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NPA will be the first time groups tackle the problems immigrants face
while settling in America.
Leaders will share successful organizing strategies that have changed
how immigrants are treated and at times deprived of their rights. Local
victories around driver's licenses, health care and workplace protection.
Also NPA leadership will explain the good, the bad and the ugly of current
legislation that is being proposed.
NPA will support the U.S. Employees Family Unity and Legalization Act
and other legislation that protects the rights of immigrants. We will
invite both supports and opponents of legislation and demand they hold
hearing in which NPA leaders are invited to testify.
Issues include:
Drivers Licenses - Many states are requiring people applying
for driver's licenses to provide a social security number, leaving many
immigrants without a license. Not only are they being discriminated
against, but also our streets and highways are filling up with people
who have no drivers' licenses or insurance, making that a safety issue
for everyone. NPA will ask that Social Security numbers be excluded
as a piece of ID and allow other forms of ID when applying for a drivers
license.
Higher Education - Children of immigrants many times are denied
a college education because they do not qualify for in state tuition
or financial aid even though the have graduated from High School NPA
is proposing that anyone that graduates from a U.S. high school be provided
with in state tuition and financial aid.
Workforce - Many times immigrants are treated badly on the job,
receive low wages, are forced to work in unsafe conditions and are victims
of sexual harassment. Yet many Republicans are proposing "Guest Workers
Legislation." as Phil Gram puts it we will let them make money and then
they need to leave. NPA opposes any guest workers legislation that doesn't
provide the workers with fair wages, benefits, right to organize and
the opportunity to become a resident. Furthermore, NPA opposes any legislation
that is employer-based and doesn't allow for the worker to switch employer.
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