Advocacy Email: Your voice is needed. Please call Senators on Public Safety Committee to block SB6.
January 28, 2015
Advocacy Alert
The Georgia Legislature is at work. So far, we have one bill (SB6, Sen. Josh McKoon R-Columbus) that we are tracking that seeks to deny access to driver’s licenses to those who qualify for DACA and DAPA under President Obama’s #ImmigrationAction. The legislation also seeks to give permission to DMV to collect DNA samples. See below for the call to action to ensure we can block this legislation.
In Congress a Border Bill was going to be presented but was delayed due to the weather in D.C. This legislation is problematic and doesn’t solve our broken immigration system.
Your voice and engagement is needed now. Encourage others to join our email advocacy efforts by having them send a text with the word “GALEO” to the number 22828. This process would ask for their email and they can start getting these emails directly.
Take a look at the options below and make a commitment to make a difference in our community by getting involved with us this year! Your voice and engagement is needed! Join us to make a difference.
Stay more engaged and connected at www.facebook.com/GALEO.org. Updates are posted daily on what is happening regarding immigration.
Looking for a new career or job opportunities? Please check out our website and share with others. Link is here: http://2014old.galeo.org/category/professional-development/
Orale! Our work together builds towards greater respect for our community & better inclusion of Latinos in Georgia!
Thank you!
Jerry Gonzalez, GALEO
www.facebook.com/JerryGonzalezGALEO
Help us stop SB6! The legislation would ban access to driver’s licenses to those who qualify for deferred action under #ImmigrationAction and would also deny it to victims of domestic violence. It would also authorize DMV to collect your DNA.
SB6 has been introduced by Georgia State Senator Josh McKoon (R-Columbus). The legislation was written with significant input by a convicted felon and anti-immigrant activist Donald Arthur King. Please see this link for who he is and the Anti-Defamation League’s blog about his efforts (http://blog.adl.org/civil-rights/anti-immigrant-activist-provides-substantial-input-for-georgia-bill).
Right now, we are targeting the Senate’s Public Safety Committee. Please take a moment to call these Senators and tell them some of these talking points on the bill:
SB6 is unconstitutional. A recent federal ruling against the state of Arizona has made this an unworkable plan.
SB6 is bad for Georgia’s economic interests. The legislation would send the wrong message about Georgia’s efforts to attract foreign investment, like we just did with Mercedes Benz. Georgia needs to be a welcoming state and recover from the image problems that happened with HB87 in 2011.
SB6 would undermine public safety. Those who qualify for deferred action also qualify for a federal work permit. The State Attorney General has already provided the legal advice that deferred action status does enable potential drivers access to a drivers license. Given that they have access to a work permit, it would not make sense to deny them the right to drive to work to support their families and pay their fair share of taxes.
SB6 would also target and deny access to many other immigrants who qualify for deferred action status, such as victims of domestic violence. Passing this legislation would further victimize vulnerable population and encourage abusers further.
SB6 will allow the Department of Motor Vehicle to collect DNA from all Georgians accessing a driver’s license.
SB6 was written by a convicted felon and anti-immigrant activist.
There are many other problems with this legislation. It should not be passed.
For more information and legal analysis, please see this link:
http://musingsonimmigration.blogspot.com/2015/01/SB6-is-unconstitutional.html
Ask the Senators below to vote NO on this legislation should it come before them in committee.
