by CIRC | Oct 20, 2020 | Blog, Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Ian Pham, Communications and Development Manager – ian@circaction.org, 713 679 0948
COLORADO IMMIGRANTS RIGHT COALITION AND PARTNER ORGANIZATION, CIRC ACTION FUND, TO HOST AN INTERACTIVE BALLOT GUIDE NIGHT
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition and CIRC Action Fund have teamed up to provide voters a comprehensive ballot guide that highlights the initiatives we support and oppose. Scheduled for this Wednesday at 6pm, join us on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/events/664570091120916/
Almost two weeks since ballots have been mailed out to Coloradans, 924,735 have already been returned, underlining how important this election is for people across the state. There are many initiatives that can positively affect our communities across the state. On the flip side, some measures on the ballot would cause further harm on Black, Indigenous, People of Color and low socio-economic backgrounds. The main goal is to inform voters and steer clear of perpetuating even more misinformation during this extremely consequential election.
CIRC and CIRC Action Fund are banding together with COLOR, Padres y Jóvenes Unidos, and Colorado Families First, to provide viewers more comprehensive information about initiatives. Audience members are encouraged to have their ballot nearby to really dig into the language of the ballot and join the conversation during our open question and answer section.
“We want voters to be informed and vote accordingly to what is best for themselves and their loved ones. This election can determine prosperity and safety for ourselves and for future generations. We are definitely at a tipping point where things must change and we see this election as a step towards a more just society.” – Ian Pham, CIRC Action Fund
¹Number is from the Office of the Secretary of State, Jena Griswold, and is official as of October 20. More info: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/newsRoom/pressReleases/2020/PR20201020BallotsReturned.html
by CIRC | Sep 28, 2020 | Blog, Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Ian Pham, Communications and Development Manager – ian@circaction.org, 713 679 0948
CIRC Action Fund Announces 2020 General Election Endorsements
As of today, CIRC Action Fund has called and texted over half a million voters in Colorado, reminding them about the upcoming election and how important it is to use their voice and vote. By Election Day, we will have made over 1 million BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) voter contact attempts talking to folx about their plan to vote, and who we think will best represent them in office. With 36 days left until Nov 3, we are pumped to share our full list of endorsements for the 2020 Election Cycle.
These candidates understand that we cannot go back to business as usual. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that we must stand with and for each other across our differences and against anything and anyone who seeks to divide us. Each endorsed candidate has a platform that will meet the needs of a post-COVID19 reality and have proven to CIRC Action that they will be pro-immigrant champions. Now more than ever, we need progressive champions advocating for immigrant justice across all levels of government.
CIRC Action Fund is committed to ensuring these candidates win their races, but our work doesn’t just stop on November 3rd. It is imperative that we pass a Data Privacy bill, ensuring that ICE is not able to access data from CO government agencies such as the DMV to surveil and detain immigrants. We must also pass a Legal Defense Fund bill, giving immigrants facing deportation the right to an attorney. But time and time again, good progressive bills die in the State Senate. That’s why we have endorsed Paula Dickerson for SD-25 and Chris Kolker for SD-27. They have committed to being pro-immigrant champions and stepping up for their immigrant communities. This is why we are committed to not just winning a Democratic majority in the CO State Senate, but a progressive majority filled with pro-immigrant lawmakers in 2020 and beyond.
In the CO State House, we will work to protect our current pro-immigrant champions up for reelection – Daneya Esgar for HD-46, Bri Buentello for HD-47 and Tony Exum for HD-17. These candidates are running in extremely competitive districts and have strong Republican challengers. By turning out BIPOC in these districts and ensuring that these Representatives win their races, we are showing Colorado how CIRC Action Fund will protect our strongest allies if they valiantly stand up for our immigrant communities at the State Capitol.
