Help the California 7 stay in school
Martha Vazquez (Highland Park), Isaac Barrera (Boyle Heights), Jorge Herrera (Carson), Jonathan Perez (Montebello), Jesus Barrios (Pomona), David Lemus (South Central LA), and Ju Hong (Berkeley)
July 13th, in San Bernardino they sat and stood their ground in front of San Bernardino Valley College, where students who were undocumented were reported to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) after they committed minor offenses, such as not having a light on their bicycle. The California 7 would not allow this to continue and so they took a stand against the criminalization of immigrants in a place that has been a hub for people like the “minute men”, the Ku Kux Klan and other hate groups.
They were the first group of undocumented youth in California to engage in non-violent civil disobedience. Seven brave undocumented youth risked their own arrest and deportation to stand against “secure communities” and 287G.
Now they need your help, they were not convicted of misdemeanors but rather an infraction thanks to amazing attorneys. But with that infraction come a citation in which all seven students need to pay. Please consider donating so they can continue with school.
Yanelli Is Going to Be Deported on Tuesday – Jan. 31st – Help!
January 30, 2012 in News Article by Mohammad
Stripped naked, tossed into solitary confinement with only a blanket.
That’s how the detention center responded to Yanelli after she almost took her own life. And now, only months later, she is being shipped off away from the only family and friends who might be able to help her get better. Yanelli’s case is urgent, we only have until Tuesday to stop her deportation. Yanelli came to the United States all by herself when she was 13, this means that, if deported, she won’t have anyone to support her.
We need your help to get Yanelli out, she needs to be at home with her family receiving treatment. Things are not looking good
for her, ICE has already moved her to a different location. . . the last stop for detainees before they are deported. We pretty much have 1 day to stop Yanelli’s deportation.
Make a call to John Morton, Director of ICE via one of these numbers:1-800-394-5855 or 202-732-3000 or 1-800-821-9358
Hello I am calling to ask that Yanelli Hernadez (A# 205 012 525) be allowed to stay in the U.S. where she needs treatment. Yanelli is suffering from depression; she has attempted to take her own life twice and should not be deported. This is wrong.
In order to reach our goal of 2,000 calls we need to work together. Can you help us by changing your facebook profile picture to the image here? That way everyone will know exactly what they need to do.
We cannot lose another undocumented youth to suicide; please take action and make a call to stop Yanelli’s Tuesday deportation. 
As a show of solidarity, in addition to calls, several states have planned vigils or phone-banks in support of Yanelli. She isn’t the only undocumented person suffering and so we need to be there for each other. If you can, after you make a call please take a quick picture and send it to us so that we can remind each other how much support we really have out there.
All over the country people are taking action for Yanelli, if you can attend one of the local events hosted in the following cities: Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, New York City, Detroit, Tallahassee, Raleigh, Harrisonburg, San Francisco, Birmingham, Columbus and Cincinnati. We only have until Tuesday to save Yanelli’s life and we aren‘t going to go down without a fight! Will you help us reach our goal of 2,000 calls for Yanelli to be set free?
After you call please let us know how it went so we can keep track of how many calls we get. You can report back on this page, that way maybe your note will encourage someone else to take action as well.
We’ll keep you updated throughout the day.
P.S. If you are on twitter can you help us send this message? Whn Joaquin Luna cmtd suicide we all expressed regret we hdn’t helped him. Is Yanelli next? bit.ly/wAfWey@NAMICommunicate @dreamact
Undocumented Youth in California take it to the next level. TWICE!
Miriam Vazquez began her life in the U.S as a pre-schooler. Her entire grade school upbringing, from then through high school, took place in Los Angeles. Aware of her status, the experiences of her senior year brought Miriam face to face with the struggles and effects of being undocumented. During the summer of 2011, Miriam’s sister was arrested while taking stand against 287g and secure communities. Inspired by the courage and risks taken by those seven youth, Miriam feels that she must take a stand against injustice, for herself, sister, their family and their community. Currently attending Pasadena City College, Miriam feels the time is now, and she is committed to fight for the sake of her rights and her future.
Ramon Valdivia was four years old when he came to the United States. He remembers staring out the window of the train hoping for a better life– even at a young age he was engraved with the idea that this country was a place for a better life. He was the first member of his family to graduate high school. After graduating he studied to be an EMT but was denied certification because of his undocumented status. He is coming out as undocumented today because he has come to terms with his status and would like to encourage others to come out of the shadows to prove to that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to, regardless of where they were born. He will never be just another body in this world.
Claudia Hernandez came to the US to meet her father when she was 4 years old. She overstayed her visa to stay in the country and help her father after he was injured. When she first came out as undocumented, she was bullied; this caused her to be ashamed and live in fear. She attempted to commit suicide after fearing that she would be unable to continue college and fulfill her dreams. Luckily, she was taken to the hospital by her family and saved. A few weeks later, after being released from the hospital she visited the beach with her family– her sister and her almost drowned. Witnessing her sister carried out of the ocean after almost drowning made her realize that she had to live life with new meaning. She is coming out as undocumented today so she can let go of her fear and encourage others to do the same. She wants others to know that today is the day for change and that you should never let fear control your life.
