[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Joel Barkin
Executive Director
Progressive States Network

In 2006, many analysts raised fears that anti-immigrant fervor would doom progressive candidates. Instead, progressives won big in those elections. Immigration was a non-issue for many voters and fueled a backlash last year AGAINST conservative candidates by many Latino voters who had supported President Bush in 2000.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Fabiola Inzunza

As a witness to the diverse struggles, achievements, and potential of undocumented students, and as a student advocate who worked tirelessly on this campaign this year, I was disheartened upon hearing the veto message from the Governor's Office this past weekend regarding Senate Bill 1, the California Dream Act.

As a leader of a student organization that works closely with undocumented students and their supporters, each day I see the great need for a bill like the California Dream Act. Low-income undocumented students who have impressive GPAs must juggle multiple jobs in order to pay the $2,500 price of tuition every ten weeks, they must also endure long commutes from distant cities because they cannot find affordable housing near their campus, they are forced to turn away research opportunities, private scholarships, more quarters in school,..

In short, Thousands of students across the state were looking for Governor Schwarzenegger to increase their chances of achieving their educational dreams.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Peter Schrag

There can't be many baseball fans who are still surprised by lineups of big leaguers whose names end in "guez" or "rez" or "ina." Count 'em: Rodriguezes, Ramirezes, Hernandezes, Gonzalezes, Perezes, Vazquezes, not to mention the Zambranos, Cabreras, Encarnacions, Suzukis, Matsuis, and Kims. Is there still a major league catcher not named Molina?

Of the 25 players on the astonishing Colorado Rockies – they won the National League pennant Monday night – eight are foreign born. The Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox, the teams still competing for the American League title, each have nine foreign-born players, meaning that 17 of the 50 players in the World Series will not be U.S. natives.

Of the 18 starters in last summer's All-Star game – presumably the best of the best – eleven (61 percent) were foreign-born. Of the top 10 hitters in the American League this year, seven were foreign born. In the National League, it was a mere four. Total: 11 of 20 (55 percent).

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Randy Bayne
THE BAYNE OF BLOG'S CALIFORNIA NOTES

Congressman Dan Lungren (CA-3) held a town hall meeting in Jackson on Saturday. He came to talk to Amador Co. residents about four issues, immigration, Iraq, spending and earmarks. Most of the two hours was spent on immigration, with few local issues being addressed. As a matter of fact, Lungren seemed disturbed that these constituents would bother him with anything local. He certainly didn't want the audience driving the conversation off his pre-determined course.

He entered the auditorium at Jackson City Hall barely noticed, shook a couple hands, and headed straight for the donuts.

After an introduction by Amador Co. Sheriff Martin Ryan in which he received so much praise it simply had to be phony, Lungren took center stage and started into an explanation of the role of the California Attorney General, an office he used to hold. It felt like he was trying to waste time so he wouldn't have to face too many questions.

Before questions from constituents, Lungren talked about four issues that he says generate the most mail to his office — immigration, Iraq, federal spending and earmarks.

Immigration

by dday [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

The Chron gives a follow-up to last week's hilarious story that the California Republican Party has been hiring non-citizens to staff their top jobs, even as they decry the menace of immigration.  In fact, it turns out that one of their hires may not even be in the country legally.

Michael Kamburowski, the Australian immigrant hired as a top official in the California Republican Party, was ordered deported in 2001, jailed three years later for visa violations -- and has filed a $5 million wrongful arrest lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to U.S. District Court documents.

Kamburowski was named in March to be the chief operating officer of the California GOP. He is responsible for the state party's multimillion-dollar budget and oversees campaign funds and financing for the nation's largest state GOP organization.

This is hypocrisy on steroids.  You have a party that never misses an opportunity to rail against illegal immigration, hiring an illegal immigrant, essentially, as their COO.  Kamburowski says he's a legal resident now, and that he's suing DHS for unlawfully jailing him and attempting to deport him.

But the funniest part is, for a lot of this time, Kamburowski was selling real estate in the Dominican Republic:

by Lucas O'Connor [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

We've got a lot of congressional talk swirling around the belfry.  Because I'm in San Diego, that means immigration.  So of note is that Congress is planning to postpone the passport requirement for Mexico and elsewhere until 2009 because the government can't keep up with the applications.  Well played.  I'm kinda overwhelmed today by stupid news like food-fight lawsuits, dolphins shot to death and a baby served booze at Appleby's, so you're gonna have to seek out your own inspiration this weekend. It's healthy and I'm proud of you.  But on the immigration tip: The White Stripes - Icky Thump

"Well, Americans:
What, nothin' better to do?
Why don't you kick yourself out?
You're an immigrant too."