HERMISTON, OREGON (July 25th, 2012) — The UFW Foundation and the United Farm Workers (UFW) is hosting town halls in Umatilla County and Yakima County on immigration issues. The events that are planned for the communities of Hermiston, Oregon and Sunnyside, Washington are in response to the recent decision of the Supreme Court on the Arizona law, and on the new immigration policy changes that will protect young immigrants from deportation announced by President Obama.
"There is a lot of happiness and enthusiasm from the community due to the announcement of deferred action by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that will stop the deportations of hundreds of thousands of youths" said Diana Tellefson-Torres, Executive Director of the UFW Foundation, "But there is also a lot of confusion. In the same week we learned that the Supreme Court nullified parts of the Arizona law, while it gave its approval to the provision that permits state and local law enforcement to ask everyone they stop about their immigration status if they think there is “reasonable suspicion” that the person is undocumented. With these changes, people want to know what their rights are and how the changes will affect the immigrant communities in their state."
The town halls will take place on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at six in the afternoon at the UFW Regional Office located at 220 SW 11th St. Hermiston, OR and on Monday, July 30, 2012 at six in the afternoon at the United Methodist Church located at 906 East Edison Ave. Sunnyside, WA.
The town halls will present information on the recent changes in the law, including information on anti-immigrant laws at the state and local levels, as that of Arizona. There will also be up-to-date information on the deferred action process for young immigrants that arrived at the country before the age of 16 years, and how these DREAM Act-eligible youths are able to obtain work permits.
The events are free and they are organized with the support of the UFW Foundation and Radio Campesina, our sister organizations and part of Cesar’s Chavez Farm Worker Movement. The UFW Foundation is a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) with BIA representatives that offers direct services to immigrants and farm workers.
Wednesday, July 25th @ 6pm
United Farm Workers Regional Office
220 SW 11th St.
Hermiston, OR.
Monday, July 30th @ 6pm
United Methodist Church
906 East Edison Ave.
Sunnyside, WA.
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