Please register now for Educating Latinos for Kentucky’s Future (ELKF) 1^st Annual Conference, which will take place February 11-12, 2010.

This conference, Opportunities and Challenges Facing Latino Students in the Commonwealth, will take place at Northern Kentucky University and will highlight the following items:

1. Thursday, Feb. 11  - Pre-conference Workshop
2. Thursday, Feb. 11 – Conference Opening Reception – Fiesta Latina!
3. Friday, Feb. 12 – Conference for Professionals
4. Friday, Feb. 12 -  Conference for College Student Leaders

 Who should attend? Educators, public and private sector, community leaders, non-profit, etc.

The keynote speaker for Friday’s conference will be Dr. Richard Fry, Senior Research Associate for the Pew Hispanic Center. Also attending the conference and making special remarks will be Mrs. Rosa Rosales, LULAC National President. 

For more information and to register: www.elkf.net

LULAC Cincinnati Council started 2010 on a very strong note: its first meeting of 2010 was the largest ever, and the motivation and excitement in the room was sky high. 

The excellent food was provided by Taqueria Mercado

As the Council is preparing for the 2011 LULAC National Convention to be hosted in Cincinnati, our areas of focus are:

• Education
• Housing
• Civil Rights
• Health
• Public Safety
• Employment and Economic Development
• Arts and Culture

and the new members had a chance to learn more our 2010 goals, and join the team of their interest.

More pictures are in our Photo Gallery (click here)

Next Community meeting is on Sunday, February 21 – 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM at Su Casa. 

Next Networking meeting is on Thursday, February 25 – 6:30 – 8:30 PM

We are pleased to introduce to you the recently launched Spanish section of the Attorney General’s website.  The web address is: http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Ayuda"

In this site, you will find valuable information in Spanish regarding how to file a complaint, services for victims, resources, and how to access the bilingual hotline. Please share with everyone in your communities. This is an excellent resource.

Our deep appreciation goes to Karen Gasper and the AG’s office team for the effort to produce this valuable information in Spanish.

Rally for Fairness!

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Rally

Saturday, January 16

2:00 – 3:30

Speakers include:

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner

State Senator Eric Kearney

Hartwell Country Club (59 Caldwell Dr, Cincinnati)

**Free Transportation Available**

Click here for details

Free Child Care for Children three years and older

What is Comprehensive Immigration Reform?

Workable Solutions that

Reflect our Nation’s Values &

        Move us Forward…

Together

For More Information, please contact: Su Casa at 513-761-1588

More information will be forthcoming:

For those of you who missed our December program...

"The League of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC-Columbus 39005"  invites you to their "Know Your Rights Program":

January 28, 2010, 7-9PM,
St. James The Less, 1654 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, Ohio.

Topics to include...

What are your rights and what you should do to have a more positive result when stopped by the police on foot, in a vehicle or if they come to your house...
What to do if you or a family member is detained by ICE...

and more...

Maria Buch Castillo, Esq.
President
LULAC Columbus 39005

As the liaison between government and the Latino community, the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission has seen a disturbing trend in Ohio:  the breakdown of relationships between law enforcement agencies and the Latino community.  In the past few years, increased immigration enforcement by local law enforcement has eroded trust.  However, as with all relationships, it is a two-way street, and you must know what to do when you are in a situation with law enforcement.  A few simple steps you can take to protect yourself are the following:

Educate Yourself:  you should learn what the proper actions are when you are pulled over by the police.  Local social service agencies and legal aid organizations offer sessions in Spanish called “Know Your Rights” sessions and you can attend one of these.  If none are scheduled, ask them to have one.

Speak Up:  if you feel you have been profiled or mistreated by a law enforcement agent, you can file a complaint with that law enforcement department.  Normally you can do this over the phone.  If you are not comfortable filing a complaint, at least talk to your local social service agency and ask them to document it.  Recently, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, in Toledo, filed a lawsuit against the border patrol and three local police departments for racial profiling.  This could not have been done if individuals had not come forward and spoken up about it.

