1. How does NAFCON view migration? 2. How does NAFCON view Filipino migration? 3. How does NAFCON view Filipino migration and Labor Export Policy (LEP) in relation to the US immigration system? 4. What is the current climate/landscape of immigration reform in the US? 5. What are the conditions of Filipinos in the United States? 6. What is NAFCON’s campaign plan?

HOW DOES NAFCON VIEW MIGRATION?

LANDLESSNESS AND POVERTY

JOBLESSNESS Unfair choice of being with your family at home or finding work abroad.

HOW DOES NAFCON VIEW MIGRATION? Migrants face unequal treatment, exploitation, and severe hardship Immigration laws are crafted in the interest of corporate profit versus the humane and dignified treatment of laborers.

NAFCON views forced migration as an issue that all Filipinos and our allies should take on together to correct in the interest of justice.

 The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reports 4,500 Filipino workers leave daily to work abroad.  At least 400,000 people are added to the Philippine labor force every day, with no job opportunities available but to work for cheap wages abroad.  In 2010, overseas Filipino workers (OFW) remittances brought in $18 billion in national revenue. That is almost 12 percent of the gross domestic product.  The Philippines ranked as the fourth biggest recipient of migrant remittances worldwide, next only to the $25.5 billion of India, the $24.2 billion of Mexico and the $21 billion of China.

LABOR EXPORT POLICYOVERSEAS REMITTANCES An Economy Based On

The Philippine government’s efforts to support Filipino migrants throughout the world are severely lacking both in terms of resources allocated and services offered.

 LEP, along with all policies prioritizing a remittance driven economy should be completely abandoned and replaced with genuine agrarian land reform and national industrialization.  The nation’s natural resources, should be instead used to develop domestic industries and create jobs in the Philippines.

How does NAFCON view Filipino migration and Labor Export Policy (LEP) in relation to the U.S. immigration system?

 Throughout its history the flow of Filipino migration to the U.S. has been strictly regulated and controlled, primarily to serve the interest of the global one percent and its labor needs.

 This effort to control and regulate the flow of im/migrants, workers and their families according to the needs and dictates of the U.S. economy runs counter to the basic human right to choose and to work in one’s own homeland.

It systematically promotes and facilitates the export of human labor. It works as a prime recruitment agency for marketing labor. LEP thrives for the benefit of influential government officials, business leaders, landlords and especially powerful U.S. business leaders.

What is the current climate and landscape of immigration reform in the U.S.?

 The current legislative climate will not bring fundamental change to the immigration system and conditions of Filipinos im/migrants. Although there can be new proposals for reforms, this will only serve the U.S. needs for cheap labor and its economic gains.

In 2007, Obama made promises to pursue comprehensive immigration reform and many hoped that there would be CIR in the first year of his term What is the current climate and landscape of immigration reform in the U.S.?

 In 2010, Arizona set off a firestorm with a local anti- immigrantbill. At the state levels, anti-immigrant states are pushing for similar bills with half having a chance to pass.  Since 2009, the anti- immigrant forces have been much more active and united in different levels and forms of propaganda and actions. The attacks are happening at the national and local levels.

 At the same time, the U.S. continues to enact migrant labor policies and programs that promote contractualization (or temporary work) that diminish the power of im/migrant workers to collectively bargain and form unions.

 Filipino im/migrants are exploited, especially the undocumented, while families continue to be separated by long waiting periods for petitions to be approved and detentions and deportations are allowed to run rampant.

Many fall victims to human and labor trafficking (Sentosa nurses, Florida 15, Arizona 34, South Carolina 12, Adman 11, Teachers from LA and Maryland) and faced with unfair labor laws and regulations such unpaid wages and hours of worked, inhumane working conditions and discrimination.

 Counter unjust U.S. immigration policies, reforms, regulations and actions  Counter the unjust U.S. role in the forced migration of Filipinos that push us to leave and seek work abroad.  Make widely known the Philippine government’s role and participation in the systemic exploitation of Filipino workers.  Increase NAFCON’s membership.  Build stronger relation and coordination with Migrante International.  Support in the building of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA)  Fundraise for NAFCON.  Conduct surveys and other forms of research on U.S. Filipinos in regards to immigration to sharpen the demands of our community.

 Filipinos Say No to Anti-Migrant Laws!  End forced migration, create jobs in the Philippines!  Defend and advance the rights of im/migrants and refugees!  Stop crackdowns on undocumented workers!  Bail out the people, not the banks and big corporations!  Stop the militarization of our communities!  Stop the illegalization of migrants and immigrants!  End criminalization of migrants and immigrants!  End unjust removals and deportations!

 No to anti-people economic policies around the world!  No to Labor Export Policy!  End trafficking of women, children and workers!  Strong worker protection regardless of immigration status!  Repeal employer sanctions!  Eliminate employment verification (E-Verify)!  Right to organize!  Family Reunification Now!  Money for books and education not for war and military occupation!