WE SHALL NOT BOW DOWN

If you want inspiration and a heart-warming action, come up on the pedestrian crossing over i80 in Berkeley every Wednesday 4 to 6pm rush hour. The enthusiasm of the activists is increased a million-fold

Court Observing: Day 2 HOW DESPERATE – OR GREEDY – DO YOU HAVE TO BE???

How desperate do you have to be to make money in this country that you’re willing to exploit vulnerable people? Or how greedy – for isn’t that the m.o. of this country from the beginning, exploiting the resources including labor, and wealth of other people for one’s own personal gain?

IMMIGRATION COURT OBSERVING: DAY ONEWrapping Up Day One

The judge makes a 10 minute speech to the rest of the immigrants left in the court room who are either appearing for the first time and the rest of the refugees that are lawyerless. He patiently explains their rights and responsibilities, stressing keeping the court informed of any change of address within 5 days of moving.

IMMIGRATION COURT OBSERVING: DAY ONE THE SCENE UNFOLDS

This courtroom I’m observing in is open to the public. The only reason refugees are summoned here is to refresh their status and ensure they are still making themselves available to court scrutiny and to set a hearing date if they don’t have one, or to confirm or change their existing hearing date. The immigrant is sent a notice to appear. Failure to appear gives the court immediate power to have them tracked down and deported.

Immigration Court Observation: Day One My Responsibilities

I take the elevator open to the public to the 8th floor. I have to go through a similar metal screening as at the airport where three huge white men in grey uniforms armed with guns and other black objects sit or stand to the side peering through the door at me, assessing my danger (to them) level I’m sure. I’m gruffly ordered to stand

Immigration Court Observing: Day One Before

I have volunteered to attend court proceedings in an immigration court where judges decide the future status of so many human beings desperately seeking an escape from their own beloved but conquered country to another more peaceful and sustaining life. Before I even enter the building, I’m reduced to tears

OUR IMMIGRATION NATION

Nearly 20 more immigration judges were notified last week that their positions were being terminated, impacting courts in states including my state, California, as well as New York and Florida. This marks the highest number of firings within a single month