Victimization of workers: As described in the CIOP News story below, immigrant workers are at risk for not receiving their paychecks for work actually done. A related New York Times story of Sunday, June 13, 2006 "Dollars and Dream: Immigrants as Prey" describes this issue in depth.

Lack of access to banking services and homeownership: CIOP is working with immigrant families in Beardstown, IL. Beardstown is a river town about 45 minutes west of Springfield, IL and is the site of a major meat packing plant. Immigrant workers are central to the economic health and vitality of the community. Unfortunately Central Illinois banks can't yet figure out that families with good jobs can also be good credit risks for homeownership. (Note: Immigrant families in Chicago and various banking institutions, including Illinois Housing Development Agency, do provide financing for homeownership.)

As CIOP believes in the power of people, the natural place to start when organizing is - with people. It would be false to say, however, that CIOP is just starting to organize around issues concerning immigrant rights. I can't forget the e-mail from Don Carlson titled, 'Hampton Inn VICTORY!' It was sent out after workers received their backwages from a local hotel that had been profiting from their labor. Those wages came after much hard work by local leaders in documenting the lack of pay, meetings with hotel officials, and two peaceful demonstrations in the hotel's lobby.

However, CIOP's organizing around immigrant rights cannot stop after one victory. Currently we are conducting interviews with people of the Bloomington-Normal community. With these interviews we hope to find out what challenges can be seen in the immigrant community, what changes are hoped for, and what evidence would show that these changes have been made.

So maybe it would be more accurate to say that CIOP is starting a new phase in organizing around immigrant rights. To begin this new phase, we are starting with the people. If you would like to become involved in this project, contact us and add to the power of the people. - by Clarissa Kastner

Bloomington-Normal, IL - Your job is hotel-housekeeping at $2.50 per room, 8 hours a day and your boss decides to not pay you, and then files bankruptcy. The hotel says its not their responsibility. Your rent and utilities are due and your kids need to eat. What do you do? You pray and organize.

This was the situation facing over a dozen immigrant families working at two motels in Bloomington and Normal. When they complained they were told they'd be reported to the Feds.

Through the work of CIOP Leader Cristina Deutsch (Hispanic Outreach) the workers and CIOP supporters strategized together. When negotiations were not successful with the hotel management, CIOP initiated a peaceful witness at the hotel to raise the issue in the public arena and share the urgency of the family's plight with the owner. After a committment from the hotel to pay back wages, CIOP received a letter from their attorney stating no such agreement had been made, and all future communications would be through him.

Soon after, twice the number of CIOP members showed back up at the hotel, joined by students, clergy, teachers, farmers, union members, a worker's families. Obviously the issue wasn't going away.

Ultimately, not only did this hotel pay the wages, but so too did yet another for the workers of the same cleaning company.

Beardstown, IL - Many immigrant families live in fear in this small Illinois river town as a result of the actions of our Federal government. Earlier in April, 2007 the federal government raided a cleaning company working overnight at the local meat packing plant. Many of those arrested remain in detention centers.

CIOP has learned that one of those arrested, and now disappeared within the federal justice system, is a young high school girl on the honor role working at night to help her family make ends meet...A high school honor role student...

Local churches and groups are currently collecting food and clothing, but especially food for many families fearful of even venturing to the grocery store.

CIOP leaders are very concerned about this situation and are working within the community to restore peace and justice.

Immigrant families are organizing in Beardstown, IL to create their own community group. Some of the issues they've identified include access to home purchase financing, local transportation and health care issues.

At least in Bloomington-Normal, CIOP is batting 1000% in defending immigrant workers rights in obtaining wages owed. CIOP applauds those local businesses that after recognizing the injustice, have been open to resolving these issues for the tangible benefit of the families.