Changes to USCIS fees are coming

The Trump administration has proposed fee changes to the United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) applications, increasing the fee on naturalization by almost 200% among others.

By proposing this change, the administration is putting a class barrier on legal pathways of immigration that will disproportionately affect Latinx immigrants. So far, these are proposals but it is been estimated that, if approved the changes could go into effect as soon as March or April of this year. Ultimately, their plan is to take the increased income generated from the immigrant community to fund ICE to continue its terror campaign on our communities.

The most drastic change in fees is for the naturalization application and the application filed for DACA, which is used when permanent residents meet the time requirement to apply for citizenship. By increasing the fee, it will disenfranchise these immigrants for longer, immigrants that could be using their vote to stand up to anti-immigrant politicians threatening their families and livelihoods. The pathway to citizenship is already full of obstacles, something that’s been referred to in a Times article as an “invisible wall”, with fees and wait times making it almost impossible for some immigrants to do it the “right way”.

The fees for DACA renewals are subject to change from $495 to $760 if the proposal goes through, the change would cause many to lose their protections due to financial barriers. DACAmented immigrants rely on this work permit to pay bills, mortgages and tuition. Many young DACAmented students don’t qualify for most scholarships or financial aid because of their legal status. Adding this additional financial burden is clearly meant to discriminate against low-income Latinx immigrants. Since last year we have been fundraising to provide DACA renewal scholarships for local DACA recipients, in total we were able to give out 64 scholarships.

We continue to fight for dignity and respect for immigrants in this country. If you need help with your DACA renewal reach out to us. MRNV has started The Las Vegas Dream Fund specially for DREAMers in Nevada that are not able to pay the fees to renew their DACA application.

“Housing Not Handcuffs!” join the fight for Housing Justice in Nevada.

For Make the Road Nevada (MRNV), the new year has started off with a big fight for housing. Beginning Thursday, January 9th, the Las Vegas community showed up to Mayor Carolyn Goodman’s State of the City to oppose her continued criminalization of the homeless population in Las Vegas. The following Wednesday the 15th of January, we showed up to protest against an addition to the homeless ban ordinance at the City Council meeting. In February, we will be celebrating our two year anniversary and officially launch our housing campaign.

Every year, the mayor of Las Vegas addresses the status of the city, similar to the presidential State of the Union address, in a State of the City address. In the address, Mayor Goodman touted new projects coming to the Las Vegas area while defending the homeless ban first introduced last year, showing us once again that profits are being valued over people. While defending the homeless ban, Mayor Goodman cited the expansion of the Courtyard, a so called shelter that is outdoors, consists of park benches, and the equivalent of yoga mats for beds.

The following Wednesday, MRNV members were once again protesting outside of city hall, this time to oppose the addition to the homeless ban to streets during sweepings, mentioned by Mayor Goodman in the state of the city. The new addition again consists of a thousand dollar fine and six months in jail. Not only has this never been a problem, but this is a clear demonstration of the war on the poor. A car would receive a $25-$100 fine for being parked during street sweeping. We know that someone who can’t afford a car should not be fined up to 40x more than someone who can afford a car and receive a misdemeanor offense. Sadly, the city council decided to vote in favor of commercial interests and against the people, further marginalizing the homeless community. Thank you to Olivia Diaz and Brian Knudsen for standing with our community.

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#MRNV | 1.23.2020 On Thursday, January 9th, 2020, we gathered outside of City Hall during the State of Vegas Address with our community partners and advocates to remind the mayor that we need real solutions & not policies that criminalize poverty. A homeless ordinance was passed last year that targets our city’s most vulnerable people, and we will continue to push back against unjust laws. If you want to fight against housing injustice in Nevada, come and join the Housing Justice Committee! Meetings are every Friday at 1pm! #maketheroadnevada #stoptheban #homelesslivesmatter #affordablehousingforall #housingjustice #lasvegas #progressivemovement #housingnothandcuffs

A post shared by Make the Road NV (@maketheroadnv) on Jan 23, 2020 at 8:00pm PST

We need leaders who stand with the people, housing should be a human right. Help us by joining this fight for just housing laws by coming to our Affordable Housing Committee on Friday at 1:00 pm At our Affordable Housing Committee, you will stay up to date with the latest actions going on in.. Help us celebrate our 2 year anniversary and the launch of our housing campaign on Feb. 15th.

For more information, email us at amigxs@maketheroadnv.org or come to our weekly meetings.

Efectivo el 1ro de enero los trabajadores de Nevada pueden acumular días de enfermedad pagados. Aqui esta todo lo que debes de saber.