On top of endorsing candidates at the CO State House and State Senate, we have endorsed the following candidates for local county commissioner. Beatriz Soto for Garfield County Commissioner District – 2, Marta Loachmin for Boulder County Commissioner – District 2 and Ken Schauer for El Paso County Commissioner District – 3. These County Commissioner seats will be key in ensuring that local sheriffs will not work with ICE to terrorize our immigrant communities. In supporting two of our own CIRC members, Beatriz Soto and Marta Loachmin, we are creating a new generation of lawmakers who will prioritize immigrant issues. They have been on the frontlines of the immigrant rights movement and this is just the beginning of CIRC Action Fund’s journey of ensuring that community has a voice at the table.
By winning key Congressional races – Governor John Hickenlooper for U.S. Senate, Diane Mitch Bush for Congresswoman of CO-3 and protecting Jason Crow for Congressman of CO-6, we will flip the U.S. Senate and finally be able to pass the DREAM Act and enact comprehensive immigration reform.
“Now more than ever, we need true pro-immigrant champions working on our behalf at every level of government. Each of these candidates understand that no matter where we come from or what our color is, immigrants come to our country for a better life for their families. That idea is what ties us together. CIRC Action is proud to endorse these candidates and work with them on building the future we want to see, together. “ Alex Galaena – CIRC Action Fund Managing Director
All eyes are on Colorado. 2020 is the election of our lifetime.
We make the future, and together, we can create a fair immigration process that upholds our values to make this a place of liberty and justice for all.
by CIRC | Sep 17, 2020 | Blog, Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Ian Pham, Communications and Development Manager – ian@circaction.org, 713 679 0948
CO Residents Gather Virtually to Hold Senator Cory Gardner Accountable
In the past few weeks, CIRC Action Fund has hosted residents across the state of CO over Zoom to discuss how they can hold Senator Cory Gardner accountable to the immigrant community. In a new poll released by the Global Strategy Group (GSG) – 59 percent of folks say that they support essential immigrant workers, like health care workers and farm workers, who have worked hard, paid taxes, and helped us get through the coronavirus pandemic should be eligible for financial relief. The majority of Americans favor a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people and a fair and humane immigration system.
So why has HR-6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 and HR-6800, the HEROES Act been sitting on the Senate floor with no plans to be voted on in sight? The American public stands and supports our immigrant workers. It’s time for the Senate to act.
At our weekly statewide Zoom events, CIRC Action Fund has hosted volunteers to do mass textbanking calling on folks to hold Senator Gardner accountable – and act on what he says he supports. In the past two weeks, we have sent over 30,000k text messages and have had constituents send over 200 emails to Senator Gardner, urging him to push for both pieces of legislation to a vote.
CIRC Action Fund Managing Director, Alex Galeana had this to say –
“We cannot forget that immigrant and refugee families have been the bloodline of our state’s diverse history. Which is why we must hold President Trump and Senator Gardner accountable, as they have stopped these families from receiving the health and economic support necessary to survive this pandemic.”
by CIRC | Sep 8, 2020 | Blog
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress enacted three legislative packages to fortify the nation’s health care infrastructure, expand access to testing and treatment, and promote economic recovery. And yet, immigrants were completely excluded from these legislative packages.
As a child of an immigrant family I have seen the trials and tabulations in trying to raise a family in a country that undervalues the workforce that has built this nation. Immigrants have continued to put themselves in danger because they know no other way. Always on the frontlines and here to serve our communities.
DACA recipients have now grown up and gone through high school, college, and university. They have joined parts of the work force that keep America safe from the pandemic by being part of the front lines, lawyers, and other essential industries while at the same time never knowing if they will have a tomorrow.
The next COVID-19 relief package must include direct economic stimulus to all workers, including ITIN filers, mixed-status families and dependents.
COVID-19 has made it increasingly difficult for work authorized immigrants, including DACA and TPS holders, to renew their status and work permits. Congress must automatically extend work permits and status for immigrants with employment authorization.
Lastly, Congress should demand that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) release all immigrants from detention that do not pose a threat to public safety or national security and prohibit immigration enforcement in all but the most exigent of circumstances until the end of the pandemic. Further, given the challenges posed in relation to access to legal counsel at this time, all deportations should be halted.
— Miguel Breceda
