February 25, 2002
Photo ID Amendment Hurts Latinos
The Senate plans to continue its debate on the Dodd-McConnell election reform bill (S565), the Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act of 2001 introduced by Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Although the bill contains many provisions that will strengthen the electoral process, there are amendments that could be problematic down the road. Beginning today, February 25, 2002, crucial votes on key amendments are expected. One provision that raises a red flag is that states would be required to establish a photo ID program for individuals who have registered to vote by mail. This "anti-voter fraud" program is challenging on two levels: 1) it imposes unnecessary administrative burdens on local electoral commissions; and 2) it may open the door for discrimination or charges of discrimination by placing volunteer election workers with limited training in a position of power over the voter. In general, photo ID requirements are widely suspect in Latino communities and it is thought that they would disproportionately impact them as a result. There is ample history of election workers having arbitrarily used like methods to intimidate Latino voters across the country to keep them away from the polls. The photo ID requirement could be remedied by the passage of an amendment being introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) that will allow states that currently use attestation or signature to verify voter eligibility to retain their systems in order to avoid disenfranchising first-time voters. Thirty-eight of 50 states currently use signature verification systems. LULAC members are encouraged to register their support for the Wyden/Schumer amendment with their Senators and to oppose the photo ID program. For more information on the bill go to:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:s.00565:

Action Alert: Protect Children Held by INS
In 2002, it is estimated that the INS will detain over 4,500 unaccompanied minors. These children are often placed in detention centers and many times do not have anyone to accompany them when they appear in removal proceedings. Last year, the youngest child detained by the INS was under two years of age. The Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act (S121) introduced by Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) is designed to protect unaccompanied children and provide assistance to them. Many of these children come from war-torn areas and need safety, asylum, and protection. The purpose of the bill is to establish an Office of Children's Services within the Department of Justice to coordinate and implement government actions involving unaccompanied alien children. Any unaccompanied alien child found in the United States would be promptly paroled into the United States and placed under the jurisdiction of the Office. The Office would also have to provide for each unaccompanied child to have counsel and guardian ad litem. For details on the bill go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:s.00121: Call the Capitol switchboard between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26 to urge the Senate to provide protection for these children.

Gaddi Vazquez Sworn In at Peace Corps
President George W. Bush swore in Gaddi Vazquez as head of the Peace Corps on February 15. Vazquez served as Orange County Supervisor from 1987-1995. He then became vice president in charge of public affairs at South California Edison Co. Vazquez will be spearheading the president's new outreach to Afghanistan. The Peace Corps has not been engaged there since 1979.


Arizona Youth Leadership Conference: The 13th Annual Youth Leadership Conference will be held in Tucson, Arizona at the Pima County Community College West Campus on March 13th and 14th. It will be followed by the 13th Annual League of United Latin American Citizens Educational Award Banquet and Scholarship Fund Raiser to be held at the Tucson Convention Center Copper Room. Confirmed special guests include Patsy Torres of the Positive Force Tour Band and Janet Napolitano, Arizona Attorney General. For more information, contact Richard or Mary Fimbres at 520/903-2838.