CMSC Newsletter 8, Vol. 2, December 22, 2013

Highlights:

  • Obama Approval Down Most Among Latinos in Past Year /
  • L.A. City council calls on president obama to stop deportations
"El Magonista"
Vol.2 No.8
December 22, 2013
Santa, please bring protection to our families and end deportations !
The California-Mexico Studies Center
Armando Vazquez-Ramos President & CEO
1551 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: (562) 430-5541 Cell: (562) 972-0986
 
The California-Mexico Studies Center
Newsletter

 

 
Unfortunately, we cannot extend a "Happy Holidays greeting", as long as the Obama Administration's massive deportation of immigrants have torn so many families, to constitute a form of familicide while legislators and the President is on vacation.

On the bright side, the L.A. City Council just approved unanimously the following resolution and we’re now poised to get California local legislative bodies to approve similar resolutions.This is a historic action by the 2nd largest city in the U.S., and we anticipate many other cities to follow the same course of action as called for by the national “Protect our Families” campaign.In fact, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors have scheduled to consider approving in January 2014 a resolution based on the Cedillo resolution approved today.

If you know a local elected official at a personal level, please ask them to consider providing the leadership role to seek approval of similar resolutions at local school boards, city councils and county boards, respectively.

The “Protect our Families” campaign will meet next Monday, Dec. 23 at 7:00pm in the Gallery of the Mexican Cultural Institute at Plaza Olvera (125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles, Cal. 90012).

For you reference, we’ve attached other relevant documents useful to draft your own version of local resolutions and let us know if we can provide you any assistance.

Saludos y un abrazo,

El profe Armando


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Obama Approval Down Most Among Latinos in Past YearHispanics' approval has fallen from 75% in December 2012 to 52% in November By Jeffrey M. Jones,

Gallup Poll (December 5, 2013)PRINCETON, NJ -- President Barack Obama's job approval rating averaged 41% in November, down 12 percentage points from 53% last December, his high-water mark since his first year in office. Hispanics' approval has dropped 23 points over the last 12 months, the most among major subgroups, and nearly twice the national average. His approval rating also showed above-average declines among low-income Americans, nonwhites, moderates, and moderates who identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party

.

Hispanics' approval ratings of Obama have shown the most variation of any group's ratings throughout his presidency. That means their views of him are less firmly anchored than those of other groups, which may help explain why their opinions of the president soured more than any other group's in recent months. Despite the significant decline in their approval ratings over the past 12 months, a majority of Hispanics, 52%, still approve of the job Obama is doing.

All major subgroups showed at least some decline over the past year in their views of the way Obama is handling his job as president.The subgroups showing the smallest changes are those that are generally least approving of Obama, and thus had less room to drop -- conservatives who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party (from 7% to 5%), self-identified Republicans (from 11% to 8%), and self-identified conservatives of any party affiliation (from 26% to 20%).

Obama's approval rating among his core political supporters -- who started at higher levels of approval last December -- show declines that match or exceed the national average. This includes a 13-point drop among self-identified Democrats, 14 points among self-identified liberals, and 11 points among liberals who identify as Democrats or lean toward the Democratic Party.

Still, these groups remain among the president's strongest supporters, as 78% of Democrats, 70% of liberals, and 82% of liberal Democrats still approve of Obama. Blacks give Obama the highest approval rating of any major subgroup, at 83%, although their approval has fallen by nine points in the last year.

Implications

Obama was re-elected with a 50% job approval rating, based on his October 2012 monthly average, which increased to an average 53% in December 2012. But the president has had a rough start to his second term, with the budget sequester in March, a partial federal government shutdown in October, and problems with the rollout of the 2010 healthcare law this fall. As a result, his job approval declined to 41% in November, matching the lowest monthly average of his presidency to date.The decline is apparent among all major subgroups, but tends to be higher among groups that are predisposed to support the president, perhaps because those grou

ps had higher levels of approval at his recent peak last December and thus had more room to decline. But if the U.S. economy and other national conditions improve in the future, those same groups are likely to lead a resurgence in Obama's approval ratings. The more substantial drop in Hispanics' approval of the president may reflect, in part, the more volatile nature of their ratings. But it is also a troubling sign for the Democratic Party, given that Hispanics represent an increasingly important segment of the electorate.

Explore President Obama's approval ratings in depth and compare them with those of past presidents in the Gallup Presidential Job Approval Center.Survey Methods (

For more details on Gallup's polling methodology, visit www.gallup.com)Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Nov. 1-30, 2013, on the Gallup Daily tracking survey, with a random sample of 14,352 adults, aged 18 and older, and living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±1 percentage point at the 95% confidence level.For results based on the total sample of 1,185 Hispanics, the margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

Interviews are conducted with respondents on landline telephones and cellular phones, with interviews conducted in Spanish for respondents who are primarily Spanish-speaking. Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 50% cellphone respondents and 50% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by region.Landline and cell telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods. Landline respondents are chosen at random within each household on the basis of which member had the most recent birthday.

