In latest developments over the crusade for fair immigration reform, UFW Vice President Giev Kashkooli has been arrested for joining others in a campaign to win a new immigration process that includes a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants.
Earlier in the day, Kashkooli helped deliver 224 sweet American-grown cantaloupes, harvested by immigrants in California, to each member of the House of Representatives who voted in favor of Rep. Steve King's proposal to end the Deferred Action program for DREAMers and other uses of prosecutorial discretion in deportation cases. The cantaloupes were affixed with the message: "This cantaloupe was picked by immigrants in California" and "You gave Steve King a vote. Give us a vote for citizenship."
Thursday actions are part of a series of events that the UFW, the UFW Foundation and a broad coalition of civil rights, labor, and immigrant organizations, are planning for the next days and weeks until members of the House agree to advance comprehensive immigration reform legislation, such as the S. 744 or Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.
The Senate proposal, which was overwhelmingly approved in the Senate last June, includes a roadmap to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the country and includes special agricultural provisions negotiated by the United Farm Workers and major grower associations.
The UFW is calling on House GOP lawmakers, including Speaker John Boehner and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, to make a stand for real immigration reform that includes a roadmap to citizenship. Some anti-immigrant lawmakers and groups are trying to make it seem as it is somewhat complicated, but it's not complicated. House Republicans could just choose to allow a vote for the Senate bill or for the comprehensive immigration reform proposal that a bipartisan group of House representatives are working on.
Americans and new immigrants have been waiting for too long.