NDLON

"We must act," declared President Barack Obama in his second inaugural address. "We cannot afford to delay." On a diverse stage that reflected the legacy of our country's social movements for gay, women, and civil rights, the president spoke about the nation's unfinished journey towards greater equality. Making reference to the voices of past civil rights leaders, the president forcefully spoke to meet the nation's challenges, especially our duty to advance equality for gays, women, and immigrants.guardianimmigration reforminaugurationobama's 2nd termsarahi uribe

Cynicism at Obama's election-year move aside, what gives me hope for real reform is the energy of the migrant rights campaign Myisha Areloano, Adrian James, Jahel Campos, David Vuenrostro and Antonio Cabrera camp outside of the Obama campaign headquarters in Culver City, California to protest of the administration's immigration policies: on Friday 15 June, the president announced a change of policy. Photograph: Grant Hindsley/AP In a major announcement Friday 15 June, the Obama administration declared it will stop deporting eligible undocumented youth and grant them work permits. I was immediately elated to hear the news that could change the lives of family members, friends, and thousands of young people who face the threat of deportation every day. Yet, as the initial shock wears off, I can't ignore a rising sense of skepticism in response to the president's nakedly political move in an election year. Nor can I ignore his record so far. dream actexecutive orderguardiansarahi uribesit-in

Ever since the Department of Homeland Security decided to conscript local police as “force multipliers” in harsh immigration enforcement efforts, cities and states have found themselves unwittingly or unwillingly part of the controversial federal deportation program misnamed Secure Communities. But a bold move last week by the D.C. Council [“In D.C., no warm welcome for immigration crackdown,” Metro, June 5] to protect residents from the effects of Secure Communities should serve as a model for the country. ice holdimmigrant detainer amendment actmendelsonop-edsarahi uribesecure communitieswashington postwashington, dc

While many focused on the US supreme court's consideration of Arizona's SB1070 on Wednesday, events on the streets of Phoenix and not in the court, foreshadow the future of the country's immigration debate. Within the supreme court, a very narrow legal principle was discussed – as to whether Arizona was infringing on the federal government's right to set immigration policy. In Phoenix, hundreds of demonstrators were clear about what was really at stake in the high court: a negative decision would clearly worsen Arizona's human rights crisis, but even a positive ruling would not solve it.arizonificationguardianop-edsarahi uribesb1070supreme court

When I first went to a day laborer corner to offer training about wage theft, some people looked at me like I was out of place. After all, I was the only woman in a crowd of a hundred day laborers who looked for work every day in our nation’s capitol.    But the truth is that I’m one of many women who proudly participate in the day laborer movement for worker and human rights. I organize among day laborers because both my parents were immigrant workers who faced similar struggles. While the majority of day laborers are men, women play a vital role as both laborers and organizers. 

In a disappointing repeat of last year's address, President Obama had very little to say on immigration, an issue that is central to the country's future. President Obama boasted about putting more "boots on the border than ever before" while restating his support for the legalization of undocumented youth. His policies are tougher on immigration than any other president's in history, yet he still claims to support change.