Advocates fear would-be successors to Sen. Bob Menendez lack his commitment to immigrants
BY: SOPHIE NIETO-MUNOZ
Soon after Bob Menendez joined Congress in 1993, he earned a reputation as a leading voice for Latinos.
Menendez, a former mayor of Union City in Hudson County and the son of Cuban immigrants, was lauded for his constituent services, with his office aiding people through the citizenship process and helping them secure working papers. He joined the bipartisan “gang of eight” to push for major immigration reform, and often bucked his own party on issues related to undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers.
He’s revered by the Latino community in Hudson County, where he returned to host massive parades and heritage events attended by thousands. He spoke to voters in English and Spanish, instilling a sense of pride in Hispanics who saw themselves represented on the national stage.
“He’s always been a real champion for immigrants,” said Kevin Brown, executive vice president of the 32BJ Service Employees International Union, which represents thousands of Latino workers. “He played that role, and things have changed recently in terms of his position, but that was a historic function of his. We very much appreciated it.”
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Latino Action Network Partners in the Fight for Justice
Posted by Javier Robles · February 05, 2024 11:12 AM · 1 reaction
Latino Action Network Announces 2023 Legislative Endorsements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Latino Action Network Announces Endorsements List for the November 7th General Election
Trenton, New Jersey – November 1st, 2023
The Latino Action Network (LAN) is a grassroots organization composed of individuals and organizations committed to engaging in collective action at the local, state, and national levels to advance the equitable inclusion of diverse Latina/o/x communities who represent 22% of New Jersey's population. The Latino Action Network is dedicated to building political representation in New Jersey and nationally, which reflects our community and values.
“In these uncertain and trying times, our community faces economic instability, isolation, and discrimination. We are excited about the group of candidates we've selected and urge our members, Latina/o/x to cast their votes in support of these legislators. Together, we will collaborate with them to build a more prosperous New Jersey that benefits everyone.” said Javier Robles, President of the Latino Action Network.
As an organization, we have a vested interest in ensuring that the rights of Latina/o/x immigrants, refugees, and seekers of political asylum are protected. We will work with our lawmakers to push for a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and ensure that they are counted. This includes protecting the rights of Dreamers and continued support, both financial and political, so that they may achieve the American dream of a robust education and employment.
The endorsements made by the Latino Action Network are based on questionnaires, established relationships, and their voting record on issues of importance to our community. We wish these candidates luck and expect to work with them in the future to address the issues and concerns of our community.
For more information on the Latino Action Network, please contact:
Javier Robles, JD
President, Latino Action Network (LAN)
Cory Garriga
Endorsements Chair, Latino Action Network (LAN)
The Latino Action Network endorsed candidates for the New Jersey State Senate
Paul Moriarty (LD-4), Nilsa Cruz-Perez (LD-5), James Beach (LD-6), Troy Singleton (LD-7), Gabriel Franco (LD-9), Vin Gopal (LD-11), Lucille Lo Sapio (LD-13), Linda Greenstein (LD-14), Shirley Turner (LD-15), Andrew Swicker (LD-16), Bob Smith (LD-17), Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.(LD-18), Joseph F.Vitale (LD-19), Joe Cryan (LD-20), Nicholas P. Scutari (LD-22), Denise King (LD-23), Christine Clarke (LD-25), John F Mckeon (LD-27), Renee Burgess (LD-28), Teresa Ruiz (LD-29), Angela Mcknight (LD-31), Raj Mukherji (LD-32), Brian Stack (LD-33), Britnee Timberlake (LD- 34), Nellie Pou (LD-35), Gordon Johnson (LD-37), Paul A. Sarlo (LD-36), and Joe Lagana (LD-38).
