Storytime- Immigration NEEDS to be addressed PROPERLY

Ok. I did not watch the State of the Union address... I prefer to not delve into politics. However, in light of some topics and some heated discussion over a photo I shared on Facebook a week ago, I'm going to go there.

This is the photo that sparked the whole discussion (including the caption that came with it):

Caszandra Castillo, 5, left, cries as she is held by her father, Carlos Perez, who lives in Mexico, for the first time in three years. Caszandra’s mother, Sandra Castillo passed her through the U.S.-Mexico border fence at Border Field State Park in San Diego Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 for the brief visit. The park is often used by families to communicate through the fence. #NotOneMore Stop the separation of our families!

It is important to note that this section of fence has since been closed off, and families are no longer able to utilize it for  this purpose.

I orginally shared this photo to reflect the reality of life- copied from my post: There are so many factors to this sort of situation- as many have said, its not black and white... however, America/USA is also known as "land of the free," "the melting pot," etc... what is the "american dream?" Its not a house with a white picket fence, and a family with two kids and a dog anymore... it had become convoluted and distorted..

America has changed dramatically over the last 200+ years. But what is happening right now with the immigration issue is just the same as what happened with the issue of slavery, womens rights, African-American rights, the Japanese-Americans during WW2, then the Muslim community... now its the Hispanic community. 

What is the difference? NOTHING.

Now, what is the American Dream?  It is not a house with a white picket fence and a family with two children an a dog anymore. Go ahead, ask someone tomorrow what they think the American Dream is. It will be different for everyone. I'm sure you will find, however, one common thread in everyone's version of "the dream." The ability to prosper without judgement. Is that too difficult?

I am about to embark on a journey and going to share it with everyone, telling a story about an immigrant's dreams. Now, this story may be purely fictional, but I have brought in elements of truth and things that actually did happen to people I personally know. This story will be told in a series of posts, because I will be very detailed.  I am still working on the story, but I wanted to make sure that everyone is ready to read this. Like I said, this is a fictional story, but will be raw, truthful, and contain elements of reality. Later on I will tell my family's story.

At the end, my wish is for people to reconsider thier viewpoints on immigration. I want people to realize that we are all human. As this image so nicely tells us:

Lookey here at what Shakira is doing!

I think she has the right motivation. Shakira has long been one of my favorite artists- she has tons of talent, but also has a great personality and does many things for others. So here's another thing that she is doing that's amazing!
Instead of asking for gifts for her baby, she asks everyone to donate money to UNICEF!  For more information, see the article on nbclatino.com under celebrity.  I will try and get the official link when I get on a computer. :o)

ETA- here's the link! http://nbclatino.com/2013/01/16/shakira-shares-intimate-baby-picture-to-raise-funds-for-charity/
Kira sandoval :o)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let's make sure that 2013 is WAY better than last year was! I am going to work harder at posting more often... I have lots to talk about that's for sure. Also, don't forget to check out my other blogs as well! There are things I post in them that I don't post here.

Also, thanks for making my blog so popular in the short year I had this up. Its my second largest blog... ;o)

Kira Sandoval :o)

Huffington Post article: Jenni Rivera Missing: Singer Involved In Suspected Plane Crash In Mexico

From Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/09/jenni-rivera-missing-involved-suspected-plane-crash-mexico_n_2267889.html

I have to admit, I don't like much of her music, but nevertheless, she is a talented singer. I'm praying that the plane is found and there are survivors, including her. :o(

Kira sandoval :o)

December 7, 1941- aka. Pearl Harbor

Today is one of the day's that lives in our minds and hearts... the day we lost many faithful service men and women, too many in my mind... and the day that set forth the US participation in WWII... it also is the day that caused the President to authorize the dropping of the a-bomb on Hiroshima.

Yes, I'm talking about the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Take a few minutes out of your day today to pray for the men and women lost this day in 1941, and for the survivors, and all their families, and then pray for those who are overseas right now serving our country!

