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Taking a new look at immigration

Civil-rights activist says immigrants unfairly targeted

By David Cardenas
dcarden5@mscd.edu

Pro-immigration activist Magdaleno Rose-Avila spoke Sept. 20 at the Tivoli about the struggle to obtain human rights in this day and age and the ongoing battle that has divided the country: illegal immigration.

“To dream the impossible is a wonderful thing,” Rose-Avila said. “But when you struggle for justice, you struggle to achieve that dream.”

The dream is to achieve human rights, which is rather difficult for illegal immigrants, as well as minorities in this country, Rose-Avila said.

Recently, events such as the Jena Six protests and local deportation, which many believe are violations of basic human rights, have made national headlines.

In Jena, LA., six black teenagers were charged for assaulting a white teenager after a string of racially charged incidents in the town. Mychal Bell, 16, one of the accused, was tried as an adult and faces up to 22 years in prison.

According to Rose-Avila, the situation in Jena and many other events that have recently occurred throughout the country have made clear the need for change and action on human rights.

“The youth across the United States have a better understanding of the issues, and better concepts on how to bring change to the country,” Rose-Avila said. “I would rather see students in these types of campuses in Congress making decisions, than the people we have now (in Congress).”

Rose-Avila said immigration became an issue after Sept. 11, 2001, when homeland security became the country’s No. 1 priority. Terrorists and illegal immigrants were grouped together causing fear in U.S. citizens, Rose-Avila said.

“Since then, undocumented workers were targeted…making way for congressmen such as Tom Tancredo, a do-nothing and say-nothing representative, who got on this (issue) and started bashing migrants,” Rose- Avila said.

More than 88,000 immigrants were considered criminals and deported, but many had only minor felony charges such as DUIs and failing to appear at a court hearing, Rose- Avila said.

But another blanket amnesty would not be the answer to the problem, he said. Having a guest worker program is another way of saying slave labor, so a process is needed, a process that makes sure that only good citizens are allowed amnesty.

A University of Colorado at Boulder graduate, Rose-Avila worked with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers of America. He currently serves on the Amnesty International board, and the executive director for the Cesar E. Chavez foundation.

Ramon del Castillo, who was named as the new head of Metro’s Chicano studies department, said that Rose-Avila, or “Leno” as he is known, brings expertise and insight to the immigration issue.

“Our society is divided in this issue, education is the only way we can bridge the gap between us,” Castillo said.

“We need to keep our promises about civil rights, gay rights, immigrant rights, everybody’s rights,” he added. “It doesn’t matter how long you lived, but what you did in your life that matters.”