Author: Erwin de Leon

Bio: Erwin de Leon is a Policy Researcher and writer based in Washington, DC. He writes on immigration, LGBT, and nonprofit issues. You can follow him on Twitter at @ErwindeLeon.

Contributions:

What’s Wrong with Using DHS’ Immigration Database to Purge Voter Rolls? (A Lot)

Posted on: 20 Jul 2012

While Republicans worry about non-citizens voting fraudulently in the Presidential election, many immigrant advocates contend the bigger problem is the large number of eligible immigrants who are not registered to vote.

De Leon: Many NGOs Neglect Queer Refugees

Posted on: 12 Jul 2012

Columnist Erwin De Leon writes about a survey conducted by the Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration and Indiana University revealing that NGOs worldwide often fail to adequately protect LGBTI refugees.

De Leon: If You Have the Opportunity and Means to Become a U.S. Citizen, Take It

Posted on: 06 Jul 2012

The Office of Immigration Statistics reports that last year 694,193 individuals became citizens. While that might seem like an impressive number, 8.1 million legal permanent residents were eligible to naturalize in 2010. Why didn’t more immigrants naturalize? Why do so many choose not to become U.S. citizens?

The Supreme Court Rulings and Their Effects on Immigrant Communities

Posted on: 29 Jun 2012

Commentary by Erwin de Leon on how this week’s Supreme Court rulings on health care and SB 1070 will impact immigrants.

Romney Presents Best Candidate for Latinos: Obama

Posted on: 26 Jun 2012

Fi2W commentator Erwin de Leon writes that Mitt Romney had nothing substantial to say in his speech to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Obama’s Immigration Reprieve: ‘The Right Thing To Do,’ But Not Good Enough

Posted on: 18 Jun 2012

Columnist Erwin De Leon writes that the new immigration policy for undocumented youth falls short because it lacks a path to citizenship.

De Leon: Evangelicals Are Polarizing the Immigrant Rights Movement

Posted on: 14 Jun 2012

As the Latino population grows in the evangelical church, many Christian groups are embracing immigration reform. But their stance on LGBT issues makes some partners in the national immigrant rights movement uncomfortable.

De Leon: Rocking the Boat, and the Vote, for a Dream

Posted on: 08 Jun 2012

President Obama holds the power to realize the ultimate dreams of undocumented youth—but he’s choosing not to wield it.

De Leon: President Romney’s ‘Día Uno’ Campaign Won’t Earn Him Latino Votes

Posted on: 01 Jun 2012

With his slate of new Spanish language ads targeting Latino Voters, Mitt Romney talks about education and the economy–but totally skirts the controversial topic of immigration.

De Leon: Immigrants Deserve an Expanded Violence Against Women Act

Posted on: 29 May 2012

A bill to protect the victims of domestic violence is stalled in Congress due to partisan bickering. The Senate bill aims to expand protections for abused immigrants and Native Americans, while the House bill aims to roll them back.