Heather Wilson Act

[bobinalbuquerque]

Spoke with Josh Baca on Friday,he confirmed that no aide from any Florida congress representative had so far been in touch with him. I mentioned that in view of recent initiatives we were hoping to hear that Connie Mack's office had been in touch.
Has anyone heard what this congressmans position is or is it more the case at this time that he is evaluating his stance?

[kirtida8]

I have written again to Adrian Mirabello asking what steps have been taken since she last wrote to me on Sept. 13th stating that she had forwarded my email - inc the draft legislation and the Wilson bill - to Connie Mack's legislative office in DC. Will let you know if I get a reply.

[Grumpy]

Zoe and Susie have been contacting the Florida Congressmen to help. Can't you ask Josh to contact them himself as this maybe the nudge they need?

[lxh11]

I just this second called Connie Mack's Cape Coral office and talked to a gentleman by the name of Bruce. I asked him what CM's stand was on the Dream Act, he said without hesitation and fluff - "he is opposed to it".

Liz

[kirtida8]

This is the reply I got back this morning..

I have not heard any news on this subject. I know our legislative team in DC is aware of this issue, but not sure if any steps are being discussed.



If you are in Congressman Mack’s district, please contact our DC office via Connie Mack’s website and email him to get more information. It is http://mack.house.gov. Through this website, you can send a direct email to Connie Mack.



Have a great week!



Sincerely,

Adrian C. Mirabilio

Constituent Services Representative

Congressman Connie Mack

Phone – (239) 252-MACK (6225) Fax – (239) 252-8065

adrian.mirabilio@mail.house.gov

3301 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 105 Naples , Fl. 34112

http://mack.house.gov

[kirtida8]

I just this second called Connie Mack's Cape Coral office and talked to a gentleman by the name of Bruce. I asked him what CM's stand was on the Dream Act, he said without hesitation and fluff - "he is opposed to it".

Liz

Hi Liz - Heather Wilson's bill is NOT the same as the DREAM act - so it does not matter too much if he is opposed to the Dream act.

[lxh11]

oops sorry - is that the one about amending E-2's changing their status?

I'm more interested in following the fate of the Dream Act, which I sincerely hope fails (in it's current form) - I know many here don't agree, but with the shoe being on the other foot in my case, it potentially works against me & my child.

Liz

[kirtida8]

oops sorry - is that the one about amending E-2's changing their status?

I'm more interested in following the fate of the Dream Act, which I sincerely hope fails (in it's current form) - I know many here don't agree, but with the shoe being on the other foot in my case, it potentially works against me & my child.

Liz

I agree that the Dream act in its current very flawed form is never going to go anywhere - so you should be OK. But it would be nice if you could help us get some awareness out for the Heather Wilson bill - even though it does not effect you or your child.

[lxh11]

I'm not a good candidate to assist as I'm not an E2-er and I don't understand all the intracacies involved.

Also, I'm in marketing and anal to boot, so anything other than a lock tight message & campaign run with definate goals and time lines in my mind would likely fail:) My approach would be waaay off and too stringent compared to the more casual attitude you all have.

I admire all your relentless efforts, and no doubt things would be different if I was in the same boat. But it's no coincidence that the Hispanics have strong representation because they speak with one voice and in large numbers.

I do find all this very interesting reading tho.

Liz

[kirtida8]

Yes unfortunately you are right in that at the moment we are a little to disorganised - but we hope that this will change as more people come on board. At present - there are very few members who are willing to contribute time ( or at least this is how it appears ), but as the message starts to get across - who knows?
It is also a factor that most of us are trying desperately to run our businesses and so don't really have much time to devote to the cause in the same way as the Hispanics do.

[DEE F]

oops sorry - is that the one about amending E-2's changing their status?

I'm more interested in following the fate of the Dream Act, which I sincerely hope fails (in it's current form) - I know many here don't agree, but with the shoe being on the other foot in my case, it potentially works against me & my child.

LizSo Liz ,why are you so against the illegal kids being given an education,it isnt their fault they are here after all is it,not having a go just curious.

Dee x

[lxh11]

Dee I've never said I'm against them being educated.

What I've said repeatedly is that I am against giving illegal kids a route to GC, that will then allow them to sponsor their parents. This is rewarding parents for coming into the country illegally. It is amnesty no matter which way you package it.

I am also against in-state tuition for these illegals, as that discriminates against Americans and legal immigrants.

Did you know that it is near impossible for Americans or legal immigrant students in the state of Florida to get accepted into FL universities straight from high school, as the schools prefer to take out of state students as they get more money from students who are not FL based.

So a) out of staters get preference, then b) illegal in-staters are ahead of local Americans and legal immigrants.

