MI FAMILIA VOTA EDUCATION FUND SPEAKS OUT AGAINST FLORIDA’S NEW VOTER SUPPRESSION LAW HB1355
January 27, 2012 - 0 comments
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Arizona: Univision Interview on April 23rd Citizenship Workshop
April 27, 2011 - 0 comments
Univision Phoenix interviewed Abigail Duarte, Arizona State Coordinator about the importance of becoming a citizenship and our April 23rd Citizenship Workshop.
STATEMENT BY MI FAMILIA VOTA ON THE 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SB 1070
April 23, 2011 - 0 comments
"One year after the signing of SB 1070, we remain steadfast in our opposition to this law and other similar anti-immigrant laws that have done nothing to address the need for real immigration reform,” said Ben Monterosso, Executive Director of Mi Familia Vota. “Our disapproval of SB1070 has been validated with the federal injunction on many of its provisions.“
Recently, the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals upheld the lower courts decision of enjoining the key provisions such as the one that would have allowed local police officers to become immigration agents thus leading to fears of racial profiling.
“It’s amazing what a difference a year makes,” added Francisco Heredia, Arizona State Director for Mi Familia Vota. “We’ve seen first-hand the devastating effects that SB 1070 has had on our community, on Arizona’s image and on our economy, all in time of a recession. Yet here we are, one year later, and we still have nothing to show for it. We continue to have a broken immigration system and no real solutions from our lawmakers.”
“We’re committed now more than ever to our work to improve Arizona by helping Latinos and our allies become U.S. Citizens, registering infrequent voters to vote, fighting for comprehensive immigration reform, and ultimately having Latinos and their allies come out to vote for those who will best represent their interests," added Heredia.
For more information on upcoming Mi Familia Vota events, click here.
YA ES HORA ¡CIUDADANIA! CAMPAIGN RENEWS COMMITMENT TO CITIZENSHIP
April 21, 2011 - 0 comments
For Immediate Release
April 21, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC— Recently released U.S. Census numbers show an unprecedented growth in the Latino community – 43 percent in the last decade – and Latinos represent more than half of our nation’s growth over the last 10 years. Latinos also play an increasingly vital role in elections across the country, yet an estimated four million Latinos nationwide are still eligible to naturalize as U.S. citizens.
To promote the value of U.S. citizenship and to assist eligible legal permanent residents (LPRs) in navigating the naturalization process, the historic ya es hora ¡CIUDADANIA! campaign continues its continuing its national outreach in 2011, with major coordinated efforts in April, July, and September. Since the campaign’s launch, it has contributed to the record 1.4 million eligible immigrant residents who applied for U.S. citizenship in 2007, held 300 assistance workshops, and fielded more than 89,000 calls to the NALEO Educational Fund’s (888) 838-8682 naturalization information and referral hotline.
The campaign’s latest efforts, which began this month, started with the launch of new special segments and public service announcements that will run nationally and locally across all Univision platforms, as well as on www.UnivisionNoticias.com. Throughout April, campaign partners will host over 30 naturalization assistance workshops across 16 states, and will include events celebrating the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Day of Citizenship on April 30. Many more local events will take place throughout 2011 and 2012.
“More than 50 million Latinos stood up and were counted in the 2010 Census,” said NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas. “It is now time that our legal permanent residents be fully counted in the political process by becoming U.S. citizens, registering to vote, and making their voices heard at the ballot box.”
“AILA is proud to partner with the ya es hora campaign for citizenship clinics across the country,” said AILA Executive Director Crystal Williams. “Our attorneys are excited to help immigrants complete their journey to naturalize and officially become part of the fabric of our country.”
“The growth of Hispanic America in the U.S. will have socio-economic, political and demographic impact across the country and we want to ensure our community is empowered to participate in this country’s political dialogue through civic engagement,” said Cesar Conde, president of Univision Networks. “ya es hora ¡CIUDADANIA! is a resource and a call to action from Univision and its partners for eligible Latinos to become informed and get on the road to naturalization.”
“With radio and television properties in some of the fastest-growing Latino communities in the country, Entravision believes that full participation of all Latinos is vital to our nation’s future,” said Walter Ulloa, Chairman and CEO of Entravision Communications Corporation. “We are proud to be a partner in the ya es hora ¡CIUDADANIA! campaign because of the significant strides that are being made towards the civic engagement of the Latino community.”
