Somos Un Pueblo Unido Protecting Immigrants' Rights in New Mexico

Somos Un Pueblo Unido 1205 Parkway Dr, Suite B Sante Fe, NM   87507   telephone: 505-424-7832 fax: 505-438-8518 email: somos@rt66.com

Members' Update - December 2004    (en Español aquí)

University access for immigrant students
During the upcoming legislative session, Senator Cynthia Nava (D-Las Cruces) will introduce a bill to help hundreds of undocumented immigrant students gain access to in-state tuition and financial aid at publicly funded colleges. Somos has worked diligently for the last two years to craft this bill and garner support from allies, educational institutions and policymakers throughout the state, but we still need volunteers for the home stretch. We need as many members as possible to turn out at legislative hearings in February and write letters or phone their legislators asking them to support these youth. Call Somos to find out how you can help.

New Mexico driver's license law still in jeopardy
The US Congress approved the "Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act" in early December. Republicans came very close to including provisions that would, in effect, deny states the right to issue drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants, but pro-immigrant allies in Washington organized a nationwide response. Somos did its part by alerting local policy makers, law enforcement and media. We would like to thank all who publicly advocated against the driver's license restrictions. Although the final legislation does preserve the right of states to determine which immigrants are eligible for a license, the fight is not over. Republicans have pledged to take this issue up again in Congress in January. Somos will continue to work locally to help defeat these efforts. Stay tuned!

Five immigrant workers sue McDonald's franchise
Fed up with the humiliating treatment and substandard conditions on the job, five immigrant women courageously walked out in the middle of their shift, stood up for their rights, and filed a lawsuit against their employer. The workers say that that since the implementation of the living wage ordinance, workplace conditions deteriorated drastically - all in blatant retaliation for the new wage. The citywide law not only mandates that businesses with 25 or more employees pay at least $8.50 per hour, it also protects workers from retaliation. If you are not being paid the living wage or you feel you have been retaliated against because you have chosen to assert your rights under the new law, do what these workers did. Contact us to learn about your legal options.

Visit our new website!
We finally have a website! Visit us online at www.somosunpueblounido.org for resources and information about your rights, latest press releases, and upcoming events. Many thanks to our volunteer Tom Farrell for setting up the bilingual site.

What mobile home park owners don't want you to know...
Does your landlord want to evict you for no good reason? Are you being charged extra fees that are not written in your contract? How can you protect yourself from a crooked mobile home park owner? Somos can answer all questions about your rights as mobile home park tenants at a workshop on Monday, January 10th at 6 PM. Don't miss it! To sign up, call us at 424-7832.

Thousands turn to Somos during 2004
Thanks to our dedicated members and staff, Somos has been able to reach thousands of recent immigrants throughout New Mexico with information about their rights and community resources. During 2004, approximately 2,195 people utilized Somos' Immigrants' Rights Center. Through our workshops, we also trained approximately 670 adults and 100 middle school students to assert their civil rights and document law enforcement abuses.

Many thanks to Somos' sponsors
Without the support of foundations, local churches, and individual donors the impact of Somos would not be nearly as far reaching. During the last year, we have counted on the generous financial support of the Marguerite Casey Foundation, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Hispanics In Philanthropy, Santa Fe Community Foundation, Funding Exchange, LANL Foundation, Oppenheimer Brothers Foundation, St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral Peace and Justice Committee, and many donors from the community. ¡Mil gracias!