Samples are weighted to correct for unequal selection probability, nonresponse, and double coverage of landline and cell users in the two sampling frames. They are also weighted to match the national demographics of gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education, region, population density, and phone status (cellphone only/landline only/both, and cellphone mostly). Demographic weighting targets are based on the March 2012 Current Population Survey figures for the aged 18 and older U.S. population. Phone status targets are based on the July-December 2011 National Health Interview Survey. Population density targets are based on the 2010 census. All reported margins of sampling error include the computed design effects for weighting.

In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

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National campaign for Congress Members to sign Reps. Grijalva and Clarke’s letter to President Obama, requesting him to grant temporary protection to all immigrants eligible for legalization, through deferred action by exercising his executive authorityAs we predicted, the Republican leadership that controls the U.S. House of Representatives has blatantly refused to act on immigration reform and ended any possibility of bipartisan legislation to resolve the plight of 11 million immigrants, that will continue to face massive deportation and the separation of families. They deserve the President’s temporary protection for humanitarian reasons and to strengthen the U.S. economy.Thus, we ask all Californians to contact your Congress representative and urge them to sign and support the progressive members of Congress led by Reps. Raul Grijalva and Yvette Clarke, and over 30 other members of congress that have already signed the following letter to President Obama:
“PROTECT OUR FAMILIES” LETTER TO PRES. OBAMA

 

Dear Colleague,

We ask that you join us in signing the letter below asking President Obama to expand the successful deferred action program and suspend any further deportations of those who would be potential citizens under immigration reform.
The civil disobedience action on Tuesday, October 8th has shown our commitment to making sure immigration reform is brought to the floor and families stop being separated. Thousands of people, including labor unions and faith groups, joined our effort on Tuesday to underscore the urgent need for House Republican leadership to take concrete action to ensure that the House of Representatives has votes on immigration reform this year. Those affected by deportations spoke at the rally, including Angel Aguilar, an eleven year old boy whose father was deported. Support Angel and children just like him by urging the President to stop deportations while the House works on a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
The United States is now deporting people at a faster rate than at any time in our modern history, more than 1,100 people per day. Between the years 2008 and 2012, an estimated 1.5 million immigrants were deported. Although the administration has reportedly prioritized deporting only criminals, our broken immigration policy has separated far too many families. According to a 2009 report by the Department of Homeland Security, only 11% of those detained were held for violent crimes.
As we continue our push for immigration reform, and as it is met with opposition, working people should not have to continue to live in fear of separation from their families and our communities. Deferred action would give millions of families the opportunity to contribute to our great nation in a variety of ways. We urge you to join us in building a humane immigration system that addresses our needs as a single society connected by family values, economic needs, and the desire to create a life for ourselves and those we love.
Some of our colleagues worked with representatives from 543 organizations across the nation making this request to the President and we are pleased to formalize it in this letter.
If you would like to join us or have any questions, please contact Christina Partida at christina.partida@mail.house.gov or at 202- 225-2435.
Raúl M. Grijalva Yvette Clarke
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Dear Mr. President,
The undersigned Members of Congress respectfully request that you expand the successful deferred action program and suspend any further deportations of those who would be potential citizens under immigration reform.
We stand by the 543 faith-based, labor, neighborhood, legal, and civil rights organizations, including the AFL-CIO, MALDEF, United We Dream, and NDLON that support this proposal, and agree that this is the best way to advance the path to citizenship for undocumented individuals across the country.
We appreciate your commitment to reforming our nation’s broken immigration policies for the benefit of all. In the context of the intransigence of a small number of legislators that are willing to hold the legislation hostage unless we pass a series of incredibly extreme proposals, a cessation of the deportation of the 1,100 potential citizens expelled daily would do a great deal to set the parameters of the conversation.
Let us not take these policies lightly. Every deportation of a father, a sister, or a neighbor tears at our social consciousness; every unnecessary raid and detention seriously threatens the fabric of civil liberties we swore to uphold. We are talking about American families and American communities. Criminalizing American families or giving local law enforcement the responsibility to choose who stays and who goes, is not the right option.
Our efforts in Congress will only be helped by the sensible and moral step of stopping deportations.
As we have seen with deferred action for childhood arrivals, such relief brings with it the benefit of active participation in the debate by undocumented people themselves. When their stories are known and voices are heard, we have witnessed how the debate shifts. The fear and xenophobia that block progress only shrink in the display of their courage. But left unchecked, the threat of deportations will prevent so many from coming forward and contributing to the national conversation. Instead, the specter of deportation removes the human and grounding element in any political discussion—those individuals who are most directly impacted.
The senseless opposition that neither reflects the public’s will, nor the moral responsibility we hold, should not allow us to prolong the needless suffering of those who could so soon have their place in our society fully recognized. In fact, taking a strong step toward granting relief would move us in the direction of where the immigration debate rightfully should start, with the legalization of eleven million men and women who call the United States their home.
As the debate proceeds, it is necessary to expand the protections of our future citizens that were established by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and grant it to the family and neighbors and all of those who have made their lives here but are yet to be fully recognized.
We cannot continue to witness potential citizens in our districts go through the anguish of deportation when legalization could be just around the corner for them. We look to you to firmly contribute to advancing inclusion for immigrants by suspending deportations and expanding DACA.
Sincerely,
 
