It is with heavy hearts that we share with you that on December 31st, a longtime OneAmerica leader and our dear friend Lisette Llerena passed away after a long battle with cancer. She passed surrounded by her family and friends, including members of the OneAmerica family of leaders and community members. Lisette’s contribution to OneAmerica cannot be overstated. She leaves …
Washington State’s Legislative Session begins on January 13th and with only 60 days, every action counts. Take the pledge today to contact your legislators throughout this year’s legislative session to ensure Washington leads the way in supporting and defending our immigrant communities. OneAmerica will be supporting these legislative bills this year: Passing Bilingual Education legislation to invest in and expand dual and heritage language programming …
Seattle, WA (December 11, 2019)- To KOMO 4 News Director Bill Dallman: The undersigned organizations write to condemn KOMO 4’s plans for a town hall on December 12th, the framing of which furthers false and damaging stereotypes about people of color and immigrant/refugee communities. The invitation for KOMO 4’s event implies an association between immigrants and criminality that is both …
Did you know it costs $725 to become a citizen? Today, December 9th, we celebrated a major victory in court. Our legal win brings back the ‘fee waiver’ that enables qualifying low-income folks to access citizenship for free by waiving the standard $725 fee to naturalize. The fee is a barrier for many to achieve their American Dream, and we’re …
A strong democracy that includes everyone is one of our country’s founding beliefs. However, in communities across Washington State, election systems have excluded people of color. Because of your past support, OneAmerica leaders passed the Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA), giving voters the right to challenge voter suppression targeting communities of color. Because of you, OneAmerica leaders are primed to …
Emotions were high as Rosa Garcia shared her story in front of the federal courthouse in Seattle on November 12th. “I’m an undocumented, unafraid, unapologetic mother of two, community member, and organizer with the Washington Dream Coalition,” said Garcia. “If DACA were to be taken away it would jeopardize the economic and health security I have started to build for …
Today, OneAmerica, as a member of the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), condemns the Trump administration’s proposed fee hikes that seeks to limit access to citizenship, asylum, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and other immigration benefits to those who are eligible. The rule, which has not gone into effect yet, was formally proposed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration …
We believe in an America that welcomes immigrants and supports people in seeking their citizenship and right to vote regardless of race, national origin, class or economic status. Unfortunately, this action and others taken by the administration serve to create a two-tiered immigration and naturalization system—a ‘fast track’ for the wealthy and a much more difficult path for everyone else. …
OneAmerica is proud to announce that Arleen Vargas will be joining as their new organizing director, and that they received the prestigious Neighborhood Builders award from Bank of America. This new hire and award position OneAmerica as a leading force for justice at a time when immigrants are under attack. Arleen will be joining OneAmerica from the Washington Interfaith Network …
On August 14, 2019, USCIS published a new rule about a ground of inadmissibility called “likely to become a public charge.” The new rule applies to immigrants who are seeking admission into the USA, applying for green cards in the USA through the Adjustment of Status Process, and to temporary nonimmigrants who seek to extend or change status. While lawful …
