Latinas have long been involved with the issue of immigration, and many see it as a calling of sorts. “I come from a real big immigrant family, says Cecilia Muñoz, White House director of Intergovernmental Affairs and a former senior vice president for the Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). With more than 20 years of experience working on immigration issues, according to Muñoz, whom is one of the many Latinas working on the immigration issue, the current political climate is the hardest aspect of their work. “I have lived the experience and I have a deep understanding that immigration is a fundamental part of the American experience,� said Michigan native, born to parents who emigrated from Bolivia. “This is the most toxic environment I’ve ever seen in all the years I’ve been in Washington. “It is frustrating and perplexing. There has been a long history of bipartisanship in Washington, but it’s not happening.� Last April, Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 into law, a bill that dramatically expands the power of local police to enforce federal immigration law. The bill caused a national uproar, with a broad range of opponents vocally condemning it, including policymakers, immigration and civil rights groups, state and local government, faith-based groups, and many Latina elected officials. “There is great fear and apprehension out in the community,� says NALEO president and Harris County (Texas) Commissioner Sylvia R. García, an elected official who represents half a million members of the Houston area. “People are very concerned, and as a lawyer and former judge, my biggest concern with this law is that it is unconstitutional. It really creates unfair treatment and mistrust.�

The legislation has been legally challenged, and while that plays out in the courtroom, García says one of the key things that must be done is to make sure that other states and jurisdictions don’t approve similar measures. “We have to win this on the streets,� she states. “We are trying real hard in our area [Houston] to engage all the stakeholders. We have a broad coalition across the board. Everyone understands that [the law in Arizona] has a chilling effect on our communities. The public has to realize that is more than just about a traffic stop.� The atmosphere surrounding discussions on immigration reform is actually helping mobilize forces, say some of those involved in the issue. “My constituents know that I will stand up on some issues even though they may not be the most popular, but it’s important to stand up for people who are going to be hurt on a given situation, no matter what it may be,� says Arizona State Representative Krysten Sinema. Although Sinema is not Latina, she strongly identifies with the Hispanic culture and is a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials [NALEO]. “I grew up in a border community and I celebrate and respect diversity,� she says. “I feel very connected to the Latino community. My first job was as a social worker in the immigrant community, and I realized they didn’t have the same opportunities as I did.� Sinema adds that she is asked “many times� why is she involved in the issue of immigration reform if she “doesn’t have to� as a non-Latina, her respond is: “I’m doing this because it’s the right thing to do. I don’t want to look back on my life and think I didn’t do anything. I feel I have to be proactive. My constituents respect that. They may not agree with me, but they respect it. I’m taking a stand not because it’s popular but because it’s right.�

Sinema adds that it is part of her job, to “educate� the community, especially now while her home state is in many respects “ground zero� on the raging battle for immigration reform. “As an elected official, my job is to represent my constituents and make decisions that are right for my state. My state is not supposed to be like this (approving SB 1070). This type of legislation won’t solve our problems and it’ll actually make things worse. My job is to talk to people and educate them on that.� Commissioner García adds that a largely ignored aspect of the debate surrounding immigration is the burden many Latinas will have to bear. “Americans have family values. I don’t think people want to disrupt families and separate families, but that is exactly what is going to happen. Since it’s men that are the ones usually deported, we’re going to have many more Latina heads of household, making less money because they’ve lost a wage earner, and having to raise children by themselves.� Naturally, advocates of immigration reform say they aren’t about to throw in the towel. “We’re not going to give up,� says Muñoz. “It’s like being in a boat in the rapids. You just keep paddling.� The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund strongly opposes Arizona’s SB 1070. For more information on their efforts with Comprehensive Immigration Reform, visit: http://www.naleo.org/ImmigrationReform.html Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this article are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the LATINA Style staff. In addition, LATINA Style does not imply endorsement by NALEO.