Plenty of Reason to Speak Up on Immigration

Amid all the discussion about calls for national Comprehensive Immigration Reform, we too often lose focus of what we can do locally and on a state level to further true immigration equality. In addition to the Trust Act that would establish new protocols for the fatally flawed Secure Communities Program, there are currently several bills before our State Legislature that would also protect health care access for immigrants, provide a living wage for immigrant domestic workers and care givers, create a safe and responsible procedure for immigrant driver's licensure, make it illegal for employers to retaliate against immigrant workers for exercising their rights and, perhaps most importantly, restore access to our institutions of higher learning to the children of immigrants. During the month of July, each of our elected representatives will be available in their local offices. Regardless of what your position may be on immigration reform and immigrant rights, take this opportunity to tell Mark Stone and Bill Monning and Luis Alejo that the voice of the people of Santa Cruz can be heard every day, and not just on election day.