SER National Statement on Supreme Court DACA Ruling

by Raul Santa | Jun 18, 2020 | News & Updates

SER National Statement on Supreme Court DACA Ruling

Our nation started out this week with something different for 2020 – good news.

A cumulative sigh of relief can be heard from 700,000 young immigrants given a reprieve by the Supreme Court today. SER National celebrates the Supreme Court’s decision to block the Trump administration from immediately proceeding with its plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We recognize that this ruling provides only a temporary protection, but every step forward provides hope.

DACA protects hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, young people brought to the United States as children, by shielding them from deportation and allowing them to work. The DACA program does not currently provide a pathway to citizenship.

DACA-eligible immigrants are working and contributing their time, talent and treasure to the U.S. Let’s also remember they are paying approximately $2 billion each year in state and local taxes.

SER’s vision is “to enable the Hispanic community and other underserved populations, to fully participate in the socio-economic mainstream, achieving equal access and parity in all aspects of American society.” We see each person as a valuable creation with endless capabilities. Because they are.

SER has served Dreamers throughout the past decade, especially through student education programs. We’ve seen them learn, grow and contribute to America, despite the hateful actions and words of many of our citizens. We recognize and greatly appreciate the value they bring to the U.S. along with an undeniable sense of patriotism for this great nation. Many even join the U.S. military, willing to risk their lives for a country that devalues them as individuals and contributors to society.

Please join SER in keeping the American dream alive for young immigrants by encouraging instead of blocking the contributions they already offer our society. May we as a nation operate with humanity at the forefront.

Ignacio Salazar
President and CEO
SER Job for Progress National, Inc.

SER National Statement – Supreme Court Ruling

by Raul Santa | Jun 17, 2020 | News & Updates

SER National Statement

Supreme Court Ruling

Our nation started out this week with something different for 2020 – good news.The Supreme Court has affirmed that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects the LGBTQ+ community. The ruling was written by one of the court’s most conservative judges and passed 6 to 3. Opposite sides of the political spectrum confirmed that yes, our current laws do indeed protect gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination including being fired, disciplined, or turned down from a job based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.

SER National celebrates this ruling based on humanity, justice and truth. Just what we need right now.

SER National’s vision is “to enable the Hispanic community and other underserved populations, to fully participate in the socio-economic mainstream, achieving equal access and parity in all aspects of American society.” We have been doing the work for decades because we believe that nothing is more valuable in the U.S. than its people – all of its people.

The lights have been turned up on the U.S., acknowledging the real landscape of inequity and injustice. But the harsh truth has driven diverse people with different perspectives to come together and say, this hatred and division and inequality is not who we want to be anymore. We will stand up for who have been maligned and unprotected so that we all have a place at the table.Something is happening.

Something is stirring in the minds and hearts of Americans from all walks of life. I believe there is still hope for our country to right our wrongs and truly embrace freedom for all. Let us rejoice in this landmark ruling finally bringing basic civil rights to our LGBTQ+ friends.

Let us celebrate and hold on to the hope it inspires. And let us stand alongside one another and do the hard work to bring more good news to 2020.

Ignacio Salazar
President and CEO
SER Job for Progress National, Inc.

Commitment to Racial Justice

by Raul Santa | Jun 5, 2020 | News & Updates

In response to the incessant plague of racism and social injustice in our country, SER National shouts to the world that Black Lives Matter. George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor matter. To our African American employees, clients, friends, neighbors and allies – SER is listening. We are watching. We have seen the injustices you have had to bear for far too long.

SER condemns all forms of racism with more than our words. We commit to do our part in fixing what is broken and speaking for those that have been silenced. SER’s vision is “to enable the Hispanic community and other underserved populations, to fully participate in the socio-economic mainstream, achieving equal access and parity in all aspects of American society.” We strive for equality, fight on behalf of the minority populations in this country, and empower them to be their best selves. And yet, racial injustice remains.

We know there is still much for us to learn. SER commits to serving and meeting the needs of the underserved, and we pledge to listen and learn from populations that are treated with anything less than dignity. We will use our combined pain, sorrow, fear and righteous rage for true action that supports and honors the undeniable value of the Black community.

Our nation’s pledge boldly makes the claim that we are one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. It’s time we held ourselves and our leaders to this standard.

At SER, we raise our voice to join yours as one unified community. We will not be silent and will not rest until this country can not only say but live out the truth that Black Lives Matter.

Ignacio Salazar
President and CEO
SER Job for Progress National, Inc.