“We are honored to have played an integral role in the ya es hora campaign since its launch in 2007,” said impreMedia CEO Mónica Lozano. “We look forward to our continued support of the efforts of the campaign to inform and mobilize Latinos into participating in civic life.”
“The meaningful integration of immigrants into the civic and political life of our country is as American as apple pie and serves the best interest of the nation. NCLR is proud to contribute to that goal, and looks forward to continue helping many more families move along the path to naturalization,” said NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía.
“The Census numbers clearly show that the Latino community drives America’s growth, and America’s future,” said Mi Familia Vota Education Fund Executive Director Ben Monterroso. “It is therefore critical that Latinos eligible to become U.S. citizens take the path to naturalization, so that in addition to playing a role in the economic and cultural vitality of this country, they can also play a larger role in its governance.”
About ya es hora ¡CIUDADANIA!
ya es hora ¡CIUDADANIA! is an unprecedented national campaign coordinated by an alliance of national and local partners across the United States to inform, educate, and motivate eligible legal permanent residents to apply for U.S. citizenship. For more information on ya es hora and its efforts in 2011, please visit www.yaeshora.info.
TALLER DE CIUDADANÍA EL SÁBADO 16 DE ABRIL
April 15, 2011 - 0 comments
Taller de Ciudadanía el sábado 16 de abril
Cerca de 70 mil nevadenses pueden solicitar la ciudadanía americana
Hernando Amaya / El Tiempo – Las Vegas
Uno de los mayores logros de los inmigrantes en Estados Unidos es alcanzar la ciudadanía de este país, estatus con el que adquiere mayores derechos como por ejemplo el poder del voto.
Los ciudadanos americanos también pueden presentar solicitudes para trabajos con el gobierno incluso a nivel federal, tienen mejores oportunidades para inmigrar a sus familiares, pueden viajar libremente dentro y fuera del país, y recibir beneficios públicos, entre otras ventajas.
Sin embargo, sólo en el estado de Nevada se estima que hay 70 mil residentes legales que pueden presentar su solicitud de ciudadanía y aún no lo han hecho, por diversas razones. Este sábado 16 de abril de 10 am a 1 pm en el área de convenciones del hotel y casino Río tienen esa oportunidad mediante el segundo taller gratuito Ya es hora ciudadanía!, que forma parte de la campaña nacional para informar, educar y motivar a los residentes legales a llenar los documentos para la aplicación a la ciudadanía.
En la campaña participan entidades como Caesars Entertainment, Corp, la Campaña por los Derechos Humanos (HRC, por sus siglas en inglés) y Mi Familia Vota, junto a organizaciones y empresas como El Tiempo, Hermandad Mexicana, Democracia USA, la Asociación Colombiana de Las Vegas, SEIU Nevada, la Cámara de Comercio Latina, la Asociación Nacional de Latinos Electos y Funcionarios Nombrados (NALEO, por sus siglas en inglés), y Wells Fargo. También apoyan este esfuerzo, la Cámara de Comercio Asiática, Chihuahua Sin Fronteras, la Fundación Brasileña Don Pedro ll, y Toastmasters en Español
En el evento un selecto grupo de abogados
especializados en temas de inmigración,
varios de ellos en español, ofrecerán asistencia
gratuita para el proceso de documentación para
la Ciudadanía. (Foto El Tiempo).
Los aplicantes elegibles recibirán asistencia gratuita para completar correctamente la forma N-400, así como guía legal en la documentación que pide el servicio de inmigración y naturalización de Estados Unidos.
Los asistentes deben ser mayores de 18 años de edad, ser residente legal permanente al menos durante cinco años (tres años si es casado(a) con ciudadano(a) Americano (a), tener habilidad para leer, escribir, hablar y entender el inglés básico, tener conocimientos básicos de la historia y el gobierno de Estados Unidos, y tener buen caracter moral.
En el evento un selecto grupo de abogados especializados en temas de inmigración, ofrecerán asistencia gratuita a quienes la soliciten, varios de ellos en español. También habrá funcionarios de la oficina de inmigración atentos a responder sus inquietudes. Además de obtener toda la información necesaria para el proceso de ciudadanía, los aplicantes recibirán un kit o paquete complementario así como la guia del examen para estudiar en casa.
Adicionalmente, el Servicio de Inmigración y Naturalización de Estados Unidos requiere que los residentes elegibles presenten un giro postal por $680 con la forma N—400 y la documentación exigida. Sin embargo, si el aplicante no tiene el dinero en ese momento, igualmente se le invita a participar.
