Detroit News (Op-Ed) (Article by Cindy Estrada): Past Labor Voices columns have noted that the UAW works in a coalition of national and Alabama-based organizations to repeal H.B. 56, an anti-immigrant law that returns Alabama to its racist past. During Alabama's just-concluded legislative session, lawmakers could have shown leadership by repealing H.B. 56. Instead, they passed the revised but equally racist H.B. 658, which largely targets Alabama's "large" 2 percent Latino population.
Supporters of H.B. 56 and its replacement H.B. 658 claim that both were needed to stop the economic drain undocumented immigrants have on Alabama's economy. Although university research showed that H.B. 56 would potentially have a negative $11 billion annual impact, H.B. 658 aims to cleanse Alabama of immigrants through harassment, isolation and shame. It requires police to view brown people and those speaking with an accent as potential criminals, to stop and question them about their legal status. It burdens schools with the requirement to report suspicions students may have undocumented parents who should be deported. It pushes hard-working individuals and their families to "self deport" in an environment of speculation, fear and hate.
Since January, the UAW and its labor, faith-based, and civil and human rights partners have urged Alabama businesses to demand H.B. 56's repeal. Those businesses — despite publicly promoting robust social responsibility policies — refused to "walk the talk" and let H.B. 658 pass without a fight. These same companies target Latinos to buy their products, including automaker Hyundai, which enjoys a significant and growing Latino market share.
That's why the UAW and its coalition partners are challenging H.B. 658 and beginning a broad education campaign to let all Alabamians and Americans know the truth about its ugly goals. We're also urging businesses seeking to invest in Alabama to take their money to another state because their brand will be tarnished by investing in a state that openly targets Latino immigrants.
Complaints are already being filed for violations of worker protections established by the U.N. International Labor Organization and under NAFTA. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a coalition partner, is preparing legal action to overturn H.B. 658's discriminatory, unconstitutional provisions.
The information campaign has focused initially on Hyundai dealerships in Alabama and across the country to let Hyundai's customers know that the company did not stand against H.B. 56 or H.B. 658 and, by its silence, endorses a law that hurts its large, loyal Latino customer base. We hope that our campaign helps Alabama businesses reconsider their silent endorsement of H.B. 658 and compels them to demand its repeal.
As a mother, I am also ashamed that elected officials would support a law that requires school teachers and administrators to report students whose parents could be undocumented immigrants.
I have twin 9-year-old boys, and I can't imagine sending them to school with the fear that I might not be there at the end of the day, arrested and in jail as undocumented.
H.B. 658 is barbaric, and every day it's on the books is one day too many.
H.B. 658 hurts everyone — Latino or not — because it bruises our humanity and mocks the American legacy of hope and freedom for all.
It's time for all of us to stand together against H.B. 658 and work together on comprehensive immigration reform.
Cindy Estrada is a vice president of the International Union, UAW, and director of its Public Sector and Health Care Servicing Department. The UAW represents 17,000 Michigan state classified employees, the largest contingent of represented employees in state government.
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