Last week, PICC members and youth leaders across the state joined the National Day of Action to Defend DACA, TPS, and DED. They also joined the efforts to advocate for legislation that if passed will protect frontline working families under the current pandemic. As part of the day of action, PICC held 3 community spaces so people could learn more about the issues, practice their calls, and share their experiences.

If you were not able to attend on Thursday, you can still call your elected officials and tell them to support the Dream and Promise Act & The HEROES Act!

From immigrants mixed status families on the verge of separation due to the ending of protection programs like DACA, TPS, an DED, to the millions of immigrant families in economic hardship due to being excluded from previous COVID-19 relief, our communities demand that elected officials #StandWithImmigrants, ensure #Recovery4All, and promote health for all! #WeAreEssential

Call your representatives today! Find your Representative - Find your Senator

The Driving PA Forward Coalition is a statewide coalition composed of advocacy, faith, businesses, farmers, labor and community organizations that work together in support of passage of legislation regarding accessibility of a standard driver’s license with strict privacy and data protections for all Pennsylvanians regardless of immigration status. 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.

THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL:
1. Provide safety to all drivers in Pennsylvania by ensuring that all drivers have passed the driving examination and are licensed to drive, regardless of immigration status
2. Protect the privacy of all residents of Pennsylvania who have driver licenses
3. Stimulate the economy in Pennsylvania by expanding drivers eligible to purchase car insurance
4. Provide valid identification to everyone
5. Allow all drivers to have proof of insurance and registration
6. Enhance knowledge of the rules & responsibilities of the road for every driver

The Driving PA Forward Coalition's goal is to have 1500 signatures before September 15th. Please sign, encourage family and friends to sign, and share widely!

This year is a critical election! Not only will we be choosing the next President, but we will be choosing other critical offices such as US Representatives to Congress, State Representatives and Senators, and State Attorney General. Our state representatives will decide on key issues for immigrant communities such as access to driver's licenses for all and tuition equity.

Are you ready?

1. Register to Vote by Oct. 19, 2020

The first step is making sure you are registered to vote. All eligible residents of PA can register online (the application is available in English and Spanish by choosing the language on screen). If you have moved recently, check your registration and update with your current address.

2. Request your Mail-In Ballot by Oct. 27, 2020

Stay safe and healthy by voting from home! All registered voters in PA can request a mail-in ballot this year (the application is available in English and Spanish by choosing the language on screen).

3. Return your ballot by Nov. 3, 2020

Your completed ballot must be RECEIVED by the county board of election by 8:00pm, Tuesday Nov. 3, 2020. This means you should mail the ballot early or drop it off in person at your county election office.

If you include an email address you will receive email updates on the status of your application and ballot. You can also check the status online.

4. Vote in-person on Nov. 3, 2020

If you want to vote in-person, polls will be open 7:00am-8:00pm on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. Polling locations are likely to change this year, so make sure to check for your polling location before you leave the house on Election Day!

For more information and resources on PA elections: www.votespa.com.

Resource Director. This is a senior level position, and will be focused on helping PICC answer the question: How do we build the organizational capacity and infrastructure of our movement so that immigrant communities can access the services they need and have powerful vehicles for creating systemic and structural change? The Resource Director will lead the work of developing and implementing a movement-oriented fundraising and capacity building strategy that includes ensuring PICC’s sustainability, leadership development, organizational capacity building, and expanding the resources available to community-led immigrant rights work in Pennsylvania. Applications due August 31, 2020. Read the full job listing and application instructions.

Part-Time Bookkeeper/Administrative Support. This person will be responsible for performing basic internal bookkeeping and administrative duties. This is a part-time (20-hours per week) position with flexible scheduling available. This position is based in Philadelphia and will require working from the office 1-2 days per week. PICC follows all public health guidelines to ensure the health and safety of employees. Please complete the online application at: https://bit.ly/PICC-bookkeeper.

Please Donate to PICC!

PICC depends upon your support. Please donate to PICC today to support our advocacy and organizing work to mobilize the immigrant vote, build immigrant leaders, campaign for pro-immigrant policies at the local, state and federal levels, and support the effective implementation of pro-immigrant public policies.