A range of important actions are already planned for the coming months. On August 11-13, a National Immigrant Rights Strategy Convention will be held in Chicago. On the Labor Day weekend in Los Angeles, immigrant rights groups will sponsor a September 2 march, and the traditional union-led march on September 4 will highlight support for immigrants’ rights. In Washington, D.C., a “Legalization now!” march will be organized September 7. And other actions are taking place across the country.

It is important to join in these activities and bring fellow workers, farmers, and young people. Unionists have been part of many of the events, and workers have often put their stamp on such meetings.

The mass demonstrations for legalization of all immigrants have been the biggest and most significant working-class political actions in decades. This includes the 2 million-strong action on May 1, the first nationwide political general strike in U.S. history. Workers who did not go to work that day set a vanguard example for others.

Foreign-born workers have gained confidence in speaking out and becoming involved in political and union activity. Their actions have also had an impact on native-born workers, making it easier to break down employer-fostered divisions. And many immigrants are more predisposed to shed prejudices about their U.S.-born brothers and sisters. This process is living proof that the unfolding wave of immigration has irreversibly strengthened the working class.

Protesters have rejected the bill passed by the House of Representatives that would criminalize all 12 million undocumented workers. The Senate-approved bill should also be rejected—it would reinforce the police crackdown on the border, expand a “guest worker” program, and offer legal status to some after meeting a number of onerous conditions including dependence on employers.

The U.S. government’s immigration policy—including both the House and Senate bills—aims not to expel all the undocumented, but rather to maintain a permanent layer of workers in pariah status, superexploited for the profit of the bosses. This allows employers to foster divisions among our class. The fight for legalization of all undocumented immigrants is in the interests of the entire working class, foreign- and U.S.-born: it is the only way to effectively counter the divide-and-rule tactics of the ruling rich.

The continued mass street actions, conferences, and other events advocating full legalization will provide opportunities to draw more forces in the fight to oppose factory raids, deportations, the National Guard border deployment, and other efforts to criminalize workers without papers. The labor movement, especially, must champion the fight for immediate, unconditional permanent residency for all.
 
 
Related articles:
D.C. conference backs protests, meetings for immigrant rights
Meeting in New Jersey town discusses how to fight anti-immigrant measure
N.Y. protest opposes rightist Minutemen  
 
 
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