January 27, 2020 admin Earned Paid Sick Days

English

La implementación del Proyecto de Ley 312 (SB312) del Senado comenzó el 1 de enero de 2020

El año pasado miembros de Se Hace Camino Nevada ,en conjunto con la coalición Time to Care NV (TCNV), reunieron esfuerzo para pasar días de enfermedad pagados para las familias trabajadoras de Nevada. El 12 de Junio del 2019 el Gobernador Sisolak firmó el proyecto de ley, SB312, y se hizo ley. El dia de hoy la ley ya está en efecto desde el primero de enero 2020, para empleados de negocios con más de 50 empleados. Quizás estás pensando qué significa esto para ti y como afectara su trabajo? Lee estas preguntas comunes sobre los días de enfermedad pagados:

Pregunta 1: Quién es elegible para los días de enfermedad pagados?

Respuesta: Empleados de tiempo completo y tiempo medio en negocios con más de 50 empleados

P2: Quien no son elegible para los días de enfermedad pagados?

R: Empleados que son temporal, estacional, y [on-call]; Negocios con una póliza equivalente a la ley.

P3: Cuantos días de enfermedad tengo el derecho de recibir?

R: Tienen el derecho a .01923 horas por hora trabajada de tiempo de enfermedad pagada, acumolando a 5 dias al año.

P4: Como funcionara mis días de enfermedad pagados?

R:Tu empleador puede decidir proveer los días de enfermedad todos al mismo tiempo o deberá ir acumulando el tiempo antes de tomar los días.

P5: Cuando puedo comenzar a usar días de enfermedad pagados?

R: Eres elegible para usar tus días de enfermedad pagados después de cumplir 90 días de empleados con un empleador y dependiendo si haz accumulado la minimas horas para usar los dias.

P6: Cuanto tiempo de aviso tengo que dar antes de usar un dia de enfermedad pagados?

R: SB312 no pone requisitos fijos por uso con anticipación pero el empleador puede requerir aviso si se conocía de la cita anteriormente pero no limita el uso a última hora por emergencias.

P7: Te pueden negar tu dia de enfermedad pagado?

R: Tus días de enfermedad pagados no puede ser negado si tienes tiempo acumulado, ni te pueden requerir encontrar un reemplazo o tomar represalias en contra de ti por usar los días.

P8: Qué puedo hacer si mi empleador no me ofrece días de enfermedad pagados?

R: Si su empleador no cumple con la nueva leya, llena un queja en este sitio: http://labor.nv.gov/About/Forms/FORMS_FOR_EMPLOYEES/

También se puede comunicar con Make the Road Nevada para más ayuda sobre este tema.

PRESS RELEASE: The Supreme Court sides with Trump on “Public Charge”

January 17, 2020 admin Immigrant Justice, Press Release

For Immediate Release: January 27, 2020

The Supreme Court sides with Trump on “Public Charge”

LAS VEGAS, NV— The Supreme Court has voted 5-4, along ideological lines, to allow the Trump administration to apply the “Public Charge” rule for immigrants applying for a green card. By allowing “Public Charge” to be applied while it runs its course through the lower courts, the supreme court has further enabled Trump’s racist attacks on the immigrant community. Now, the most vulnerable population of immigrants will be punished for the aid they desperately need.

In addition, by allowing this rule to stand, not only are immigrants suffering but children from mixed-status families will suffer from the fear of being punished for use of public assistance, even though it won’t.

“This will make some immigrant parents opt out of assistance like free school lunch. The impact that this ruling will have goes beyond the scope of the actual rule, but also the turmoil within the immigrant community that it will cause. We need to support them, not deny them life-sustaining support such as food stamps, Medicaid and housing assistance.” Leo Murrieta, Executive Director for Make the Road Nevada

Make the Road NV is committed to fighting for the rights of immigrants in this country. The application of this rule would create a wealth check that will disproportionately affect hard working Latinx immigrants.

Make the Road Nevada (MRNV) builds the power of Latino and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, and transformative education

Download the PDF here.

Puerto Rico get hit with earthquakes

January 14, 2020 admin Justice for Puerto Rico

Beginning in late December 2019, a series of earthquakes struck the southern coast of the island of Puerto Rico. Since then, the island’s faced almost 800 earthquakes, with varying magnitudes reaching up to 6.4. Puerto Rico’s weak infrastructure couldn’t hold up following the continuing earthquakes, having already been weakened by the effects of Hurricane Maria more than two years ago. About 1 million Puerto Ricans were left without power or running water. The Island had been waiting for the $18 million dollars in relief Congress had allocated that President Trump is sitting on. This aid would have been used to rebuild the island’s infrastructure after Hurricane Maria destroyed critical power lines and structures, leaving certain regions without power for 11 months.