Ask for Help:  If you have been a victim or witness of a crime, contact a law enforcement agency.  If you are scared to contact a law enforcement agency, contact your local social service or legal service agency.  They will be able to help guide you through the process and protect your rights.  Moreover, if you have been forced, defrauded, or coerced into sexual acts or labor you may be a trafficking victim.  Do you have to ask permission to come and go? Are you not being paid for your work? Are you being forced to have sex or to do different work than promised? Has someone else kept your legal papers?). If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you can call 1-888-881-5465 for help.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform for

America’s Security and Prosperity

(CIR ASAP) Act of 2009

Comprehensive Immigration Reform to be Introduced December 15 

Washington, DC – LULAC, the largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the country, joined by members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Progressive Caucus, today praised Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) for the introduction of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act. There are more than 80 co-sponsors that have already signed up for the legislation. 

“This bill says 'enough,' and presents a solution to our broken system that we as a nation of immigrants can be proud of,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “We are overjoyed that Congressman Luis Gutierrez has taking a leading role in this effort and working with a coalition of diverse groups to finally get this legislation passed. We hope to have a bill before Congress recesses for the holidays so there is no excuse for the New Year.”

Two Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, Men and Four Police Officers Indicted for Hate Crime and Related Corruption

Washington, DC – A federal grand jury has returned multiple indictments arising out of a fatal racially motivated beating and related police corruption in Shenandoah, Pa., the Justice Department announced today.The three indictments include federal hate crime, obstruction of justice, conspiracy, official misconduct and extortion charges.

“Our faith in the justice system has been reaffirmed. We are elated that the Department of Justice civil rights division ruled the incidents were indeed a hate crime and that justice will be served,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “We agree with Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Department of Justice that there is no room for hate or hate crimes on America. The justice system is working for Americans.”

Policy Alert:  BMV Injunction DENIED

As you may know, the League of United Latin American requested an injunction in the Franklin County Municipal Court to prevent the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) from executing a December 8, 2009 cancellation of thousands of motor vehicle registrations that were registered using a third-party transaction.  LULAC sought to prohibit the BMV from requiring those who used a third party transaction (such as power of attorney) to provide a valid Ohio driver's license, identification card or Social Security number. Magistrate Pamela Browning issued a ruling today DENYING the injunction.

We have not yet received the grounds for the ruling, but will make this available as soon as possible.

Effective 12:00 a.m. midnight tonight, those who have not re-registered their vehicles in compliance with the new BMV policy will be in violation of the law and subject to stops by law enforcement officials. Failure to register a vehicle is a violation of the law and is a fourth degree misdemeanor, which is subject to penalties of a maximum of 30 days in jail and $250 in fines (ORC § 4503.11).  Furthermore, failure to display registration on the vehicle is a minor misdemeanor, subject to a penalty of a maximum of $150. (ORC § 4503.21).

Alerta Especial: Requerimiento Preliminar Legal  ante el BMV (Dirección Vehicular) ha sido DENEGADA

Como recordarán, LULAC – [League of United Latin American Citizens] solicitó un requerimiento preliminar legal ante el Tribunal Municipal del Condado de Franklin para prevenir que la Dirección Vehicular (BMV)  autorizara a partir del 8 de diciembre la cancelación de miles de registros vehiculares que fueron registrados por medio de transacciones que usaban a terceros.  LULAC tenía como meta que se le prohibiera al BMV exigir a aquellos que usaron a terceros (como por ejemplo a través de carta poder)  la presentación de una licencia de conducir válida para Ohio, tarjeta de identificación o número de seguro social.  La Magistrada Pamela Browning dictó su veredicto hoy día DENEGANDO el requerimiento legal.

Al momento, no hemos recibido las bases del fallo, apenas la información esté disponible, la pondremos a su disposición.

Efectivo a la media noche 12:00 a.m. de hoy día, aquellos que no han vuelto a registrar sus vehículos de acuerdo a la nueva ley del BMV estarán en violación de la ley y serán sujetos a paradas por la policía.  El incumplimiento del registro de vehículo es una violación de ley y es un delito menor del cuarto grado, el cual está sujeto a castigos de un máximo de 30 días en prisión y $250 en multas (ORC § 4503.11).  Aún más, el no desplegar la placa en el vehículo es un delito menor sujeto a una multa de un máximo de $150. (ORC § 4503.21).