Rodrigo Pimentel is a political analyst, editorial writer and activist specializing in United States immigration policy. He is a "Dreamer", affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA).
Personal life, education and career edit
Pimentel grew up in East Providence, Rhode Island after coming to the United States with his parents at ten months of age. Pimentel graduated from East Providence High School[1] where he served as President of the Young Democrats club.[2]
Pimentel is currently working for the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University.[3]
Editorials edit
Pimentel has written editorials for several news agencies, most prominently Al-Jazeera,[4] The Guardian[5] and The Providence Journal.[6]
Pimentel's commentary is usually regarding immigration policy and Dreamers and is often critical of the Trump Administration for ending DACA[4] and Congress for its lack of action to protect Dreamers.[6]
Activism edit
Immigration policy edit
Pimentel's main policy focus is US immigration reform. Pimentel has rallied other Dreamers both in his native Rhode Island and in Washington, D.C.[7][8] to push for a permanent fix for DACA recipients.[9]
On a national level, Pimentel has been critical of the Trump Administration's positions on immigration and ending the DACA program.[7][10][11] Pimentel has also been critical of congressional inaction on the issue of Dreamers.[12][13] Pimentel has advocated for Dreamers both with his local congressional delegation[14] and leaders in Washington D.C.[15]
In Rhode Island, Pimentel has lobbied both the Governor of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island General Assembly for legislation granting undocumented immigrants driver's licenses.[16] While Pimentel's efforts have been unsuccessful to-date, Rhode Island did pass a law to continue issuing driver's licenses and other protections offered under DACA to current recipients regardless of future federal policy.[17][18] Due to his extensive work on the issue,[19] he was asked to introduce Governor Gina Raimondo at the bill signing.[20][21] Pimentel was also cited as one of Rhode Island's politically 'Hot' individuals by news site GoLocalProv.[22]
Other issues edit
While attending East Providence High School, Pimentel advocated against high stakes standardized testing in schools, particularly the PARCC test in Rhode Island, encouraging parents to 'opt out' their students.[23]
In late 2015, controversial 'dancing cop' Tony Lepore had been scheduled to perform during the holidays in East Providence, Rhode Island, Pimentel's home town. Lepore had been removed from his long standing job directing traffic in Providence, Rhode Island after a series of events leading to racial tensions in the city. Pimentel organized and led protests along with Black Lives Matter and other local civil rights figures which successfully forced Lepore to withdraw.[24]
References edit
- ^ Rodericks, Bob. "131st EPHS Graduation". East Providence Reporter. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ^ Rodericks, Bob. "RI Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea visits EPHS". East Providence Reporter. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ^ "LPI @ RWU on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Pimentel, Rodrigo. "I'm a DACA recipient and this is what will happen to me". Al Jazeera. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ^ Pimentel, Rodrigo. "I was a baby when I came to America without papers. Will Trump kick me out?". The Guardian. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Pimentel, Rodrigo. "My Turn: Rodrigo Pimentel: Most of R.I. delegation wilts under pressure". providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Ghosh, Nirmal (September 8, 2017). "Flurry of lawsuits after repeal of law protecting Dreamers". The Straits Times. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Borg, Linda. "Rhode Island 'Dreamers' apply to renew status". providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Da Silva, Lurdes C. "Fighting for the 'Dreamers:' East Providence Dreamer pushing for DACA fix". providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Borg, Linda. "RI 'Dreamers' now face a twilight of uncertainty". providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Borg, Linda. "Rhode Island 'Dreamers' apply to renew status". providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ "Local dreamer reacts to DACA discussions on Capitol Hill". Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ "Local 'Dreamer' concerned after budget deal struck". Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ "WhitehouseforSenate on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ "Rep. Carlos Curbelo on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Pimentel, Rodrigo. "Rodrigo Pimentel: Help thousands who live in fear". providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Anderson, Patrick. "R.I. House panel OKs bill to preserve driver's licenses for 'Dreamers'". providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Ortiz, Gabe. "Undeterred by congressional inaction, immigrant youth pushing for victories at the state level". Daily Kos. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ "FWD.us on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Reynolds, Mark. "Governor signs bill giving Dreamers right to driver's licenses in R.I." providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ RI.gov. "RIGOV". www.ri.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Fenton, Josh. "GoLocalProv | Politics | Side of the Rhode: Who's Hot and Who's Not? - June 22, 2018". GoLocalProv. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ Borg, Linda. "PARCC exam in R.I.: Both sides opt in to debate on opting out". providencejournal.com. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ "Dancing Cops' white Christmas dreams dashed in East Providence". www.rifuture.org. Retrieved June 26, 2018.