Our thoughts and prayers are with our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters on the island, for too long they have been treated like second-class citizens. They deserve a just recovery, one that was not given to them in the events following Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico needs the support of the US government during this natural disaster. We need to also take action now, you can donate directly to relief efforts here: https://www.justiceforpuertorico.org/donate.

To get involved in some of the work we do on Puerto Rican Justice in Nevada, join us at one of our weekly meetings, Wednesdays at 6:00pm at 4250 E Bonanza Rd. Suite 20, or email us at amigxs@maketheroadnv.org

Nevada workers may now qualify for having earned paid sick days. Know your employment rights.

January 8, 2020 admin Earned Paid Sick Days, Economic Justice, Time to Care Nevada

Español

Senate Bill 312 (SB312) implementation Jan. 1, 2020

Last year Make the Road Nevada (MRNV) members along with the Time to Care NV (TCNV) coalition, rallied together in an effort to push for earned paid sick days for the working families in Nevada. On June 12, 2019, Governor Sisolak made it official when he signed SB312 into law. Fast-forward to now, SB312 took effect on January 1st for employers with more than 50 employees. You may be asking what this means to you and how it might affect your job? Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding earned paid sick days:

Q1: Who is eligible for earned paid sick leave?

A: Full-time and Part-time employees with employers who have more than 50 employees

Q2: Who is NOT eligible for earned paid sick leave?

A: Temporary, seasonal, and on-call employees; employers with less than 50 employees; and employers with matching or greater paid leave policies

Q3: How much paid sick leave am I owed?

A: You are owed .01923 hours of paid sick leave per hour worked

Q4: How will my paid sick leave work?

A: Your employer must provide you with paid sick leave at the rate above either by earning it over time or front loading, depending on the employer’s discretion.

Q5: When can I start using my earned paid sick leave?

A: You are eligible to use your paid sick leave after 90 days of employment and depending on workplace policies once you have earned the minimum increment to use a paid sick day.

Q6: How long do I have to give notice before using my paid sick leave?

A: SB312 does not set requirements for use of paid leave ahead of time but also does not restrict the use of last-minute notices for emergencies.

Q7: Can my employer deny my paid sick leave?

A: Your paid leave can NOT be denied if you have available paid leave, nor can you be required to find a replacement as a condition or be retaliated against for using paid leave.

Q8: What should I do if my employer is not providing paid sick leave if you are eligible?

A: If your employer is not complying with the new law, file a complaint at the following website:

http://labor.nv.gov/About/Forms/FORMS_FOR_EMPLOYEES/

I am a DREAMer: Lalo

January 6, 2020 MRNV I am a DREAMer, Immigrant Justice, Make the Road Nevada

LaLo learned at an early age what it meant to be an undocumented immigrant. He was brought to the United States at the age of 2 and was fortunate enough to receive DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) at the age of 25. He is now the political director for Make the Road NV and works hard every day to empower his community and unite all people to fight for everyone’s right to be able to achieve their full potential, regardless of a 9 digit social security number.

On November 12th, 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) started hearing testimonials on the DACA program. Now more than ever, we need to stand with #Dreamers.

RENEW YOUR DACA DONATE TO HELP OTHERS & GET INVOLVED

If you live in Las Vegas, NV and need assistance with renewing your application or you want to share your story and get involved in the fight to PROTECT OUR DREAMers, email: amigxs@maketheroadnv.org

Donate to help local DREAMers renew their DACA http://bit.ly/MRNVdonate

Going Hungry, Looking for Work

December 18, 2019 admin Social Justice

President Trump continues his attack on low-income communities and decides to starve them as well. Recently the Trump Administration has finalized new rule changes with US Department of Agriculture to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that would limit eligibility for single recipients who work less than 20 hours. This change would remove almost 700,000 recipients from the program, more commonly known as food stamps, leaving them hungry. This change could prove to be drastic for families, communities and local grocers.

The proposed changes would virtually eliminate the ability for state governments to give waivers to SNAP recipients who don’t meet the 20 hours per week work requirement and don’t have dependents or a disability. As of now the almost 700,000 recipients are able to apply for a waiver that removes the limit of 3 months of assistance per 3 years. A major part of the recipients of these waivers are from high unemployment areas. This proposed change was previously a part of a farm bill in Congress that was ultimately left out. Showing yet another time that President Trump circumvents the legislative process.

