It’s interesting you should raise the Employer Issue. [From today’s freebie-issue of the San Leandro Times, typing errors would be mine.]
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SLHS Staff, Students Rally Around Aide
INS orders teacher and her family back to Mexico
Supporters for a San Leandro High School teacher’s aide got their wish during a rally on her behalf last Wednesday. The event was held to spur local officials into requesting a 30-day extension for Blanca Segura, who received notice on Dec. 2 that she, her husband and son had one month to voluntarily return to their native Mexico.
About halfway through the rally, English Language Development (ELD) coordinator Dan Martin announced that a 30-day extension had in fact been granted earlier in the day by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Today we found out Blanca was given 30 days,” said Martin. “We’re going to work very hard to make sure she has 30 years more.”
News people from channels 2, 4, 14 (Spanish language) and other local media surrounded Segura as she made her entrance to the cafeteria. Some 250 people gathered inside, including dozens of students holding large signs.
Associate principal Amy Furtado welcomed the students, parents, faculty and staff to the after-school rally.
“We are gathered here to show support for one of our family members, Blanca Segura. We’re showing the media how much she is loved by this staff and the school,” said Furtado. “She is the model citizen.”
The rally became an impromptu civics lesson when Herb Castillo from the International Institute of the East Bay took the microphone.
“I know many Blanca Seguras,” said Castillo. “There are eight million of them who were drawn to this country to work. This country wants our labor, it needs our labor, yet it continues to arrest our people who are being given 30 days at best to leave. These eight million who are here illegally have very few options available to them.”
Castillo told the students that California sent a message to Congress when it passed Proposition 187, which limited immigrant access to government services. He said that since Sept. 11, 2001, concerns for security have put immigrant rights on hold.
“All of you have to learn about immigration laws,” he advised. “Vote, and ask your parents to vote. You have to fight for Blanca and for the immigrant community.”
Segura, wearing sunglasses, waved to the crowd. Martin presented her with a check for over $800 to help with legal costs. The money had been raised through contributions by students, staff, and faculty at the school.
“She’s an amazing woman and an amazing co-worker. I don’t think a lot of these ELD kids can survive without her. She puts her heart into her job,” says fellow teacher’s aide Maria Carvalho.
Senior Juana Juarez, a female wrestler who was at the rally with her team members, said Segura had helped her with college admissions paperwork and obtaining financial aid.
“She’s been there for a lot of Latinos who want to go to college. She also helps with English translation in the office or in class,” said Juarez.
Segura and her family have been in the U.S. for 14 years. She and her husband Roberto have a son, Jonathan, who is a straight-A student at San Leandro High. Jonathan was born in Mexico and is also scheduled for deportation. The Seguras also have two daughters who are students at John Muir Middle School. Jessica and Elizabeth were both born here and are therefore U.S. citizens.
The family has been trying unsuccessfully since 1996 to become legal residents. They applied for political asylum that year but were denied because they had arrived illegally. Since then they have been through a series of appeals and denials culminating in the Dec. 2 notice – and Dec. 18 reprieve.
Martin urged the crowd to continue educating themselves about immigration issues, and to not let the momentum of support drop off during the upcoming winter break. He asked students to write their elected officials requesting legislation to grant the Seguras permanent residency. He also requested donations to help defray the family’s inevitable legal expenses.
“Take time out of your life to help other people,” said Martin. “We are going to make a difference. You already have made a difference. That’s why Blanca got the 30 days. Don’t let this drop because we’re all going to be off for two weeks.”
Community donations to the Segura’s legal defense fund are also welcome. Contributions may be sent to the Blanca Segura Family, c/o the School Bank, San Leandro High School, 2200 Bancroft Ave., CA 94577
“Checks should be made out to SLHS, and the school bank will then pass the money on to Blanca Segura,” says Martin.
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I hate to spam up a perfectly good thread, but I thought this article was interesting from several angles. First, we’ve got a school district that’s hiring illegals to work (and this isn’t cash-only, under-the-table stuff either). Second, we have teachers at that school raising a fuss to protect that illegal. Third, they’re soliciting contributions for that person (and it isn’t mentioned in the article, but this is the same HS that has had quite a few problems related to accounting for money).
Oh well, I’m tired.