amendment, the remaining provisions will result in further harm by rolling back protections to victims leaving them without meaningful access to protection, causing processing delays, and frustrating law enforcement efforts in investigating and prosecuting crimes.
For more information, visit: http://4vawa.org/. See NELP’s fact sheet on HR 4970.
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FILED UNDER: Immigration Reform | Legislation | U visas
May. 8, 2012
Immigrant Worker News Updates, May 8, 2012
Whistleblower Workers Face Deportation Despite Obama Administration Policy [Huffington Post]
State Department Revises Foreign Student Job Program After Abuse Complaints [NY Times]
AFL-CIO Report Reveals Latino Immigrant Workers are Highest Group to Die on the Job [Latina Lista]
What Immigration Means for U.S. Employment and Wages [Brookings Institute]
Asparagus Left in the Field Shines Light on Immigration [Tri-City Herald]
NCLR Issues New Report on Latinos in the Poultry Industry [NCLR]
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May. 7, 2012
Workers at Flaum Win Historical Settlement, NLRB Victory
Congratulations to the Brandworkers, NYC IWW, and Focus on the Food Chain!
Workers at Flaum Appetizing have won their campaign with an exemplary global agreement. Workers have recovered $577,000 in unpaid wages and compensation for retaliation along with a binding code of conduct ensuring Flaum comports with all workplace rights going forward including anti-discrimination and health & safety protections. The workers' story was covered by the New York Times, Crain's New York, and Jewish Daily Forward.
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FILED UNDER: Immigrant Workers | NLRB | Organizing | Wage Theft
May. 4, 2012 | Posted by: Eunice Cho
Oppose HR 4970: VAWA Reauthorization Endangers Immigrant Victims of Workplace Crime and Labor
Although the Senate has recently passed S1925, a bipartisan bill reauthorizing VAWA and strengthening protections for immigrant victims of crime, HR 4970 would drastically undercut existing protections for such victims. NELP opposes HR 4970, with specific opposition to Sections 802 and 806 of the bill.
Since its enactment in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has provided critical protections for immigrant survivors of domestic violence and other crimes. This important law, which has always received broad bipartisan support, strengthens law enforcement’s ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute crime, and protects immigrant victims who may fear coming forward due to their immigration status. VAWA supports victims of crimes such as domestic violence, but also provides protection to victims of crimes committed by abusive employers taking advantage of immigrant workers, including rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and involuntary servitude.
Please act! For more information, see NELP's factsheet against HR 4980.
FILED UNDER: U visas
May. 1, 2012
Immigrant Workers Nationwide March for May Day
Immigrant worker organizations nationwide have organized events in support of May Day, or International Workers’ Day. Working in coalition with progressive organizations, labor groups, and the Occupy movement, immigrant worker groups have revitalized the observance of May Day around the country. Here’s a rundown of May Day demonstrations organized across the country that highlight immigrant worker justice:
2012 May Day Protests from Coast to Coast [ABC News]
Immigrant, Labor, Occupy Groups Band Together for May Day Protests [Fox News]
May Day, Occupy Movements Converge for Day of Protests [TPM]
New York: May Day Protests Spread Across Manhattan [WSJ]
Occupy Protests Underway in New York [Washington Post]
Los Angeles: May Day Protests—Thousands to Participate Across L.A. [LA Times]
Van Nuys, CA: May Day March in Van Nuys Focused on Immigration Reform [Contra Costa Times]
Detroit: Metro Detroit Demonstrators Make Noise in May Day Protests [Detroit News]
Atlanta: 150 Atlanta May Day Marchers Call for Repeal of GA and AL Immigration Laws [Florida Times Union]
South Cobb, GA: Undocumented Workers and Occupiers Protest on May Day [SouthcobbPatch]
Denver: Occupy Denver Marches In support of May Day [NECN.com]
U.S. Filipinos Highlight Immigrant Rights on May Day [Asianweek]
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FILED UNDER: Immigrant Workers | Organizing