Así mismo deben presentar tres formas de identificación _la tarjeta de residencia, identificación estatal, y la tarjeta del seguro social, además de la licencia de matrimonio y el pasaporte, si es necesario. Hergit ‘Coco’ Llenas, voluntaria de la campaña de los Derechos Humanos, dijo que de acuerdo con estadísticas de NALEO y de Mi Familia Vota, hay más de 7.9 millones de residentes legales permanentes en Estados Unidos elegibles para la ciudadanía.
A la fecha, Ya Es Hora ha ayudado a más de 1.4 millones de personas a adquirir la nacionalidad estadounidense, mientras que los latinos constituyeron más del 40% de la población naturalizada en Nevada en el año fiscal 2009, informó Llenas.
Recordó que el primer taller de Ya es Hora Ciudadanía realizado en el Julio del 2010, más de 100 personas recibieron asistencia gratuita, más de 50 completaron su aplicación de ciudadanía, con la asistencia de más de 150 voluntarios de 16 organizaciones participantes.
Para mayor información pueden llamar al 1-888-839-8682.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Texas State Director
April 08, 2011 - 0 comments
Mi Familia Vota Job Announcement
For TX State Director
Mi Familia Vota Education Fund (MFVEF) and Mi Familia Vota (MFV) are 501 (c) 3 & 4 non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to increasing the political voice of the Latino & immigrant community by educating and working within the community on civic participation through voter registration, promotion of citizenship, issue education, grassroots political activism and getting out to vote.
The Texas State Director will oversee Mi Familia Vota Educational Fund’s (501c3) and Mi Familia Vota’s (501c4) operations in the state. This position will be based in the Houston area and will report to the National Executive Director.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Manage all aspects of local Latino non-partisan voter registration, Get-Out-The-Vote, and issue based campaigns in Texas
• Oversee day-to-day management of state operations
• Develop and direct grassroots mobilization efforts
• Directly manage and hire staff
• Collaborate with national staff on budget development, programming, communications, and general operations
• Oversee maintenance of MFV’s voter registration, GOTV and other voter files
• Participate and represent MFV in State c3 and c4 tables as well as other critical civic engagement coalitions and activities
• Act as spokesperson with local and statewide media
• Work closely with MFV Development Director on fundraising plan and execution for Texas
• Work closely with local leaders and partners in order to advance Mi Familia Vota’s agenda/projects throughout state.
• Direct all government and community outreach efforts
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5 or more years experience leading labor, community organizing or electoral campaigns
- Must have BA in related field
- Experience managing field campaigns, including field plan development, execution, evaluation and analysis
- Prior experience and knowledge of working on the Voter Activation Network (VAN)
- Experience directing and managing staff
- Commitment to social and economic justice
- Knowledge of legislative process and political leadership in the state
- Ability to effectively plan and implement work and manage time with minimal supervision
- Ability to work long and irregular hours including nights and weekends
- Driver’s license and reliable car
- Written and verbal Spanish fluency required
- Ability to communicate effectively in one-on-one and group settings, both verbally and in writing; proven presentation skills
MFV is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color and LGBTQ are highly encouraged to apply.
Compensation: Competitive non-profit salary with full benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation and car allowance.
To Apply: Interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume and writing sample to Artie Blanco at artieb@mifamiliavota.net . No calls please. Position open until filled.
Vuelve, Ya Es Hora Ciudadania
April 07, 2011 - 0 comments
Notas Comunitarias-
Por Leslie Contreras/El Tiempo Vuelve, Ya es Hora Ciudadanía
Ya Es Hora Ciudadanía! es una campaña nacional sin precedentes creada con el fin de informar, motivar y educar a los residentes legales a convertirse en ciudadanos. Esta campaña está coordinada por una alianza de entidades locales y nacionales a través de los Estados Unidos.
En julio del 2010, la coalición de Ya Es Hora–Las Vegas sostuvo su primer taller en La Cámara de Comercio Latina (Latin Chamber of Commerce) donde más de 100 personas asistieron al evento en busca de asistencia gratuita. A los participantes se les llenó la solicitud de naturalización (N-400), se les hicieron las fotos tamaño pasaporte y también se les brindó consejería legal y material para pasar el examen.
