Combating Immigration Laws With Quinceañeras In Trump's America
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Combating Immigration Laws With Quinceañeras In Trump's America

Using culture as unification.

7
Combating Immigration Laws With Quinceañeras In Trump's America
Cristina Tzintzun / Twitter

The protests against Trump’s America are far from over.

On July 19th, 2017, 15 young women were on the steps of the Texas State Capitol in Austin, each dressed in traditional, colorful quinceañera gowns. Each gown was adorned with a ribbon; rather than being printed with celebratory exclamations, they read “Equality,” “Accountability,” and the like. Their dresses were not worn for birthdays, but to demonstrate against the immigration enforcement law set to go into effect on September 1st.

The law, which is currently Senate Bill 4, permits “Texas law enforcement officers to request proof of legal residency during any routine detention – for example, a traffic stop.” Under what is commonly referred to as the “show-me-your-papers” law, Texas police officers are equated with immigration officers. In gaining this power, they are no longer under the absolute purview of local government. The law also bans sanctuary cities, demanding that state governments follow federal immigration laws.

Furthermore, the law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott is not the only controversial law he’s supported. Abbott has also been associated with the “bathroom bill” intended to crack down on rights for the transgender community. Supported by far-right conservatives, Abbott’s agenda places San Antonio residents at the brink of drastic change.

For the children of immigrants and immigrants themselves, SB4 is horrifying. It nullifies the priority list for deportations that had placed criminals at the top and instead makes any undocumented immigrant a priority. It threatens the possibility of racial profiling amongst police officers, and increasingly strained relationships between officers and their communities.

Jolt Texas is an activist group in Texas, centered around building the political influence of Latinos in government. Their aim is to use Latino culture to unite families and communities and to combat unjust legislation. They co-organized the protest. Founder Cristina Tzintzun commented “we want legislators to know and Trump to know that we won’t sit idly by while legislation of hate is passed.”

The participating young women performed a choreographed dance to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done),” and “Somos Mas Americanos,” by Los Tigres del Norte. They gave empowering speeches and entered the capitol to speak with legislators.

It is chilling to hear the women declaring: “We are brown and beautiful. And we won’t back down. Because we are Texas.” Seventeen-year-old Magdalena Juarez states, “This is our home, and we will not be disrespected in our own home.” They voice the concerns of immigrants everywhere, undocumented or not, who deserve the equal respect and opportunity of any American citizen. These girls embody an era of resistance that is much-needed, and unlikely to end.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59220
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38287
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959739
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

197109
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments