Bucknackt's Sordid Tawdry Blog: CCIR October Updates 17OKT12

20 October 2012

CCIR October Updates 17OKT12

IMMIGRATION is an issue for discussion and reform without insulting, racist, and dehumanizing rhetoric. This update from CCIR.....

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As the election draws near, the temptation to place all of our hope in electing a particular candidate or the success of a single party increases. What happens at the ballot box is incredibly important, but we must not forget other ways we can work together to advance the common good.
For example, we know the power that language has over our perceptions and understandings of the world. Words are used to persuade and define. They matter a great deal.
When journalists craft their words they often rely on the Associated Press Stylebook, an authoritative guide for everything from punctuation to word choice. The most recent edition of the AP Stylebook advises that “illegal immigrant” is an acceptable term for describing people living in the U.S. without documentation.
Recently, several groups and individuals have urged the AP to change their guidance when it comes to the term "illegal immigrant" because it is dehumanizing and inaccurate. This small change could make a big difference in how the media talk about the issue of immigration.
As Christians who strongly believe in treating all of God’s children with dignity and respect, we believe such divisive language misrepresents the circumstances of immigrants. In using this unfortunate phrase, the media encourage the biases and prejudices that are far too prevalent in our society. These words make it harder to correct misconceptions and foster conversations about ways to address our broken immigration system in a comprehensive way.
Sojourners is urging the faith community to speak out on this important topic. Please consider sending an email to David Minthorn, the deputy standards editor at AP and co-editor of the AP Stylebook, asking him to stop using the term “illegal immigrant.”
Thanks for your work and witness!
In faith,
The Sojourners immigration team

Tell the Associated Press that people aren’t “illegal”
The AP Stylebook is the authoritative guide for journalists on everything from punctuation to word choice. The most recent edition of this resource advises that “illegal immigrant” is an acceptable term for describing people living in the U.S. without documentation. Please send an email to David Minthorn, the deputy standards editor at AP and co-editor of the Stylebook, asking that the AP end the use of this degrading term.

Ivone Guillen: Dropping the 'I' Word
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). I often wonder how frequently people think about the impact their words have on others, specifically on the development of human perception. The conclusion I’ve sadly reached is that when a language norm is established by dominant cultural forces—such as the news media, in our day—the truth seldom matters. Once something is spoken and repeated enough times, people consider it to be true regardless of the real facts or circumstances.
Knox Robinson: A DREAM Economy
Two words are dominating our current political dialogue: jobs and economy. Everyone seems to want more of the former and a quicker revival of the latter. Logically, then, our nation should take any and all sensible and easy steps toward achieving those goals… Sadly, Washington seems to be devoid of logic these days.

While new applications continue to be submitted through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process, some applicants are already receiving relief. Here are the most recent developments on DACA:
'Deferred action' program puts strain on L.A. Unified
Young Arizona immigrant first to get deferred action
A flood of applications, with a trickle of approvals
Undocumented life is a hurdle as immigrants seek a reprieve

Court to Feds: Stop Deporting Defense Witnesses
"Common sense and fairness would seem to dictate that the federal government ought not deport an exonerating witness before the witness has been allowed to testify. But good sense is apparently in short supply, at least that’s what the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeal said Friday in a sharply worded ruling."
Los Angeles to Cease Transferring Some Immigrants
Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck announced that the police in L.A. will soon stop turning over undocumented immigrants arrested for low-level crimes to federal immigration officials for deportation. The news comes days after California Gov. Jerry Brown decided to veto the Transparency and Responsibility Using State Tools (TRUST) Act, a bill that would have drastically reduced California’s participation in a key immigration enforcement program known as Secure Communities.
Immigrant Advocates Blast Brown Vetoes in California
After a long fought effort to pass the TRUST Act in California, which caught national attention and was largely supported by a number of immigrant rights advocates as well as faith leaders, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed it on the last day before the deadline.
Bitter Harvest: U.S. Farmers Blame Billion-Dollar Losses on Immigration Laws
"Ralph and Cheryl Broetje rely on roughly 1,000 seasonal workers every year to grow and pack more than 6 million boxes of apples on their farm along the Snake River in eastern Washington. It’s a custom they’ve maintained for over two decades. Recently, though, their efforts to recruit skilled labor, mostly undocumented immigrants, have come up woefully short despite intensive recruitment efforts in an area with high rates of unemployment."

The Farm Labor Crisis: Imagined, or Real?
"The labor instability in agriculture reflects some of the most broken aspects of our current immigration policies. Congress should create a practical, common-sense process for farm workers that actually works and holds everyone accountable. A solution is in the national interest. It will benefit every American who enjoys fresh, affordable American produce, milk, and meat."