“The most important thing accomplished at the conference was a consensus of an absolute repudiation of the Senate immigration bill S2611, along with the earlier House bill, and the creation of a statewide steering committee between the coalitions that organized the May Day mobilizations,” Nativo López, president of the Mexican American Political Association, said in an interview. “This network will move the agenda demanding full and immediate legalization for all immigrants.”

The Senate bill includes numerous anti-working-class provisions, such as building hundreds of miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border, more than doubling the Border Patrol cops, and making it easier for la migra to deport immigrants without any review. It would also allow some undocumented workers currently in the United States to gain legal status, after paying heavy fines and meeting other restrictions.

A bill passed by the House of Representatives last December would make it a felony to be in the United States without proper documents and does not allow legalization for any of the undocumented. House leaders announced June 20 they would hold public hearings on the Senate bill in July and August, making it unlikely that Congress will reach agreement on any immigration law soon. The first of these hearings will take place in San Diego July 5. The same day, an Immigrant Rights Tribunal will be held, López reported, one of the activities agreed to at the June 17 conference. The Tribunal will serve as a speakout for those who have lost relatives crossing the desert along the U.S.-Mexico border, had their families separated, and faced deportation. Conference participants also decided to organize teach-ins for July 15, to educate the public about the nature of the Senate bill and win support for legalization.

Meanwhile, according to information posted on www.immigrantsolidarity.org, the National Immigrant Solidarity Network has called a “National Grassroots Immigrant Strategy Conference” July 28-30 at American University in Washington, D.C., to oppose the Senate and House bills and support amnesty for undocumented immigrants and legalization. For more information call 1-800-598-6379.
 
 
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