Ruben Barrera was brought to the US at the age of one from Baja California. Growing up in the heart of Los Angeles, he saw a community that was economically challenged and struggling to prioritize the education of its children. “Being born in a different country has shaped who I am and never in my life will I regret where I came from.” A student at Edward Roybal LC, Ruben’s experiences only give him courage to continue his education, and he will never stop until he reaches his goal of becoming the first member of his family to attend a 4-year university. By becoming active, he hopes to empower undocumented people in general to come out and take a stand against injustice. Ruben is tired of being afraid, and wants to show undocumented people that they are not alone in their fight against criminalization.
Maria Rodriguez came to California from Mexico at the age of three. She is coming out as undocumented today in order to highlight the importance of sharing your story to the world. She has realized that by sharing her story she has been able to open doors of opportunity and has found individuals who are willing to help her, and wishes others would do the same. She is participating in this action because she is tired of living in fear in a society that does not value her because she lacks documentation. Through this action, she wishes to empower herself and other undocumented youth, and hopes that society will begin to see her as a human being and not a criminal.
Jahel Campos was born in Zacatecas and immigrated to the US at the age two and a half. She is coming out today to show the world that everybody can make their dreams come true. Growing up, Jahel didn’t have any problems, but her parents constantly reminded her that she was undocumented and that society did not accept her. She saw the disadvantages that she faced as an undocumented person and wondered what she could do to make a change—not just for her but for all the other students like her who have similar stories. Jahel wants to make a difference for her community and for the country that has educated her.
Anayely Saguilan immigrated to US at the age of six from Acapulco. Growing up she has always known that she was undocumented, but did not pay much attention to her immigration status. It was not until she was a senior in high school when her undocumented status hit home. It was difficult for Anayely to admit her reality, but it did not compare to the hardships that her family had to endure. Anayely’s father is currently in deportation proceedings. Her family is being torn apart by ICE, and cannot bare to watch her siblings live their lives without their father.
Alma de Jesus was brought to the U.S. at the age of 7 to be reunited with her parents, whom she had not seen in a year. Mastering English, she excelled in school, but was hit with the limits her status would place on her during her senior year in high school. Still she persevered, earning a Bachelor’s degree in History from CSU Northridge. She is now a proud mother of two, breaking stereotypes by completing her education. Yet she dreams of being able to provide a better future for her children, one in which they are not discriminated. Alma has remained in the shadows for 21 years, and she feels that it is time to come out and make herself visible. The injustices faced by undocumented youth far outweigh the risk of taking a stand. She refuses to let her future be jeopardized any longer.
Alex Aldana following his family from a falling economy and corrupted government at age 15, Alex remembers giving up his education and dreams in Guadalajara, Mexico for a better life by migrating to The United States with his family. The hardships of growing up in the Coachella Valley, oppressed by his sexual identity as a gay man, but also as an undocumented student, never stopped him from graduating High School. Alex has been active in his community by working in HIV prevention & education with Latino LGBT youth in Southern California. Being an advocate for equal rights at a local, state and national level, Alex comes out of the shadows as undocumented and unafraid, queer and unashamed, putting the real face of his communities that are being terrorized by laws that violates human rights.
Nelly Gutieriez United States is a connotation that stands not only for the unity of the nations, but for the diversity of immigrants that create that unity. Yet, it seems that the law has forgotten, or rather, has chosen to foresee that matter. The law is legal, not right, and fails to enforce equality to the ironic ‘home of the free.’ I may not be undocumented, but I am a strong representation of what it ought to be; an ally. There are so many amazing individuals that possess an incredible amount of potential to do great things. But because they live in fear, that potential remains untapped. If you don’t know your rights, it’s the same as admitting that you don’t have them, and that’s why I’m doing this, to change that. And if standing down firmly for what’s morally right means getting arrested and taking public action to bring awareness, then so be it. It’s time to step away from the shadows, and into the clear daylight. From a friend to another.
IMMIGRANT YOUTH COME OUT: San Bernardino
THE IMMIGRANT YOUTH COMMUNITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS TAKING ACTION AND COMING OUT AS ‘UNDOCUMENTED AND UNAFRAID’ IN SAN BERNARDINO.
San Bernardino County is home to some of the most anti immigrant folks around, where Nazis, KKK and minutemen still have a stronghold. With “Secure Communities” and a full 287g in effect immigrants are being funneled into the new Adelanto immigration detention center which profits from the separations of OUR communities and families.
Get On the Bus!
There will be a Bus Stopping at
Pasadena City College (Pasadena, CA)-Contact Yoanna (323) 928-1827
Rio Hondo Community College (Whittier, CA)-Contact Luis (562) 395-8092
Mount San Antonio College (Walnut, CA) Eliana (626) 602-5144
It is Join us in this rally to stand up to the injustice!
Meet us at San Bernardino city hall where we will proceed into a march and rally.
San Bernardino Comes out Undocumented & Unafraid!
Come join the IYC in San Bernardino and witness youth coming out of the shadows declaring their status in protest to a history of Anti-immigrant sentiments. A county where undocumented immigrants live with fear of ICE raids, racism and criminalization fueled by policies and programs like 287(G) and secure communities which are heavily enforced on a day to day basis. With the opening of the new Immigration detention center in Adelanto california, police/ICE have been enforcing these programs in order to fill up bunk beds that will increase their gains in the prison stock. Join us ! Our voices will be heard !