The undersigned
 
Raúl M. Grijalva, Yvette Clarke, John Delaney, Jan Schakowsky, Del. Eni Faleomavaega, Dina Titus, Mark Pocan, Marc Veasey, Alcee L. Hastings, Mike Honda, Tony Cardenas, Barbara Lee, Lloyd Doggett, Charles Rangel, Rubén Hinojosa, Filemon Vela, John Lewis, Grace Napolitano, Del. Eleanor Holmes-Norton, Sam Farr, Sheila Jackson Lee, Rush Holt, Bobby L. Rush, Madeleine Bordallo, Gwen Moore, Beto O’Rourke, Luis Gutierez, Alan Lowenthal
----------------------------------------------------------Please contact your congressional representative and ask them to sign the above letter and contact Christina Partida at 202- 225-2435 or at:christina.partida@mail.house.gov

California Congress Members not signed-on to Grijalva/Clarke letter to Pres. Obama:
Name
Phone
Committee Assignment
202-225-5161
BudgetNatural Resources
202-225-1880

AgricultureArmed ServicesTransportation and Infrastructure

202-225-3311
Ways and MeansPermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
202-225-7163
Energy and Commerce
202-225-5716
Foreign AffairsScience, Space, and Technology
202-225-1947
Energy and Commerce
202-225-4540

AgricultureTransportation and InfrastructureVeterans' Affairs

202-225-2095
Education and the Workforce
202-225-4965
Democratic Leader
202-225-3531
Armed ServicesOversight and Government Reform
202-225-5065
Homeland SecurityScience, Space, and Technology
202-225-3341
AgricultureNatural Resources
202-225-2631
Appropriations
202-225-8104
Energy and Commerce
202-225-3072

House AdministrationJudiciaryScience, Space, and Technology

202-225-2861
Appropriations
202-225-4695
Appropriations
202-225-2523
Ways and MeansPermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
202-225-3601
Energy and Commerce
202-225-5811
Science, Space, and TechnologyVeterans' Affairs
202-225-5464
JudiciarySmall Business
202-225-4176
AppropriationsPermanent Select Committee on Intelligence
202-225-5911
Financial ServicesForeign Affairs
202-225-3976
Energy and Commerce
202-225-6235
Ways and Means
202-225-6161
AgricultureVeterans' Affairs
202-225-5330
Natural ResourcesVeterans' Affairs
202-225-7084
Foreign AffairsJudiciary
202-225-6676
EthicsWays and Means
202-225-
1766
Appropriations
202-225-2305
Science, Space, and TechnologyVeterans' Affairs
202-225-2201
Financial Services
202-225-8220
Small BusinessTransportation and Infrastructure
202-225-2965
Armed ServicesHomeland Security
202-225-7924
Foreign AffairsNatural Resources
202-225-8045

AgricultureForeign AffairsHouse Administration

202-225-0508
Armed ServicesScience, Space, and Technology
202-225-2040
Armed ServicesEducation and the Workforce
2nd Issue of Letter & Challenge Due to a Lack of Response !
Open letter to Henry Cisneros and debate challenge on protection of immigrants, instead of massive deportations by President Obama
By Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos, October 14, 2013
Dear Henry,
 
In response to the bipartisan group that has warned pro-deferred action advocates that “pushing President Barack Obama to halt deportations could kill the broader effort” of immigration reform, I’d like to denounce the position taken by the Bipartisan Policy Center's Immigration Task Force that you co-chair, and challenge you to a debate as soon as possible.
 
Henry, lets debate Mano-a-mano anytime and anyplace, or virtually via internet.
 
Nothing personal, just the facts that separate our point of view.
 
I am one of those pro-deferred action advocates and have co-authored 2 opinion editorials that propose for President Obama to grant deferred action or temporary protective status to all 11 million undocumented immigrants now, given that Congress will fail to approve a sensible and inclusive immigration reform in 2013.
 
