On behalf of the over 7,000 members of La Union del Pueblo Entero, we would like to wish you a Happy New Year! We wish you all the best in the coming year.
Working alongside our Equal Voice partners, we have witnessed momentous developments in the movement for immigrant and colonia rights. In the wake of Congress' failure to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform, immigrant communities across the nation rose up to demand the President stop devastating our communities through deportations.
Locally we stopped the county from closing trash collection stations–one of the few services the county provides to colonia residents–and made advancements in our work with local partners to bring new homes to colonia residents whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Dolly.
Thank you for your commitment to justice for immigrants and colonia residents. Take a look below at all you helped us accomplish this year. And consider making a tax-deductible donation to help increase LUPE's impact in 2015.
Sincerely,
Juanita Valdez-Cox, LUPE Executive Director, and all of the LUPE team
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 2014 in Numbers
Social Services
- Over 7000 members were served by LUPE membership services and benefits
- Over 800 tax returns were prepared and filed, generating approximately $2.3 million in refunds returned to low-income families in the region
- 13,909 individuals obtained help with immigration paper work
- 313 LUPE members from our citizenship preparation classes became US Citizens
- 253 LUPE members submitted DACA applications to protect themselves from deportation and obtain work authorization
- 353 LUPE members submitted their DACA renewal applications to obtain a 2-year extension of their work authorization and protection from deportation
- 176 immigrants obtained an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number with LUPE assistance so they can file their income tax returns
Community Organizing
- 1,000 people marched for relief from deportations at LUPE's 11th Annual Cesar Chavez March
- 40 committees in colonias gathered monthly to address the issues that impact their communities
- LUPE members live in over 100 colonias in Hidalgo County
- With local partners, 20 low income residents will obtain new homes after their homes were damaged by Hurricane Dolly in 2008
- More than 5,000 people ‘liked' LUPE Facebook page
Leadership Development
- 177 leaders working toward public light in their colonias
- More than 1,000 colonia residents engaged in public light campaign
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Major Victories in 2014
Executive Immigration Action
Bending to the constant pressure of immigrant rights advocates nationwide, the president presented an executive plan that may provide protection from deportation for up to 4.4 million undocumented Americans.
New homes for families whose homes were damaged by hurricane dolly
Thanks to a pilot program that aims to ensure that when disaster strikes, families in need can get into safe and affordable homes within weeks, instead of months or years, 20 low income residents of the RGV will receive greatly needed new homes. The program, named RAPIDO, was developed by the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville (CDCB) and has qualified five LUPE families so far.
Colonia residents stop county from closing trash collection stations
When we found out that County Commissioners were poised to shut down trash collection stations for colonia residents, LUPE leaders stopped the vote. Then, after listening to the needs of colonia resident in community forums organized by LUPE throughout the county, the commissioners unanimously voted to keep the stations open. |
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2014 in Pictures
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Packed house for LUPE’s showing of the major motion picture Cesar Chavez
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Colonia residents fight back against DPS State Troopers asking for immigration papers
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The Valley shows an outpouring of support for refugee children and families fleeing violence in Central America
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La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) is a community organization based in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.
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On behalf of the over 7,000 members of La Union del Pueblo Entero, we would like to wish you a Happy New Year! We wish you all the best in the coming year.
2014 in Numbers
