FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ramiro Gonzalez, (956) 360-4277, ramirog@lupenet.org
A week after the historic 2022 Midterm Elections, LUPE members will testify at the Texas Capitol against Operation Lonestar and fly into D.C. to lobby for undocumented farm workers.
LUPE is heading out to Austin and Washington DC to advocate for immigrants and farm workers. The advocacy events will occur concurrently Tuesday, Nov. 15 and Wednesday, Nov. 16.
TUESDAY, NOV. 15 IN AUSTIN – SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER SECURITY HEARING TO TESTIFY AGAINST OPERATION LONESTAR
LUPE members will join Border Network for Human Rights, Texas Civil Rights Project, and a coalition of immigration advocates to testify against Operation Lonestar and call on the Texas legislators to halt the program. Through this state program, Texas law enforcement officers target migrants for arrest, jailing, and criminal prosecution for the state criminal offense of “trespassing,” based on their perceived race and national origin, including immigration status.
Joaquin Garcia, director of organizing at LUPE, said, “The elections just passed, but our team is ready to keep fighting corporations that profit from building walls, militarize the border, and buy politicians. Operation Lonestar has been disastrous, has cost human lives, and is a waste of public resources. This state-created immigration enforcement system disguised as a state criminal system threatens to embolden states and localities along the border to initiate similar discriminatory programs. We do not wish for actions set by these politicians to divide us at the border, the place we call home.”
TUESDAY, NOV. 15 & WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16 IN D.C. – LOBBYING CONGRESS TO PASS BIPARTISAN FARM WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION ACT
LUPE members and farm workers will join the United Farm Workers and Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noreste to ask Congress to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is bipartisan immigration agricultural legislation that would provide undocumented farm workers and their immediate family members legal immigration status and a path to citizenship.
Juanita Valdez-Cox, executive director of LUPE, said,“Our nation is facing unprecedented challenges for American families. The unspoken heroes keeping our nation’s food supply secure are the farm workers and their families. Farm workers are at the forefront of keeping food on our tables in every zip code in the U.S., and they deserve protections. As Thanksgiving approaches, we can thank farm workers by passing this legislation to honor their humanity, hard work, and critical contributions.”
To arrange virtual interviews with our members in Austin and D.C., contact Ramiro Gonzalez, LUPE communications coordinator, at (956) 360-4277 or ramirog@lupenet.org. We have spokespersons available in English and Spanish.