The Latino Action Network endorsed candidates for the New Jersey General Assembly
Damita White-Morris (LD-1), William Moen Jr. (LD-5), William Spearman (LD-5), Louis Greenwald (LD-6), Pamela Lampit (LD-6), Herb Conway Jr. (LD-7), Carol A. Murphy (LD-7), Andrea Katz (LD-8), Anthony Angelozzi (LD-8), Luanne Peterpaul (LD-11), Margie Donlon (LD-11), Raya Arbiol (LD-12), Danielle Mastropiero (LD-13), Anthony S. Verrelli (LD-15), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (LD-15), Roy Freiman (LD-16), Joe Danielson (LD-17), Joseph Egan (LD-17), Robert J Karabinchak (LD-18), Sterley S. Stanley (LD-18), Yvonne Lopez (LD-19), Craig Coughlin (LD-19), Annette Quijano (LD-20), Reginald Atkins- (LD-20), Elizabeth Graner (LD-21), Linda S. Carter (LD-22), James J. Kennedy (LD-22), Tyler Powell (LD-23), Guy Citron (LD-23), Diane Salvatore (LD-25), Dr. Jonathan Torres (LD-25), Rosaura Bagolie (LD-27),Cleopatra Tucker (LD-28), Shanique Speight (LD-29) Garnet R. Hall (LD-28), Eliana Pintor Marin (LD-29), William Sampson (LD-31), Barbara Stamato (LD-31), Jessica Ramierez (LD-32), John Allen (LD-32), Carmen T. Morales (LD-34), Shavonda Sumter (LD-35), Benjie Wimberly (LD-35), Clinton Calabrese (LD-36), Gary Schaer (LD-36), Shama A. Haider (LD-37), Ellen Park (LD-37), Lisa Swain (LD-38), Chris Tully (LD-38), and Giovanna Irizarry (LD-40)
The Latino Action Network endorsed candidates for local elections
Our endorsements in local elections are for Dan Benson for Mercy County Executive. In Hudson County, William “Bill” O’Dea for County Commissioner (District 2), Yraida Aponte-Lipski for County Commissioner (District 4), and Anthony Romano for County Commissioner (District 5). Alpa Patel, George Blount, and Dejon Morris for the Jersey City Board of Education. In Hawthorne, we endorse Craig Cayetano for City Council (Ward 3).
Immigration Policy
IMMIGRATION:
Our nation was built by immigrants and we advocate for fair treatment of new immigrants in all aspects of the law. We favor comprehensive immigration reform and a path for citizenship for undocumented immigrants. We greatly favor immigrant participation in the United States Census.
We oppose the efforts of local, county, and state governments to enforce federal immigration laws, including such efforts as 287g, the deputization of local law enforcement, local ordinances requiring landlords to determine immigration status, and any similar efforts targeting Latino communities. We strongly encourage, state and local governments to create practical policies regarding the humane treatment of immigrants living in their states.
Thus we oppose cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] as well as the honoring of detainer requests by local law enforcement agencies, and New Jersey state and county correctional institutions. We believe that these detainers violate the civil rights of those being detained.
The Latino Action Network supports legislation at the local, state, and federal levels banning wage theft against workers regardless of Immigration Status. The withholding of earnings for full worked performed or the payment of less than the required minimum wage and overtime standards is a widespread issue that affects many people from different socio-economic backgrounds.
We also support New Jersey legislation granting Immigrant Children that are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status [SIJS] under Federal Immigration Law access to New Jersey Courts. SIJS provides an opportunity for immigrant children who have been abandoned, abused, neglected or mistreated by one or both parents to obtain lawful immigration status. New Jersey is currently one of two states in the United States where current case law holds that a family court must find that the a child was abandoned, abused, neglected, etc. by both parents before issuing an order that is needed by the child to apply for SIJS with immigration officials. Thus, many children who live in New Jersey who are eligible for SIJS under immigration law cannot apply for this status because of New Jersey state law.
We oppose legislation at the local, state, and federal levels mandating landlords to determine the immigration status of their tenants for any purpose whatsoever. These types of ordinances have frequently been used on a local level to deter immigrants from living in those communities. These types of legislation break down the fabric of communities and promote mistrust and enmity.