A look at the border Photos,
(Photos by Betty Malmgren)
From Easy English Times March 2007 issue
News note
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been conducting raids recently, primarily in
Our readers write
Teachers concerned about ICE raids
Dear editor,
We are teachers of English as a Second Language to adults in
The lives of these people have become a nightmare. Neighbors, friends and families have been traumatized by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents breaking down doors and seizing anyone without documents.
People have been stopped on the street by the police and asked for ID. One woman was not able to produce any ID. The police took her car away on the spot, leaving her there with her small child. Immigrant mothers are afraid of getting deported and ripped apart from their young children and their husbands. Children are fearful that their moms will get arrested and not be there to pick them up after school.
You can read about some more cases in the accompanying stories written by our students.
Even before these recent raids, our students shared stories of being separated from their children who were growing up with grandparents in their native countries. They tell us of people who have had their parents get sick or who have died and they are unable to go back to visit or to their funerals.
We have heard of people who worked for $2.00 a day in
They are human beings, not criminals. We say: Stop the raids, arrests and deportations!
Signed by 28 teachers (over half of our staff)
West Contra Costa Adult Education
Students tell their stories
(Editor's note: The students who wrote these stories requested that their names not be used.)
The Ortiz family was a victim of ICE roundups
by anonymous
On January 8 around 6 a.m., the Ortiz family was a victim of ICE roundups in the city of
Then the agents asked her many other questions. She said, "I don't speak a lot of English. Let me ask my husband." She tried to go inside her house alone, but the ICE agents held the door and went inside too. They opened the doors to every room in the house. Two children and Mr. Ortiz were asleep. The children woke up afraid because the agents turned their lights on their faces.
Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz were arrested and the children were almost taken to Child Protective Services. Mr. Ortiz called some relatives who came to take care of their children. Mr. and Mrs. Ortiz were transported to immigration offices in
After Mrs. Ortiz' relatives posted $15,000 bail, the ICE agents dropped her off at the bus station. This was terrible because she didn't have any money. She was afraid. She sold her earrings to get some money to take a taxi and spent the night at the
The people live in fear
by anonymous
I'm thinking the situation is not so good because many people will not have the same life as before. The people live in fear and are scared after the arrests. Many people have lived in the
My friend and her daughter are in trauma
by anonymous
I'm writing this story because of the panic we are living in about immigration. My friend and her six-year-old daughter are in trauma. On January 31 at 6 p.m. my friend was surprised by many police saying that they have a warrant. Because of fear, she didn't open the door of her apartment. They broke down the door. They entered her apartment and searched everything. They said, "We give you two weeks to empty your apartment and go."
How long is it going to take to make the psychological trauma of this child disappear? Until when are we going to live without persecution?
Editor's Note: Immigration is an important topic in Easy English Times. Citizenship information is included in each issue. Below is a story from our archives.
Citizenship
The First Amendment
May, 2006 -- Our citizenship story this month (May, 2006) celebrates free speech and the American right to protest. Immigration marches were held across the country last month. While this newspaper is being printed on May 1, other protests are being held. People also write letters to the editor expressing different opinions on immigration and the proposed legislation. Debates on this issue are being held across the country.
Protests against the war are also being held. Many demonstrated on the third anniversary of the war in Iraq. Those who support the war in Iraq hold rallies.
Recently, President George Bush made a rare visit to California. Supporters of the President and those who want to impeach him stood shoulder to shoulder at every stop on his visit to California. Protesters and supporters often greet him whenever he travels or speaks.
These three topics--immigration, the war in Iraq and the President’s job performance--are making headlines in major newspapers. This citizenship lesson is unfolding on the six o’clock news. However these issues are too large and complex to be dealt with in depth in the pages of this small newspaper. What we can do here is to start the discussion. We hope they will be topics for class discussion and for student writing. The photos in this issue show Americans exercising their First Amendment rights. This citizenship lesson is reflected in their faces.
An immigration march in Napa, California in April...It was well organized and peaceful! See photos below:
President Bush Visited Napa Valley, California, in May. Supporters and those who have issues with the President stood side by side. Other people had signs about issues from immigration to the environment. Photos below:
A war protest was held in Napa, California, on the third anniversary of the war in Iraq. See photos below:
Photos by Betty Malmgren