Civil Rights New: Full Senate Gearing Up for Immigration Bill; Equal Pay Acts Turns 50; Immigrant Workers Find Poverty Amid Wealth in California

Compiled by Claire Ross a Summer 2013 intern at The Leadership Conference Education Fund

“Senate Digs In for Long Battle on Overhaul of Immigration”

Michael d. Shear and Ashley Parker
The New York Times  – June 9, 2013

The Senate  immigration bill, drafted by a bipartisan group called the Gang of Eight, is heading to the Senate floor. Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill energizing both Republican and Democratic Senators who have spent  months negotiating, compromising, and lobbying on behalf of it. But despite the progress of the bill, many Republican senators remain hesitant about the safety and enforcement of our border and have fought to make border security the priority. Passage of the bill will be a monumental landmark for  President Obama and serve to help millions of women, men and children seeking a better life.

“50 Years After The Equal Pay Act, Gender Wage Gap Endures”

Yuki Noguchi
NPR – June 10, 2013

The passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963 was a joyous day; President Kennedy signed the bill to prevent gender discrimination within the workforce and grant women better rights and opportunities. Fifty years after the passage of the bill, women are still encountering immense discrimination in the workforce and are  routinely paid less than their male counterparts. Regardless of the clear laws barring gender discrimination, studies show that employers are seeking to avoid the law. Women reaching their childbearing years are particular targets for gender discrimination. Potential employers are increasingly disinterested in investing time and energy into women when “she is going to leave me” eventually. The author, Yuki Noguchi, says “The number of pregnancy and maternity discrimination charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has steadily increased since the late 1990s.” In response to these increasing violations, President Obama is pushing Congress to support the “Paycheck Fairness Act”, which “is designed to make wage differences more apparent” and more thoroughly implement President Kennedy’s initial goal.

“In nation’s breadbasket, Latinos stuck in poverty”

Gosia Wozniacka
Yahoo News /AP – June 10, 2013

Fresno County demonstrates the large disparities in wealth and the lack of opportunities amongst citizens and non-American citizens. While Fresno County is one of the wealthiest agricultural areas in the world, Hispanic immigrants and their families rarely benefit from the region’s rich resources. Cristina Melendez’s life illustrates the many difficulties immigrants and their families face as Agricultural workers living in the United States. Cristina, like many others, hoped this kind of work “would be a springboard for a better life.” She is not currently an American citizen but has had ambitions of becoming one and actively contributing to her community and providing a better life for her children. However, her lack of access to healthcare, unemployment services, and government assistance has kept her down and prevented her from reaching these goals. A recent statistic shows “there are a record number of Hispanics living below the poverty line nationwide, and the number of Hispanic children in poverty exceeds that of any other racial or ethnic group.” This haunting statistic sheds light on the importance of creating a pathway to citizenship and more opportunities and resources for immigrants coming to the United States. Cristina’s life and story proves that the cycle continues, making it even more difficult for the generations of immigrants to move up the economic ladder and improve their lives.