We hope from the bottom of our hearts that your Hurricane Recovery has continued forward in a productive manner. We continue to be in awe of the tremendous efforts the city has made toward recovery, particularly those undertaken by our partner and allied organizations as well as the abundance of love and support from everyday Houstonians. But we know that there is still a lot of rebuilding to do across so many different areas. This week’s actions feature renewed chapters in some familiar fights, including healthcare and immigration. National Call to Action -
Graham-Cassidy Bill: TrumpCare by another name -
DACA/DREAM Act -
Important Details -
When Trump rescinded DACA he gave Congress 6 months (February) to pass a law and provide relief for DACAmented. As part of their relief, these folks gave up their information about where they live and work putting them in unique danger of deportation. -
The last really serious attempt to pass the DREAM Act (which provides a pathway to citizenship for Undocumented) was during President Obama’s first term. It failed, and continued to fail because Republicans held it hostage to tougher border enforcement measures. This continues to play out as a negotiation between Republicans and Democrats about border security with DREAMers being leveraged as a bargaining chip. Democrats are failing to hold the line on a clean bill. -
Republicans are trying bargain with Democrats for additional border enforcement funding (Border Patrol/ICE). This, combined with Kate’s law and the recently passed “Alien Gangs” bill would give these agencies enhanced capability to track, arrest and imprison Undocumented people with little evidence or oversight. -
The Bill -
DACA was the executive action that was recently rescinded. The DREAM Act is the bill that is currently in Congress. It’s important to know the distinction between them so we can make the right ask. -
Enshrines the principles of DACA into law (rather than executive action) and creates a pathway to citizenship for childhood arrivals. Indivisible explainer here. The DREAM Act is the only bill that provides a pathway to citizenship. All others only reinstate deferred action or stop at providing workers visas/resident status. -
Additional amendments or riders that increase funding for “border security” dangerously enhance these agency’s ability to arrest and imprison Undocumented people for years only to deport them after. -
What National is asking -
Additional Resources -
Responding to the London Terror Attack -
Opposing Drilling in the Arctic -
Additional Regional Notes State Actions -
Texas Rainy Day Fund -
Texas High Schools Failing to Register Students to Vote -
Join Indivisible TX Lege and volunteer to help hold Texas State officials accountable Local Actions -
Attend our general meeting on 9/24 -
This month’s meeting will feature two elected education leaders in the Houston community and two candidates in the upcoming November election! -
Please check out the event page on Facebook for more information! -
Continue working cleaning up neighborhoods most affected by the storm -
Now that we’re a few weeks separated from the disaster much of the national media attention and dollars have moved on. Now it’s all the more important that we take care of each other. There are many communities that still need help! If you have time or energy, help is desperately needed in Lakewood, Meyerland, and Eastex. [enter at least two other hard-hit communities] -
Check here for additional information on where to help! |