An Iowa City Group that welcomes and supports all immigrants here in the United States

Know your Rights: the following sites have information that you need if you have a confrontation with ICE.

UI Latino Institute (Clic on "Know your Rights)

What you should do if you are stopped by ICE.

 Leila Navidi/The Gazette
 Raul Galvan (right) of Iowa City and his son Raul Galvan Jr., 10, gather with about 80 other people for a peaceful candlelight vigil in solidarity with immigrants last night at Upper City Park in Iowa City. The event was organized by Friends of the Immigrant and the Latino Graduate Student Association at the University of Iowa. It was one of many immigration-rights rallies held throughout the country Tuesday.
 

Free Basic Computer Classes in Spanish

will resume April 19, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. to 8:45 P.M. at the ICPL. There will be four sessions on the following dates 4/19/07, 4/29, 5/3, 5/10
 

For more information, contact Nancy Hernandez de Riehl (319)545-1459

 or chihuahuota@hotmail.com. 

Learn Computer basics like: computer vocabulary, word processors,

typing, using the internet, using an email account.

Note: No personal information is requested or required to take these classes.  It is only necessary to bring a pencil and notebook to take notes.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped with our Women's party on May 20, 2006!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Cinco de Mayo cultural celebration and fundraiser on May 6, 2006.  A special thanks to Iguanas Restaurants, El Ranchero Restaurant and El Dorado Restuarant for providing lots of delicious food. 

Thank you to everyone who sacrificed to participate in a "Day without Immigrants" on May 1, 2006.  Over 1,000 people attended.  Read our Press Releases.  To view many inspiring photos, visit the following website http://community.webshots.com/album/549999270CfKUYc (Thank you Helen Yu for taking the photos and posting them).

Photo: We demonstrated in Iowa City on April 2, 2006 to demand humane immigration reform.  About 500 people marched. (photo by Nancy Hernandez de Riehl)

Upcoming Amigos Events

Upcoming Community Events

Press Releases about a "Day without Immigrants"

Monday, May 1, 2006

For Immediate Release

OVER 1,000 RALLY FOR FAIR, COMPREHENSIVE AND HUMANE  IMMIGRATION REFORM---11 IOWA CITY AREA BUSINESSES CLOSE

IOWA CITY – Waving U.S. flags and chanting, “We Work Hard! We Pay Taxes! We Speak English! We Serve  the Military! We Are Americans!,” over 1,000 immigrants, students and their supporters turned out for a peaceful march and rally in downtown Iowa City.   The demonstrators sought to raise awareness about the economic importance of immigrants, especially to Iowa—a state that is losing population.

            Organizers charged high school student Tony Vargas with getting signatures for a petition.  Vargas delivered over 650 signatures with the help of other students and volunteers.  Vargas, a U.S. born-citizen and student at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, also spoke at the rally about the struggles his immigrant parents face daily.

Photo: Pak, the owner of Thai Flavors Restaurant at 340 E. Burlington St., Iowa City, holds a sign at the Iowa City rally on May 1, 2006.  Pak is well known for having fundraisers at his restaurant for various community groups.  In fact, he had one scheduled for May 1, but rescheduled it to show his support for "A Day without Immigrants"!  Pak was one of many local restaurant and business owners that displayed support by closing their businesses. (photo by Helen Yu)

             Speakers included several University of Iowa students and immigrants who spoke about their hardships, hopes and dreams.  UI engineering student Daniel Mendez lead the crowd in dispelling common myths about immigration--such as the fact that immigrants do not pay taxes.  Mendez said that immigrants pay up to $140 billion in taxes and most undocumented immigrants will never see a social security check despite up to $20 billion in contributions.  Several UI professors discussed immigration history and policy.  UI Prof. Dave Osterburg spoke on behalf of Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Ed Fallon, who would partner with Iowa businesses to provide English as a Second Language, health care and housing to their immigrant workers.  Congressional aid Katie Donahue read a statement on behalf of Rep. Leach, who voted against H.R. 4437, the bill that would make felons out of undocumented immigrants and immigrant aid workers.

            Two unassociated dissenters attended.  One chanted “Go Back to Work!” making attendees wonder if the man had also taken the day off.

            At least eleven Iowa City area businesses closed including several restaurants and grocery stores.  Most of the businesses closed in solidarity while some lacked workers. 

            Other eastern Iowa events included a mid-day march and rally in Washington, Iowa which drew several hundred attendees.  In West Liberty, the interfaith group, People in Action United for Liberty (PAUL), organized a candle light vigil in the twilight of Kimberly City Park.  Over 150 people attended to hear spiritual and community leaders, including the mayor, endorse family reunification, earned legalization and college opportunities for immigrant high school students as the best reform for West Liberty.

            For more information, visit www.friendsoftheimmigrant.org or email info@friendsoftheimmigrant.org

Wednesday, April 26, 2006
For Immediate Release

Iowa City Community and University of Iowa students Come Out In Support of the “A Day without Immigrants” March and Rally

Iowa City, IA – On May 1st, many workers across Iowa and the nation will not go to their jobs, many students will not go to class and many shoppers will not go to the stores.  But it is no vacation.  On the contrary, they will be working hard to promote fair, comprehensive and humane immigration reform to benefit American families, workers, businesses and security.

            Friends of the Immigrant (a community group) and the Association of Latinos Moving Ahead (ALMA, a UI student group) are sponsoring a “Day without Immigrants” march and rally on May 1^st, 2006, where representatives from the community will announce their support for immigrant rights.  The groups support comprehensive immigration reform that includes rapid family reunification, a path to earned citizenship and worker rights.   Comprehensive reform aims to reduce illegal immigration by addressing both family and economic concerns in addition to security and enforcement. 

            The Iowa City groups oppose enforcement-only measures that they describe as “inhumane, counterproductive, redundant and unrealistic,” such as H.R. 4437, which would make felons out of undocumented workers, their families, clergy and community aid workers. 
            Organizers request rally participants to wear white and bring U.S. flags.  The groups request that area businesses support their immigrant workforce and consumers by excusing absent employees and by publicly supporting comprehensive reform.  Rally organizers also ask that area schools be sensitive and supportive of the beliefs and actions of their students, many of whom are U.S. citizens who do not wish to see their parents deported.  For more information, visit www.friendsoftheimmigrant.org or email info@friendsoftheimmigrant.org