In fact, as we expressed on our July 26, 2013 Op-Ed (“Time for Obama to give ‘help’, not ‘hope’ on immigration reform promise”*), “deferred action is not amnesty, while Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a long-established administrative function of the Homeland Security Administration. President Obama would temporarily protect the undocumented immigrant until Congress responsibly legislates sensible comprehensive immigration reform, and force Republican legislators to recognize the economic benefits and the political consequences of their continued demonization of immigrants”.
 
This is exactly the reason why President Obama should grant temporary protection to all eligible undocumented immigrants, and authorize a registration process for all those that would benefit from a legalization process.
Thus, I challenge you to a debate because I am deeply disappointed and disturbed that someone of your stature, and other Latinos like Eliseo Medina and Hilda Solis that compose the Bipartisan Policy Center's Immigration Task Force, would conclude that stopping deportations "won't accomplish the objective that we want of comprehensive reform and may create a political environment where it's impossible in any reasonable time frame to get comprehensive immigration reform, because the waters will be so poisoned politically", as reported in the October 10, 2013 Huffington Post article Immigration Reform Group: Halting Deportations Would Hurt Effort (**).Immigration Reform Group: Halting Deportations Would Hurt Effort (**).
 
How blasphemous and arrogant for our own leaders to reach that conclusion, and to accept that Obama has surpassed the two million deportations mark during less than 5 years in office, exceeding the amount of Mexicans deported during the 1930’s under the decade of the Repatriation Act era.
 
As we stated in our Opinion Editorial published by the Hispanic Link News Service (***) last week, “history will judge the path Obama follows: emancipator or deporter-in-chief president. He has the authority and moral responsibility to act on his stated values and end the political charade, as Governor Brown has done to the extent of state (not federal) powers. In addition to the fundamental humanitarian rationale for the president’s protective executive action — the far most important reason for acting — he has a potent economic cause. The United States needs the income. Immigrants contribute a net economic benefit that brings in revenue, subduing the crises currently holding Washington hostage”.
 
In the final analysis, I believe that in spite of two new comprehensive immigration reform bills introduced by democrats, the acrimony between both parties over the shutdown and the GOP’s disdain for President Obama’s health reform, even Democratic Party and union leaders agree behind closed doors on the demise of immigration reform this year.
 
In my opinion, the Democratic Party has squandered the opportunity to leverage and use the threat of executive action by the President, as a tool to pressure the Tea Party-controlled GOP on immigration reform.
 
If the president continues to reject that option, as he stated last month on Telemundo, he also puts at risk that Latinos and other members of immigrant communities may abstain in the 2014 congressional elections.
 
President Obama has the authority and moral responsibility to do this now as a political ‘check mate’ on the political checkerboard to push back the heinous GOP’s intransigence.
 
In closing, I’d like to ask you: if your grandfather, Don Romulo Munguia (who fled Mexico due to political persecution), had been deported- where would you be now and would you feel the same way about deportations today ?
 
I trust that you will accept my challenge for a debate between us, or perhaps between panels with you, Eliseo and Hilda, matched with me and 2 other pro-deferred action advocates like NDLON’s Pablo Alvarado.
 
Perhaps we may convince you and your group to advice President Obama to exercise his executive authority, granting immigrants temporary protection and leaving behind a Lincolnian legacy.
 
~ END ~
Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos is a co-founder of the Cal State Long Beach Chicano and Latino Studies Department and President of the California-Mexico Studies Center (www.california-mexicocenter.org).
Henry Cisneros, was Mayor of San Antonio and former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton.
References:
(*) Piden a Obama aprobar un TPS para todos los indocumentados, Por: La Opinion, EFE Agosto 16, 2013
**Immigration Reform Group: Halting Deportations Would Hurt Effort, The Huffington Post ~ 10/10/2013
**Profesores universitarios piden a Obama que proteja a los indocumentados www.UnivisionAustin.com EFE 10/11/2013
44,000 can’t wait for immigration reform in Congress by Pablo Alvarado - 08/02/13
(*)President Obama’s no-Congress strategy,
By EDWARD-ISAAC DOVERE POLITICO ~ 7/30/13
(*)Immigration Advocates Will Urge Obama Executive Order if Reform Fails
NEWS MAX, Saturday, August 3, 2013
(*)Stopping Deportations Should Be 'Plan A' for Immigration Reform
NDLON http://bit.ly/potusplana, Contact: B. Loewe, 773.791.4668, bloewe@ndlon.org
August 9, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA

(*)Immigration Activists Shift Focus to Obama By Miriam Jordan, The Wall Street Journal, ~ Oct. 13, 2013

Obama must grant protection to immigrants if GOP fails to accept reform now
By Armando Vázquez-Ramos and Primitivo Rodríguez
Hispanic Link News Service, Column No. 5465 ~ 10/10/13

The California-Mexico Studies Center, Inc.1551 N. Studebaker Rd.Long Beach, CA 90815