2016 National Convening
MEMBERSHIP
YEO F r o n t l i n e N e w s • S u m m e r 2016 • PG 7
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w w w .YEON e t w o r k . o r g
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We began Sunday with a look at the timely issue of migration. Our
plenary panel cut through the rhetoric that demonizes immigrants
and refugees and offered insights on what young electeds can do
to combat xenophobia and Islamophobia in their communities.
Our last panel of the Convening concerned mass incarceration,
policing, and violence amid our nation’s dysfunctional justice
system, providing the framework for our powerful closing plenary.
Kim Foxx issued a call to action to the young electeds to continue
to advocate for justice and transparency in their work—issues at the
forefront of the YEO Network.
Millions of families across the United States were devastated after
the Supreme Court upheld the nationwide injunction of President
Obama’s immigration reform plan that expanded Deferred Action
for Childhood Arrivals (DACA+) and Deferred Actions for Parents
of Americans (DAPA) to provide temporary relief for certain
undocumented immigrants from deportation. The split means that
the president’s plan is blocked for the rest of his term. Because of
this decision, over four million immigrant families and their children
now face an uncertain future, potentially including deportation.
In 2015, the Center for American Progress (CAP) issued a report
highlighting the economic impacts of allowing individuals to
participate in deferred action programs. The report indicates that
these plans – DACA, DACA+, and DAPA – will expand the U.S.
economy by $230 billion over 10 years. DACA allowed more than
two-thirds of recipients to secure higher paying jobs, and their
wages rose by an average of 45 percent. Higher wages are crucial for
economic growth and translate into increased tax revenue.
The benefits for individuals and families are undeniable. By allowing
recipients to access higher paying jobs, DACA allows individuals
to afford higher education. Additionally, DACA recipients can
support their families with rent and utilities, while DAPA protects
immigrant parents residing in the US since 2010 with children
who are either American citizens or permanent residents from
deportation. However, after the Supreme Court’s indecision,
millions of children fear that their parents could be detained and
deported at any time.
The Court’s decision on these programs that protect millions
of America’s immigrants serves as a critical reminder that our
immigration system is broken and urgently needs reform. This
is especially important today as the US presidential elections
have contributed to the rise of xenophobic
and hateful rhetoric against refugees and
immigrants.
Immigration advocates and organizations
continue to urge the Department of Justice to
petition the Supreme Court for a DACA+/
DAPA rehearing when a ninth justice is
confirmed, and many organizers are focused
on comprehensive immigration reform.
NETWORKING
On Saturday we heard Univision’s Ron Estrada discuss the issues
that mobilize Latino communities and the most effective ways to
increase civic engagement with various groups. We followed with
a panel on the future of work and how the “sharing” and caring
economies are fundamentally changing it. After skills sessions
on reducing student debt and college affordability, engaging with
youth, and drafting strong op-eds, we returned to a plenary panel
on ways elected leaders and grassroots activists can work together
to advance change in their communities. Our following panel
considered the current Supreme Court vacancy and the high stakes
for progressives in the confirmation battle. We closed the day with
a panel on bolstering affordable housing and ensuring the resiliency
of our communities.
Immigration Reform
COVER
CONTINUED:
Policy Link