Advocacy: Your calls are needed to protect DACA! Call to support the BRIDGE Act!
Advocacy and Engagement Email
Please support our efforts to promote greater engagement of the Latino community
and to continue leadership development.
Si se puede! Su VOTO Es Su Voz!
#GALatinoVote #iamGALEO
Jan. 24, 2017
DACA is still in place, but there is still a real possibility for the Executive Order to be rescinded by the Trump Administration. Your support for the BRIDGE Act is essential. Please call our members of Congress and ask for their support.
Additionally, the U.S. Senate had two hearings on anti-immigrant U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to become the next U.S. Attorney General in the Trump Administration. Many civil rights group oppose his nomination because of his career opposing civil rights, immigrants rights, women’s rights and GLBT rights. Please take a look below on some action you can still take this week.
Please join our advocacy efforts by joining our texting campaign. The image to the right is our latest way to engage with our supporters in a timely manner and make our efforts more effective. Please stay engaged by texting the word IMMIGRATION to the short code number 864237. This will add you to our texting program to ensure we speak up at needed times.
Please see other ways in which you can engage below.
Our work during the election of 2016 definitely had significant impact. Preliminary numbers indicate that the #GALatinoVote broke records. A full analysis is being conducted and more information will be release in 2017. Stay tuned. BUT know that the #GALatinoVote grows stronger every day.
Once again, as 2017 begins, please consider the GALEO Latino Community Development Fund as you prioritize your annual donations. Please follow the link here: https://galeo.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/127559/Default.aspx
Also, take a look at what we did together with your support in 2016 by reading our “Year in Review” here: http://2014old.galeo.org/galeo-2016-year-review/
Thank you for your support!
Jerry Gonzalez
Executive Director
GALEO
Support the BRIDGE Act!
BRIDGE Act is being re-introduced. YOUR calls are needed to your Congressman and our U.S. Senators.
The BRIDGE (Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy) Act would provide temporary relief from deportation and employment authorization to individuals who are eligible for the Department of Homeland Security’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program.
DACA provides temporary protection from removal and work authorization to young students and veterans who grew up in the United States if they register with the government, pay a fee, and pass a criminal background check. More than 740,000 young people have received DACA. Temporary protection under the BRIDGE Act would ensure that these young people can continue to work and study and be protected from deportation while Congress debates broader legislation to fix our broken immigration system.
The BRIDGE Act would provide “provisional protected presence” and employment authorization to DACA-eligible individuals. A current DACA recipient would receive provisional protected presence until the expiration date of his or her DACA status and could apply for provisional protected presence prior to that expiration. An individual who is not a DACA recipient but who is eligible for DACA could also apply for provisional protected presence.
Applicants would be required to pay a reasonable fee, undergo criminal background checks, and meet a number of eligibility criteria indicating that they came to the United States as minors, grew up in this country, have pursued an education, have not committed any serious crimes, and do not pose a threat to our country.
An individual’s provisional protected presence and employment authorization would be subject to revocation by DHS if the individual no longer met the eligibility criteria.
The BRIDGE Act would provide provisional protected presence and employment authorization for three years after the date of enactment of the legislation.
Here is some sample language you can use when you call:
Hey my name is xxx, I am a constituent of Representative/Senator from [city] and [any other relevant leadership/company/organization info]. I’m calling to ask for him to co-sponsor the BRIDGE act sponsored by Republican members [info forthcoming] . Will the Congressman/Senator be cosponsoring the bill?
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson: 202.224.3643
Emails him here: https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-me
U.S. Senator David Perdue: 202.224.3521
Online: https://www.perdue.senate.gov/connect/email
U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (Hall County): (202) 225-9893
Online: https://dougcollins.house.gov/email-me/
U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall (Gwinnett County): (202) 225-4272
Online: https://woodall.house.gov/contact
To find your other Congressmen in Georgia, please visit this link:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
Gwinnett County Commissioner Tommy Hunter called U.S. Rep. John Lewis a “racist pig”. He should resign.
Gwinnett County Commissioner who called U.S. Rep. John Lewis a “racist pig” should resign. Please take action and call his office and ask him to resign: 770.822.7003, Tommy.Hunter@gwinnettcounty.com.
Read more here:
Resources for Post Election Concerns and Fears. Please take a look and share.
We have updated these resources, and we will continue to do so as we know more.
Please share this link widely to alleviate fears, concerns and questions many immigrant community members may have.
http://2014old.galeo.org/other-resources/2017-immigrant-community-resources/
YOU are invited! Young Professionals Night at AJFF, presented by Access!
Our friends at the American Jewish Committee and the Young Professionals group invite our network to come out and enjoy the MOVIES with them on Saturday, February 11th!
Please see this link for details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/396357777363594/
FREE legal assistance for LPR’s who qualify to become U.S. citizens on Saturday, Feb 11th. Please sign up!
Volunteers also needed!
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta, along with the Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS), and Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials is hosting a free citizenship workshop February 11th at Georgia Gwinnett College, Student Life Center, 1000 University Ln, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, from 9am-3pm . At this free naturalization workshop, you will be helping green card holders apply for U.S. citizenship. Greencard holders will be given one-on-one assistance in completing their application forms and fee waivers, provided with individual legal review by an attorney, and given a clear list of nextsteps. Non-Attorney volunteers are also needed!