El objetivo de este esfuerzo ha sido ayudar a los más de 70,000 residentes permanentes legales en Nevada a convertirse en ciudadanos y a guiarlos en sus primeros pasos a través del proceso de ciudadanía americana.
Por favor corra la voz!, haga llegar esta información a su familia, amigos y colegas elegibles para la ciudadanía. La asistencia es GRATUITA!!!
Aquellos que quisieran ayudar como voluntarios en el taller del 16 de abril, favor de escribirnos a Hergit11@hotmail.com
Para más información sobre documentación y requisitos, favor de contactarnos por correo electrónico a YaEsHoraLV@gmail.com o llame a Ya Es Hora al 888-839-8682
Las Vegaa Businesses back Naturalization Workshops
April 06, 2011 - 0 comments
Monday, April 04, 2011
LV businesses back naturalization workshops
Upcoming free sessions aim to help local legal immigrants apply for citizenship
/ Las Vegas Business Press
A series of community naturalization workshops are set to run in Las Vegas as part of the Ya Es Hora ¡Ciudadanía! campaign.
The effort is geared to help legal permanent residents of Las Vegas apply for U.S. citizenship. Eligible applicants can receive free assistance to complete the N-400 citizenship application, obtain passport photos and receive legal guidance. The national campaign has helped more than 1.4 million immigrants apply for U.S. citizenship.
The Las Vegas workshops are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 and Sept. 24 at the Rio Convention Center, 3700 W. Flamingo Road. There will be another workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16 at the East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave.
A coalition of local and national organizations and businesses are helping with the nationwide effort. The first workshop was held at the Latin Chamber of Commerce. More than 100 people came to the event seeking free assistance. More than 50 people completed their citizenship application with the assistance of more than 150 volunteers from the 16 participating organizations.
Partners in the local project include Caesars Entertainment Corp., the Human Rights Campaign, Mi Familia Vota, ASI Conference Systems, the Colombian Association of Las Vegas, Democracia USA, El Tiempo, the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, SEIU Nevada and Wells Fargo. Also supporting the effort are Asian Chamber of Commerce, Chihuahua Sin Fronteras, Dom Pedro ll Brazilian Foundation, Hermandad Mexicana and Toastmasters en Español.
According to Mi Familia Vota, there are more than 70,000 eligible legal permanent residents living in Nevada.
Eligible applicants for U.S. citizenship should preregister for the workshop by calling 888-839-8682 or emailing yaeshoralv@gmail.com.
A screening process to determine eligibility will be completed and those meeting the requirements will be offered assistance. To apply, applicants must be at least 18 years old; a legal permanent resident for at least five years or three years if married to a U.S. citizen; able to read, write, speak and understand basic English; have basic knowledge of U.S. history and government; and be of good moral character.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services require applicants to submit a $680 money order along with N-400 application and other documentation, although participants do not need to pay the application fee at the workshop and may still receive assistance if they do not have the application fee. Participants should bring three forms of identification -- residency card, state identification and Social Security card.
Visit www.yaeshora.info for more information.
Contact reporter Laura Emerson at lemerson@lvbusinesspress.com or 380-4588.
El Llegado de Cesar Chavez (La Voz bi-weekly column in Arizona)
April 01, 2011 - 0 comments
Here is the most recent column in La Voz written by Mayra Sanchez Olaiz, a high school student from Maya High School!
por Mayra Sanchez Olaiz
Cesar Chávez hizo numerosas cosas para mejorar la vida y condiciones de trabajo de los agricultores, en su mayoría mexicanos. Fue reconocido por representar a los trabajadores del campo y luchar por mejores salarios y mejores condiciones.
Hoy en día se le rinde honor y se le recuerda en algunos estados del país por haber luchado utilizando tácticas anti violencia tales como las huelgas de hambre en las cuales obtuvo atención nacional de una manera pacífica y espiritual, ayunando durante 25 días.
Claro Que Si! Cuenta Conmigo! (MFV La Voz Column)
March 29, 2011 - 0 comments
por Bob Unferth
Durante muchos meses en el verano y otoño del 2010, estuve como voluntario de Mi Familia Vota registrando votantes, haciendo llamadas, ayudando con la base de datos, preparando correos y, al final como conductor de los organizadores.
Cuando le preguntaba a la gente en mi mejor español: "¿Regestarse para votar?", normalmente me contestaban, "No hablo inglés". Ahora saben por qué terminé como conductor.