This change impedes the ability for individuals to succeed and reach autonomy while fearing the possibility of food insecurity. In Las Vegas, many casino workers and laborers are subjected to on-call shifts and unreliable hours, many of which depend on this program. Unreliable hours should NOT be a reason to go hungry. In other high unemployment areas, people manage to make ends meet with day jobs and gigs while searching and struggling to find consistent employment. Their only relief was this program to at least not going hungry. Household with multiple adults and families will suffer the most as they are already at higher risk of homelessness; putting more pressure on the families to pick up the new costs in the households. The homeless population will be further pushed from any sort of path to housing, for many of them food stamps are the main source of food. Removing their access to food stamps only adds onto the obstacles they face on a daily basis. This change is under the guise of employment incentives, while only removing support and not creating more jobs to struggling communities.

If you want to help stand up to unjust changes like these or stay informed on the latest, join us at our weekly community meetings on Wednesday at 6pm. Get involved with our fight against the homeless ban or for tenant rights and affordable housing by joining our Housing Committee on Fridays. Contact us for more information at amigxs@maketheroadnv.org

FamiliasGiving & Turkey Giveaway

December 2, 2019 MRNV Housing Justice, Make the Road Nevada

We hope that everyone had a happy Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and lots of food! Here at Make the Road, members did the most to make this Thanksgiving a special one. Starting at our Familias Unidas meeting, members put on a Thanksgiving dinner for all of our members and staff, giving us a chance to say thanks as an organization.This past Monday, Kenneth and other local businesses in Las Vegas donated Turkeys to our MRNV members. Over the weekend, we successfully hit our fundraising goal for our GivingTuesday campaign!

As the holidays approach, the Familias Unidas Committee wanted to celebrate with the MRNV family. Our Make the Road familia joined for a special dinner dedicated to giving thanks. FamiliasGiving was a night filled with dancing, laughter, and delicious food and deserts. As members came in carrying their favorite dishes, ready to share, they were greeted with great music and festive decorations put on by the Familias Unidas Committee. Our members took the time to commemorate and give thanks for the past year. All the food was delicious and the welcoming ambiance was even better. We would like to thank all of the MRNV members who put in the work to help their communities day in and day out.

The Monday before Thanksgiving, Kenneth Ceballos together with other local businesses collected over 150 turkeys and chose Make the Road Nevada as one of the recipients of the turkeys. Thanks to them, 35 of our members ensured their family had a Thanksgiving dinner!

Make the Road NV is an organization for the community by the community. This holiday season, while you gather around with your loved ones, give someone else that same opportunity. Families belong together today and every day. You can still donate to our GivingTuesday, before time runs out. Donate to our GivingTuesday campaign and let DREAMers know that they belong here.

DONATE HERE

PRESS RELEASE: Metamorphosis of the Woman Conference a Success in Nevada

November 26, 2019 admin Press Release, Women Empowerment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAS VEGAS — Women in Las Vegas often find themselves struggling to find a space to learn about important topics and where they are allowed to express themselves freely. This Saturday, Make the Road Nevada together with partners in the city of Las Vegas hosted, Metamorphosis of the Woman Conference, more than 100 women attended the event where they engaged in dialogue about reproductive justice, healing modalities, and activism as a tool for liberation during our conference.

In the Latino society some of these topics are considered tabu and therefore never talked about at home or in any social setting.

“I got here a little depressed because of personal reasons but the first workshop made me feel much better and really helped me, the workshop talked about techniques on how to get rid of the negative thoughts and gave us great techniques…A lot of times we have problems that we keep inside because we have no place to go and these events really help,” Ofelia Esquivel attended the event

This yearly conference hopes to continue empowering women to be their best selves. We thank this year’s sponsors: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services , Division of Public & Behavioral Health, Health Plan of Nevada, UNLV Immigration Law Clinic, Chispa, Happy Smiles, Human Rights Campaign, Immunize Nevada, Nevada Minority Health & Equity Coalition, Dignity Health, Nice & Bella, PLAN, Undocunetwork, Vision y Compromiso, Consumer Assistance & Resource Enterprise, Mujeres de Excelencia, Nevada Conservation League, Planned Parenthood, HIV, Promotoras & Public Affairs.

We are now starting to plan next year’s event and hope with the help of our community members, businesses and organizations we can keep growing and include more women.

DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE HERE

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