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The CMSC petitions for an injunction to block the cancellation of DACA's Advance Parole
On September 17, 2017, the California-Mexico Studies Center (CMSC) sent the letter below to Governor Jerry Brown, Attorney General Xavier Becerra and UC President Janet Napolitano, requesting for them to petition in federal court for an injunction that would prevent the cancellation of Dreamers' applications for Advance Parole (AP) under DACA .
Notwithstanding that DACA's termination is not effective until March 5, 2018, the U.S. Homeland Security Administration abruptly cancelled DACA's Advance Parole provision without basis or legal foundation, announcing that all pending AP applications will not be considered, and that the $575 fees would be reimbursed.
Due to the sudden-death termination of DACA's Advance Parole, the CMSC will not be able to continue the California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program, which successfully provided the unique opportunity to study abroad in Mexico to over 160 Dreamers since 2014.
The CMSC's appeal for an injunction is not only for the applications of 75 Dreamers that were planning to return to Mexico with our Winter 2017 program, it's a claim to reverse a punitive action that affects all AP applications pending that were filed prior to September 5, 2017 by thousands of Dreamers.
Given that all our Winter 2017 participants filed their AP applications up to three months prior to DACA's termination on September 5, 2017, and as of today, USCIS has not sent written cancellation of any applications or refunds to our participants, we consider their applications to be valid and protected as the foundation of our plea for an injunction to block the cancelation of DACA's Advance Parole provision.
September 17, 2017
Governor Jerry Brown
Attorney General Xavier Becerra
UC President Janet Napolitano
Re: Request for an Injunction to prevent cancellation of Advance Parole applications
Dear Governor Brown, Attorney General Becerra and UC President Napolitano,
The termination of DACA by the Trump administration has jeopardized our Winter 2017 California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program, and I hereby respectfully request your assistance on behalf of the 70 DACA participants in our program that have applied since June 2017 for Advance Parole (AP) approval.
Notwithstanding that DACA's termination is effective on March 5, 2018, due to the federal government's capricious decision to terminate DACA on September 5, 2017, the U.S. Homeland Security Administration immediately cancelled DACA's Advance Parole provision and published in their FAQ's that all pending AP applications will not be considered, and that the $575 fees would be reimbursed.
Since the State of California and the University of California have filed lawsuits to oppose the termination of DACA, I plea that you file a cause of action with the court, to order an injunction against the Trump administration on behalf of our participants.
As of today, none of our 70 participants have received written cancellation of their applications for AP nor received their refunds.
Thus, an injunction could prevent the hardship and emotional suffering caused upon this group of Dreamers that have complied with all the AP requirements established, and who represent a constituency directly affected by the discriminatory and prejudiced action of the federal government.
Our California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program has offered to over 160 Dreamers the opportunity to return to their birthplace, conduct ethnographic research on their family's origins and migration, attend classes and re-enter the U.S. lawfully. To wit, 100% of all 160 of our participants received AP approval for the 6 travel-study programs that we have organized since 2014.
I trust that you will give full consideration to our request and pray that you agree upon its merits.
Respectfully yours,
Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos, President and CEO
The California-Mexico Studies Center (CMSC)
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SAVE THE DATE!
The 2nd Annual Marco A. Firebaugh California-Mexico Dreamers Fund Drive
The California-Mexico Studies Center in collaboration with Los Angeles Theater Center (LATC), Las Cafeteras, Casa Fina, and Ernie G. present "American Dreamers", an evening of performance, music, and comedy in benefit of the 2nd Annual Marco A. Firebaugh California-Mexico Dreamers Fund Drive. The 2nd Annual MAF Dreamers fund drive is organized to celebrate Marco A. Firebaugh's 51st birthday on Oct. 13, and to raise funds for the California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program.
The event will feature the participation and solo performances by Ernie G., Raul Pacheco ( Ozomatli), Justino Mora (co-founder of Undocumedia), Josefina Lopez (Casa Fina), Sergio Arau, Yareli Arizmendi, Gregorio Luke, Isis Avalos, Raul Pacheco (Santa Cecilia), and also a special musical performance by the Susie Hansen Jazz Latin Band.
Location: Los Angeles Theater Center (LATC)
514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Time: 8 pm - 11pm
General Admission: $50
Dreamers and/or students: $25
For more information and to buy tickets, visit the LATC events website.
Help us promote the event by Sharing our Facebook Event
The CMSC has successfully provided the unique opportunity to study abroad in Mexico to over 160 Dreamers since 2014, through the CMSC's California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program.
However, due to the termination of DACA, the CMSC will not be able to continue the program, aborting the applications of 75 Dreamers that were planning to return to Mexico with our Winter 2017 program.
Notwithstanding this set back, the CMSC will continue its mission and the following projects already in motion, through the funds raised by our 2nd Annual Marco A. Firebaugh California-Mexico Dreamers Fund Drive:
- Continue to research and advocate for Dreamers on both sides of the border, and the plight of 800,000+ U.S.-citizen children exiled in Mexico and Central America, due to the deportation of their undocumented parents;
- Publish a book with our Dreamers' human stories and testimonies after studying abroad through our California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program;
- Produce a full-length documentary on the California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program's 3-year history and its impact upon over 160 participants;
- Produce a play to be staged at CSULB in mid-February 2018, and planned to be toured in the U.S. and Mexico.
Who is Marco Antonio Firebaugh and why do we honor him?
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