The link for attendees is below:
http://bit.ly/clinic2017feb
We are looking for volunteer attorneys and BIA accredited representatives to assist us the day of in doing attorney consults and final review. No experience in immigration law is required. Training will be provided.
The link to sign up to volunteer is below:
https://volunteer.legal/event/qryXDK95wv/signup
Opposition to Sen. Jeff Sessions is ongoing for his nomination as U.S. Attorney General in the Trump Administration #StopSessions
Five Things You Need to Know About Jeff Sessions (Video)
https://www.facebook.com/americanprogress/videos/10154864034233559/
Five Chilling Ways Senator Jeff Sessions Could Attack Immigrants As Attorney General
From the Resource Guide:
AG nominee Sessions maintains close relationships with extremist anti-immigrant & anti-Muslim groups. #StopSessions http://bit.ly/2hT5sVD
Here are Sessions’ close associations with groups that promote anti-immigrant + anti-Muslim sentiment. #StopSessions http://bit.ly/2hT5sVD
Here’s what you should know about @SenatorSessions and the extreme anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim lobby. #StopSessions http://bit.ly/2hT5sVD
@SenatorSessions knows his real record on race and civil rights is bad. So he’s made up a fake one. #StopSessions http://wpo.st/YziP2
Sessions’ relationship with Breitbart, a platform for white nationalists, should be disqualifying. #StopSessions http://huff.to/2iMJOAV
#IamGALEO
Join us with posting your #iamGALEO pics on social media
GALEO is more than just five letters. GALEO is you. Please post your picture online with the hashtag #IamGALEO on any social media. This will help us demonstrate to legislators that GALEO is supported by people like you! Go ahead and post!
See other videos and posts on social media here!
GALEO Seeking College for Summer & Fall 2017
Interested in working on immigration reform and voter engagement in Georgia?
GALEO seeks undergraduate or graduate students every semester (Spring & Summer) for several part-time internships in community relations and administrative support. All student interns will be required to work a minimum of 10-15 hours per week and work directly with the Executive Director and Program Manager on a variety of important duties.
Please send a resume and writing sample to Maria Palacios, GALEO Program Coordinator at maria@2014old.galeo.org.
For more details about this internship opportunity, please follow this link.
Volunteers are needed to register voters at Naturalization ceremonies!
Many people will become U.S. citizens this year and will need to register to vote. Volunteers are needed to help us with this initiative. Please volunteer if you can!
Schedule for volunteer opportunities is posted on our website here: http://2014old.galeo.org/join-galeo/volunteer/
Let us know by sending an email to harvey@2014old.galeo.org to confirm your interest and feel free to invite friends too!
There will be training necessary for all volunteers before going to the naturalization ceremonies.
Please send us an email and let us know when you can volunteer!
GALEO continues recruiting for the GALEO Institute for Leadership Class of 2017! Deadline is TOMORROW (1/25/17)!
GALEO has graduated over 550 people from all across our state from this great program and we expect this to be a very competitive application process. Please take a look at this opportunity and either recommend someone or apply today! Diverse community members are encouraged to apply!
http://2014old.galeo.org/leadership/gil/
Essay Contest on #CesarChavez for adults and high school students in Georgia!
The GALEO Leadership Council has announced details for the 10th Annual Cesar Chavez Essay Contest. The intention of the contest is to increase awareness of the continual plight of farm workers and their contributions to our state of Georgia while also honoring civil rights legend, Cesar Chavez.
Chavez’s leadership was critical to organizing farm workers and founding what is today known as the United Farm Workers union. Chavez remains one of the foremost Latino leaders in American history. His birthday is recognized as a state holiday in California, Colorado and Texas, and GALEO supports the movement to create a national holiday in honor of Chavez. High school students and adults residing in the state of Georgia are encouraged to participate and submit their essays for entree in one of three categories.
Learn more below:
http://2014old.galeo.org/galeo-announces-10th-annual-cesar-chavez-essay-contest/
Check out our Job Opportunities section on our website!
Are you looking for a new career or job opportunity? Know someone who is looking for a job? Also, some volunteer positions will be posted here from time to time. Please check this link weekly!
GALEO is also seeking an Executive Assistant for a full time position with our team. Please take a look and share. Lots of opportunities for community members.
http://2014old.galeo.org/category/jobs/
Join GALEO & become an active member of our network!
Your membership to GALEO supports our work and also allows for you to become part of the GALEO Leadership Council!
GALEO membership is open to anyone who supports our efforts and mission. Please consider becoming a member to help support our efforts in civic engagement and leadership development of the Latino community in Georgia. Through your membership, YOU make a difference and add your voice to ours! Together, we are STRONGER!
Become part of our GALEO Familia by becoming a MEMBER of GALEO. Once you are a member, you may join our GALEO Leadership Council to engage in the many activities we have going on to promote civic engagement and leadership development of the Latino community.
GALEO Membership: http://tinyurl.com/GALEOMembership
Join the GALEO Familia today!
GALEO & the GALEO Latino Community Development Fund | 888.54GALEO | GALEO.org