How is that fair Dee?

[Munish]

I think you have to distinguish the issues here. Liz, I think many people agree with your sentiments, but the problem is the Politicians are looking at things from the wrong perspective.

They are using the argument, as you are, that this indirectly rewards illegal Parents. It's ironic that the very kids who were brought to the USA, because a decision their Parents make are being further inhibited because of their Parents.

It's easy for Politicans to shoot down an attempted solution without coming up with an alternative - they're pretty useless when it comes to agreeing on solutions. To deal with this problem, may be the Dream Act should be enacted in a way the prevents them being able to sponsor their Parents - or would require certain conditions to be satisified.

As for the whole problem with in-state tuition versus out of state tuition, all you do is change the system to prevent unfairness. Disqualify those receiving green cards through the Dream Act from in-State rates, but enable them the legal right of residence so at the very least they can qualify for competitive loans etc.

[Munish]

On the E-2 front and the issue of how organised you are, what is really needed is leadership. Remember this is a forum first with differing opinions, so you cannot expect the forum to be the exclusive vehicle for promoting change.

However, you can use the members with an interest in this to start with change. I tend to agree with Liz and others that you need to focus your goals. Raising awareness is what this forum does, but what are you doing above and beyond?

There are interviews with the media, the T-shirts and the promotions but change won't happen unless you are clear on what you are campaigning for. First and foremost it has been made clear that the activism side of things are for the kids and the issue of aging out, family reunification.

As for E2, there seems to be lesser support on the issue and not everyone has been fully behind the effort to pursue a green card conversion route either because they don't believe in it or because they don't believe change will be effected.

I suggest at the very least those looking for E2 reform get together and form a committee and start from there. Thoink about who you are going to contact for support - not just politicians, but also business organisations, employee organisations. Why don't you hold seminars on the subject. Between you all have the expertise on it. How about a spin off website dedicated to E2 holders and developing fairness in relation to these holders and developing rights.

On the issue of the kids, what happened to these videos that were supposed to be recorded but nothing transpired out of them. It seems like, and bear in mind I am on the outside looking in, that so much effort is being spent on letters and other ways of "persuading" the people in power to see their view rather than going out and focusing on development - which should include building support for an E2 to green card campaign. At the moment there seems to be no E2 specific organisation or site so there is no central place for potential supporters to meet or very issues to be raised in this area.

[kirtida8]

Good suggestions Munish.

[Susie]

Hi Munish

We do have a committee and work very hard in the background on a day to day basis, but we need more help. We do not publish everything that is going on behind the scenes as you know with the publishers for our book.

Anyone who has spare time on their hands and willing to help please attend the next committee meeting


I would especially like Liz (lxh11) to help if she can with the video productions and ask if possible to attend our next meeting. If others are able to assist with videos etc., the more the merrier

[Munish]

Hi Munish

We do have a committee and work very hard in the background on a day to day basis, but we need more help. We do not publish everything that is going on behind the scenes as you know with the publishers for our book.

Anyone who has spare time on their hands and willing to help please attend the next committee meeting


I would especially like Liz (lxh11) to help if she can with the video productions and ask if possible to attend our next meeting. If others are able to assist with videos etc., the more the merrier

Yes, but is the committee E2 specific? Or you might want to publish an quick agenda each week a few days before the committee meetings before its start so everyone knows exactly what you are covering and that way those interested in a specific subject each week might be more interested in attending.

[lxh11]

I think you have to distinguish the issues here. Liz, I think many people agree with your sentiments, but the problem is the Politicians are looking at things from the wrong perspective.

They are using the argument, as you are, that this indirectly rewards illegal Parents. It's ironic that the very kids who were brought to the USA, because a decision their Parents make are being further inhibited because of their Parents.

It's easy for Politicans to shoot down an attempted solution without coming up with an alternative - they're pretty useless when it comes to agreeing on solutions. To deal with this problem, may be the Dream Act should be enacted in a way the prevents them being able to sponsor their Parents - or would require certain conditions to be satisified.

As for the whole problem with in-state tuition versus out of state tuition, all you do is change the system to prevent unfairness. Disqualify those receiving green cards through the Dream Act from in-State rates, but enable them the legal right of residence so at the very least they can qualify for competitive loans etc.

I don't see why illegals should qualify for anything quite honestly. Sad that children should suffer, but then children suffer all the time for their parents actions.

Immigration will likely never be fixed, but it's important not to let things like the Dream Act, slip through under the guise of something else.

[lxh11]

Munish your suggestion of a website reminded me of this ...

http://www.irishvoices.blogspot.com/

I won't give my opinion about it - but it makes for very interesting reading.