LION Press Statement

The Labor Immigrant Organizing Network (LION), in commemoration of the UN's International Migrant Rights Day, makes the following pronouncement regarding the state if migrant rights in the United States. In this time of war and military tribunals, detentions and deportations, xenophobia and racial profiling, we are compelled to speak truth to power. We
are determined to have our voice heard and our stories told.

• Our stories of immigration begin with a profound hunger for democracy, freedom and civil rights. A hunger driven by our experiences with military dictatorships and political repression, detentions and arbitrary arrests, imprisonment without charges, masked judges and faceless juries.
• Our stories of immigration are imbued with a yearning for peace. Stories born in bloodshed, war and occupation. Stories of political violence, ethnic cleansing , forced relocations and refugee camps.
• Our stories of immigration are stories of dignity and hard work, determination and family. Stories born in the reality of enduring poverty and economic dislocation. Stories of abysmal working conditions, poor health care and non-existent social services.

On this day, in which the United Nations has chosen to focused on the rights of migrants, we reaffirm our commitment to the civil and human rights of migrants and immigrant workers. The tragic events of 9/11 have been used to justify a wave of attacks on the human rights of immigrants and the civil rights of all citizens. We deplore the use of "national security" as justification to deny the rights of immigrants. LION adds it's voice to the rising chorus calling for peace, equality for all and justice for immigrant workers.

• We call upon the Federal Government to enact meaningful reform in immigration policy; We demand amnesty for all undocumented workers living in the U.S. and legislation providing for family reunification; We demand an end to employer sanctions, the abuse of Social Security "No Match" letters and other citizenship requirements used to deny the employment rights immigrants.
• We call upon Governor Grey Davis and the California State legislature, to restore equal access to education, social services and health care for all immigrants. We call upon the Governor and State Legislature to enact legislation allowing immigrants access to drivers licenses.
• We call upon local government officials to cease the harassment of day laborers and to
  ensure that local law enforcement does not cooperate with the INS in the execution of unjust immigration laws. We call upon local employers to respect the rights and dignity of immigrant workers especially as it pertains to their right to organize into Unions.

Respectfully submitted by
Lamoin Werlein-Jaén, Vice-President, HERE Local 2

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