Fwd: Immigration Impact

Can you believe this?  SOOOOO exciting! :o)

Kira sandoval :o)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Immigration Impact" <Shoy111@gmail.com>
Date: Nov 16, 2012 1:22 PM
Subject: Immigration Impact
To: <kiraleesandoval@gmail.com>

Immigration Impact

---

BREAKING: DACA Approvals Surpass 50,000 Posted: 16 Nov 2012 12:41 PM PST Earlier this afternoon, the Obama administration released updated statistics indicating that 53,273 undocumented youths have been granted relief under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. As of November 15, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had received more than 300,000 requests for deferred action, with most applicants still awaiting the completion of background checks. The figures did not indicate how many beneficiaries have received work permits under the program or whether any requests for deferred action have been denied. At the rate the agency is processing applications, more than 100,000 requests for deferred action appear likely to be granted by the end of the year.

Including DACA Recipients in Health Care Reform Posted: 16 Nov 2012 07:00 AM PST By Jenny Rejeske, Health Policy Analyst National Immigration Law Center The Obama administration's decision to cut access to affordable health care for young people granted relief from deportation hurts everyone. This decision came weeks after the administration initiated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, which lifts the cloud of deportation for immigrant youth who have grown up here. At the same time, the administration quietly issued policy changes excluding DACA recipients from federal health insurance programs, effectively shutting their door to affordable health care.  As a result of the recent policy change, many DACA recipients, unable to purchase health coverage in the insurance exchanges like other taxpayers, will continue to remain uninsured. In essence, the Obama administration has provided immigrant youth with the tools they need to work, but denied them the right to take care of themselves. We must ensure that immigrants gain both the rights and the responsibilities of all Americans.   The restrictions were entirely unnecessary.  Existing federal rules would have allowed eligible DACA recipients, like others granted deferred action, to enroll in these health coverage programs. Instead, the administration excluded them and not for sound health policy reasons. Discriminating against these young people places the health of children, youth, pregnant women and their newborns at risk, fails to ensure that young workers and students remain healthy and productive, and interferes with the cost-effective strategy of including healthy and young individuals in the nation's risk pool.  It emboldens anti-immigrant state lawmakers who would like nothing better than to deny DACA recipients drivers' licenses and other basic state services.  Most importantly, it undermines President Obama's repeated commitment to creating a roadmap to citizenship for these young people. Luckily there has been an outpouring of opposition to the health coverage restrictions from a diverse coalition of groups – including immigrant rights, reproductive justice, health advocacy, health care providers, civil rights, faith-based, and anti-poverty groups – led by DREAMers and the United We Dream Network.  150 groups signed a UWD-led letter to the president opposing the changes.  A broad coalition of faith groups sent their own letter.  More than 350 groups submitted official comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opposing the restriction to the ACA insurance programs. This policy change could set a damaging precedent in how the federal government integrates immigrants more fully into our society.  As we push to have this exclusionary rule repealed, all of us must be prepared to fulfill President Obama's promise during health care reform – that any immigrants excluded from health care reform in 2010 – would be included after immigration reform.  As the administration and lawmakers gear up for immigration reform in 2013, only those proposals that provide a roadmap to citizenship for 11 million people and an opportunity to be healthy, productive, and full members of society, rather than second-class citizens, will provide true reform. Discriminating against an immigrant by denying her the ability to purchase affordable care sends the message that she isn't worth the investment. It also clearly tells her that she has all the responsibilities, but none of the rights, of citizenship. We must ensure that immigrants gain both the rights and the responsibilities of all Americans.  Providing DACA beneficiaries with the freedom to purchase their own health care under the Affordable Care Act should be an easy first step.

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I'm deeply saddened.

I found out this morning that an online friend lost her husband to a tragic situation.

Her husband had been deported recently, and she finally went to Mexico to be with him for a while, just this past weekend. She had only been with him for two days... :'(

He was shot to death alongside three of his coworkers. Now two beautiful children are without their father and a wonderful woman is without her soulmate.

"We pray for blessings, we pray for peace. Comfort for family, protection while we sleep. We pray for healing... we pray for your mighty hand to ease our suffering..."  excerpt from Laura Story's song "Blessings"

Kira Sandoval :o)