Senator Tyler Harper – Chairman (R)
(Ocila, GA) Farmer/businessman
Phone: (404) 463-5263 / Email: Tyler.Harper@senate.ga.gov
Senator John Albers – Vice Chairman (R)
(Roswell, GA) Executive/Business Owner
Phone: (404) 463-8055 / Email: info@senatoralbers.com
Senator Mike Dugan – Secretary (R)
(Carrollton, GA) Retired military/Construction Industry
Phone: (404) 656-7454 / Email: Mike.Dugan@senate.ga.gov
Senator Harold V. Jones II (D)
(Augusta, GA) Attorney
Phone: (404) 463-3942
Senator Valencia Seay (D)
(Riverdale, GA) Businesswoman
Phone: (404) 656-5095 / Email: valencia.seay@senate.ga.gov
Senator Dr. Ben Watson (R)
(Savannah, GA) Medical Doctor
Phone: (404) 656-7880 / Email: ben.watson@senate.ga.gov
Senator Michael Williams (R)
(Cumming, GA) Small Business Owner
Email: michael.williams@senate.ga.gov / Phone: 404.656.7127
Lt. Governor Casey Cage, President of the Senate (R)
(Gainesville, GA)
Phone: (404) 656-5030 / Email: casey.cagle@ltgov.ga.gov
Finally, please read this blog post by Anton Flores, “GA Sen. McKoon’s Senate Bill 6 lacks moral compass”. http://www.alternacommunity.com/2015/01/27/mckoon_sb6/
Recruitment continues for the GALEO Institute for Leadership Class of 2015
Deadline is approaching quickly!
Last day to apply is February 11th, at midnight.
Do you want to become more involved in our community and don’t know how? Do you want to enhance your leadership skills to enhance your job prospects? Do you want to make a difference in our communities?
Then the GALEO Institute for Leadership is for you! All are encouraged to apply. Diversity is a strength and all adults are welcome to apply!
For more information, please visit the link below:
Your help is needed at Naturalization Ceremonies on Fridays!
Help us register new voters!
Last year leading up to the 2014 election, we registered over 7,000 New Americans at naturalization ceremonies. Volunteers are needed on Fridays to help us with this initiative. Please volunteer if you can!
There will be ceremonies on Fridays this year at USCIS in Tucker, GA. Are YOU able to volunteer with us any on Fridays? Let us know by sending an email to samuel@2014old.galeo.org t confirm your participation. Please let us know which Friday ceremonies you may be able to volunteer with us and please provide your cell phone number too. We will follow up with you with more details once you confirm. Feel free to invite friends too!
If you have any questions, please send an email to Samuel Aguilar, GALEO Program Coordinator at samuel@2014old.galeo.org for more details.
Get involved in 2015 with the GALEO Leadership Council! Join us and let’s work on community efforts together!
Meetings are scheduled every month at the Latin American Association Board Room. Come meet the GALEO Leadership Council and hear about the 6 committees that you can be part of. We encourage you to bring a friend as we continue our work for the year.
Please send me an email if you are interested in getting more involved to jerry@2014old.galeo.org.
Stay tuned for other updates.
If YOU would like to join our GALEO Leadership Council, please become a member and let us know that you would like to get involved and participate! http://tinyurl.com/GALEOMembership
GALEO is seeking College Interns for Summer & Fall 2015!
Interested in working on immigration reform and voter engagement in Georgia?
GALEO seeks undergraduate or graduate students every semester (Spring, Summer & Fall) 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.
For more details, please visit this link:
Please send a resume and writing sample to Samuel Aguilar, GALEO Program Coordinator at samuel@2014old.galeo.org.
2015 Cesar Chavez Essay Contest for Adults & High School Students in Georgia
DEADLINE IS QUICKLY APPROACHING!
FEBRUARY 13, 2015
The goal of this contest is to increase awareness of the continual plight of farm workers and their contributions to America while honoring civil rights legend Cesar Chavez.
All high school students and adults (18+ in age) in the state of Georgia are encouraged to participate and submit their essays for entry. Categories include:
Adult (essay may be submitted in English or Spanish);
High School Student (essay may be in English or Spanish);
and the newest category for ESOL High School Students (essays submitted in English by ESOL students).
1st Prize for the adult category includes an iPad mini compliments of Telemundo Atlanta!
Great prizes have been added! Check out the other prizes listed here.
The winners of the three categories above will read their winning essays at the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 31st 2015 at our 8th Annual Cesar Chavez Ceremony at the Capitol.
To download the contest rules, entry and consent forms, please visit the following link:http://2014old.galeo.org/wp-content/uploads/CCEC-2015-Rules-and-Regulations1.pdf
If you would like to get a PDF of the rules and entry form, please send an request to Samuel Aguilar, GALEO Program Coordinator at samuel@2014old.galeo.org.