TAKE ACTION
CATA’s is creating lasting change in farm and migrant workers' living and working conditions. Will you join us?
We are improving workers and immigrant rights and promoting food Justice in Maryland, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. We work with volunteers, and donors, providing a platform for you to make a more significant, more profound difference. Join us today. Change doesn’t happen without you.
Visit https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials for contact information for your federal, state and local elected officials. You can also be directly connected to US representatives by calling 202-225-3121 and US senators by calling 202-224-3121.
New Jersey Legislation
SPEAK UP! NJ Language Justice & Inclusion
#S2459 / #A3837
There are over 150 languages spoken in New Jersey. But we need just one voice -- YOURS! -- to speak up for Language Access.
Bill S2459/A3837 would require that all state government agencies in the Executive Branch that provide direct services provide:
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non-machine translation in the 15 most spoken languages by Limited English Proficient New Jerseyans
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oral interpretation, including for languages not covered in that bracket
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designated language access coordinators at each public entity and robust annual reporting requirements
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highly visible informational posters and signage about language access in service areas
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"I Speak" cards that allow New Jerseyans to indicate which services they request
Lack of Language Access is hurting New Jersey. Lack of access to timely, accurate information causes costly emergencies that cost the State money and cost residents their lives.
Your representatives need to hear from you. Join us in sending a clear message: We deserve a NJ that speaks for all of us. Click here to #SpeakUp and urge your lawmakers to PASS S2459/A3839 TODAY! 🌼🗣️
Support the efforts of the Recovery for All Coalition to win permanent protections for the immigrant community
In New Jersey, grassroots and community organizations have been fighting since the beginning of the pandemic for the state to take responsibility for providing support to communities excluded from other forms of pandemic assistance, such as the COVID-19 stimulus payments and Pandemic Unemployment.
As a result of the efforts of the Recovery for All Coalition, the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund was established with 40 million dollars, and in the 2022 budget, Governor Murphy has proposed the creation of an additional fund with $53 million.
"The immigrant community needs the State of NJ to fund a permanent safety net. The Excluded New Jerseyan's Fund and the Governor's new proposed fund are welcome steps. Still, we know that to achieve equity, our community needs permanent relief that reaches as many people in our community as possible." Jessica Culley, CATA's General Coordinator.
If you'd like to support the efforts of the Recovery for All Coalition to win permanent protections for the immigrant community, send us an email at cata@cata-farmworkers.org
PASS THE VALUES ACT. ACT NOW!
Far too many immigrant New Jerseyans and their families live in fear that a routine interaction with law enforcement, a visit to the emergency room, or even a school drop-off will result in separation from their loved ones and deportation.
Tell your state lawmakers: we must build a truly fair and welcoming state for all people – regardless of immigration status. It’s past time for New Jersey to end its participation in the federal detention and deportation machine. That’s why we must pass the Values Act.
Pennsylvania Legislation
Sign our petition to help us win Driver's Licenses for All!
We're creating a more inclusive and just Pennsylvania by pushing for legislation that allows all residents to obtain driver's licenses, regardless of immigration status.
We need 10k signatures by June 2023! Sign on now: https://buff.ly/42UXRdE
We are working and building for PA to become the 16th state to approve this common sense legislation. PA should follow the leadership of our neighbor states like New York and New Jersey. We support legislation that will allow immigrants to show an IRS-issued tax ID number (ITIN) and/or a combination of documents proving their identity instead of a social security number. All other requirements for obtaining driver’s license - proving Pennsylvania residency, buying car insurance, and passing a driver’s test - would remain the same.
Driving Pennsylvania Forward!
This bill would amend state law to grant a driver’s license without a Social Security number, enabling undocumented immigrants to receive a learner’s permit or a driver’s license, by using just their taxpayer identification number and some additional documents.
The fight for Drivers' Licenses in Pennsylvania continues! Earlier this summer, the chair of the House Transportation Committee in the Pennsylvania State Legislature - Representative Tim Hennessy (Chester/Montgomery Counties), communicated with the Driving PA Forward Coalition that he was ready to vote HB 279 out of committee and towards a vote in the House of Representatives! He let us know that showing strong support from the Chambers of Commerce from around the state would be essential in achieving a positive vote for the bill.
So, over the past month or two, the Driving PA Forward Coalition has been working to outreach to businesses across the state to get their endorsements on the campaign and also to speak with our local chambers of commerce to get their endorsements. To date, the Coalition has gotten endorsements from 8 Chambers of Commerce across Pennsylvania, and in Chester County, we've worked over the past month to collect endorsements from 11 local businesses.
Can you support this effort?
If you know a business that would like to endorse the campaign, please sign on here!
Are you an individual who would like to support the campaign? Sign this petition!
You can also contribute financially to support the Driving PA Forward Coalition.
If you'd like more information on how you can get involved, please email Jessica Culley at jculley@cata-farmworkers.org.
Maryland Legislation
Meatpacking Workers Need Protections Now: Support the Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021
The Bill would provide essential protections to meatpacking workers, including limiting line speed waivers and enhancing protection from retaliation for workers who speak up about conditions.
CATA's members on the Delmarva Peninsula have long known about the appalling conditions in the meatpacking and poultry processing industry. So, we're proud to support the Protecting America's Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021, introduced by Senator Cory Booker and Representative Ro Khanna, as it seeks to address the needs of workers for safer working conditions and provide stronger protections for those who speak up.
We encourage you to send a letter to your congressional representatives here!
Federal Legislation
Farmworkers deserve better: Oppose the anti-labor FWMA
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) is an anti-labor bill that will hurt farmworkers for generations. It expands E-Verify and a flawed H-2A program while tying the possibility of immigration status to eight years of exploitation.The agriculture industry says they need this bill to deal with labor shortages and rising food costs, but there wouldn’t be shortages if growers paid higher wages and had better conditions.
Call your Senator and urge them to oppose this bill. bit.ly/NoToFWMA
This bill will only boost profits for the agriculture industry and food corporations that are gouging prices on the backs of workers and their communities. Join us in saying no to laws that divide workers and expand exploitation, and yes to citizenship, fair wages, and better protections for all farmworkers. The FWMA is dangerously close to getting the votes it needs to pass in the Senate. Please urge your Senator to listen to farmworkers across the country and to oppose the FWMA
Passed in the House of Representatives on March 18, 2021CATA is opposed to this bill. We agree that the H-2A program needs to be revised with stronger worker protections and that providing a path to a legal immigration status for farmworkers is a step in the right direction, but not at the expense of other farmworkers and the immigrant community.
Food Chain Workers Alliance Statement
Action alert to oppose: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/oppose-the-farm-workforce-modernization-act-of-2021
Legalization for Essential Workers through Budget Reconciliation
A proposal for a pathway to citizenship that would include Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers, and other undocumented essential workers could be done through budget reconciliation process
Budget Reconciliation allows legislation with a tangible fiscal impact to be enacted under special rules providing for limited debate and requiring only a majority vote.