AFL-CIO Backs Immigrants

by Melinda Tuhus | September 21, 2007 8:44 AM | | Comments (4)

kica%20and%20john.jpg Immigration took center stage at the annual state AFL-CIO convention held in New Haven, as unions backed immigrants’ rights, called on Congress to tackle the issue, and tied the current national controversy to U.S. trade policies.

The convention took place Thursday at the Omni.

At the convention, the unions approved a resolution supporting a declaration that immigrant rights are “human rights.” The declaration was drafted by the New Haven-based Connecticut Center for a New Economy.
CCNE organizer Fátima Rojas read a portion of the declaration. “We call on the Congress of the United States to enact comprehensive immigration legislation which will revise international trade policies that contribute to undocumented immigration.”

The closing workshop at the day-long convention was about immigration and the need for worker solidarity. Khalil Iskarous, an Egyptian immigrant who works with the city-based Latinos United in Action, sought to explain why so many immigrants have poured into the U.S. in the past 20 years. “It’s because of trade and economic policies of the industrialized world, including the U.S.,” he said.

He went on to give an example of how agricultural subsidies for U.S.-grown cotton have led to the destruction of cotton crops in Africa. The same could be said for Mexican corn, which can’t compete with subsidized corn from the U.S. and has resulted in many thousands of people being forced off their land. And he blamed multi-national corporations for workers’ common exploitation.

Connecticut AFL-CIO President John Olsen (pictured at the top of this story, with New Haven Community Services Director Kica Matos in the background) said, “Clearly there’s fear that people are trying to divide people around. Workers are concerned about the same things whether they be in New Haven, or anywhere in this nation or anywhere in the world. And we’re going to ensure that human rights — worker rights — are protected.”

Matos — Mayor John DeStefano’s point person for the city’s immigrant-friendly municipal ID program — said the city has so far issued 3,427 cards, “far exceeding our expectations.”

“The city fully endorses the declaration that immigrant rights are human rights.” Click here to hear more of her remarks.







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Comments

Posted by: Gary Doyens | September 21, 2007 11:41 PM

Let's be clear. Democrats are suddenly concerned about concerned about illegal immigration because they see a population they can exploit for political gain. The AFL-CIO supports immigrant rights because American blue collar citizens are abandoning the union in droves and have been for years. This is a new population for them to exploit to once again fill its coffers. These people should just be honest about their intentions - they're both willing to sell everybody else short for their own particular gains. The dishonesty and duplicity used in this debate by the so-called leaders of local and national Democrats and unions is pathetic and transparent.

Posted by: Cora Collins | September 24, 2007 1:03 PM

Well, tht's painting with an extremely broad, cynical brush!

Many, many people that are members of unions are pleased with the higher standard of living--and retirement--has afforded them.

And unions and many members of the Democratic party are addressing the plight of undocumented residents because it the right thing to do, to reach out to fellow human beings.

Posted by: Gary Doyens | September 25, 2007 8:31 PM

I agree - it's cynical and it's accurate. The unions embrace of illegal immigrants is not rooted in concern any more than their support and embrace of CORD and the employees at Yale are rooted in its concern for them. Look, I agree the union in some cases in past history, served some good. It is getting harder to find it today though, and to find positive results from their national and local efforts. From my vantage point, I see vitriol, political manipulation and a history of using people and organizations for their own gain. This issue doesn't change any of that.

Posted by: kris | September 26, 2007 8:06 PM

Right on Gary.Say no to the unions.

To you Cora...Bin Laden and all involved with Sept 11th are human beings too so should we reach out to them too? Yes you are correct in saying human being but the bottom line is ILLEGAL HUMAN BEINGS and that makes a difference.

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