tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-739008748427400002024-03-12T23:44:29.052-07:00Immigration Justice at Central Baptist ChurchUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-35464241950674839192011-09-20T13:05:00.000-07:002011-09-20T13:10:25.705-07:00Are you reading this??? Let us know.Lovers of Immigration Justice -- Many folks these days get their news and events updates from Facebook. So it is just possible that this blog has become passe, except in the case of immediate events and CBC updates. So please, if you want the blog to continue with national and international news, as well as commentary, please let us know by posting a comment.Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-78733296070317950862011-09-17T10:10:00.000-07:002011-09-17T10:25:09.690-07:00Confusion over Secure Communities -- No Kidding!!A task force assigned with advising the Obama administration on deportation programs has criticized immigration officials for confusion over Secure Communities, saying that it does not achieve its intended goal of identifying and deporting dangerous criminals and that states and cities have not been clearly informed on imperatives in the program. The task force -- including law enforcement personnel, immigration advocates,and homeland security officials -- is suggesting that ICE "start over." Read an article in the <span style="font-style: italic;">NYTimes</span>:<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/us/politics/deportation-program-draws-more-criticism.html?ref=juliapreston"> http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/16/us/politics/deportation-program-draws-more-criticism.html?ref=juliapreston</a>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-6607833225729294212011-09-09T13:44:00.000-07:002011-09-09T14:20:09.684-07:00Dreamers--You are the Students we have been Looking ForThis morning Isabel Castillo, nationally known advocate for the Dream Act, was scheduled to speak at Eastern University. But on Tuesday she was arrested after a Dream Act rally in North Carolina and, therefore, could not appear. She had not been scheduled for civil disobedience that day because of a previous arrest in Senator Reid's office (she is brave but not cavalier) and because of her obligation to the students at Eastern. Nonetheless, the police in Charlottesville became overly zealous and grabbed persons on the sidelines.<div><br /></div><div>Isabel has now been released. She will return to the University at a later date. The two persons who filled in for her, Jorge Salazar and Maria Fernanda Marroquin, did a splendid job. </div><div><br /></div><div>But as I sat in the audience this morning, the whole irony of this event struck me. I have been a college professor and academic dean for 43 years of my life, and I have sat through countless faculty meetings where we strategized to build a more interestingly diverse student body and to recruit more engaged students (you know, an antidote to the back row who wear their ball caps backwards and dare you to say something interesting), all the while dealing with the fact that the number of college age students is declining. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why then are we as a nation creating barriers to the matriculation of Dream Act students and increasing their financial burdens?!</div><div><br /></div><div>These students know the value of a college education, literally, from the ground up. They are good citizens, which is the only path to citizenship. They have excelled in high school and are often fluently bi-lingual, a condition which we covet for all students forced to live in a global environment. They are not afraid of hard work, are politically savvy, and know that justice is far more than a seven letter word.</div><div><br /><div><b>In short, these are the students we have been looking for!</b></div><div><b> </b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Some colleges and universities are recognizing this and are admitting Dreamers, with financial aid, in small numbers. But, of course, they must do this in secret to ward off donor and constituent discontent. Won't it be splendid when academic institutions, commissioned to pass on the best values of the culture, can come out of the shadows and claim their own virtue!!!!</div>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-90167166986475980962011-09-01T18:17:00.000-07:002011-09-01T18:25:52.773-07:00California Set to Pass its own Dream ActCalifornia is poised to pass a law that would give state financial aid for college to illegal immigrants. This would not grant undocumented students a clear path toward citizenship, but it would grant them more educational benefits than any other state. The bill would be known as the California Dream Act. Read the <span style="font-style: italic;">NYTimes</span> article: http:/<a href="http:///www.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/us/politics/01dream.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=California,%20Dream%20Act&st=cse">/www.nytimes.com/2011/09/01/us/politics/01dream.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=California,%20Dream%20Act&st=cse</a>.
<br />Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-16211575282887870452011-08-21T07:33:00.000-07:002011-08-21T07:51:45.955-07:00Britain Needs a Dream Act. . . and More!!An article in the <i>New York Times</i> on Sunday, August 21, tells the agonizing story of a young man brought to Britain from Angola as a child by his father who was seeking political asylum. When his father's petition was refused, he hanged himself while in detention, knowing that British law would not allow an orphan to be deported if there were no relatives to receive him in his country of origin. Church people took in the young man and cared for him. But now, at age 19, under changing law, he is about to be deported, rather than receiving citizenship as expected. He has no criminal record and has been doing well in school, preparing to be an engineer. What makes the situation even more tragic is that 7 out of 11 British detention centers are outsourced to private contractors who, in this case, ignored signs of the father's depression and imminent suicide. Read the article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/world/europe/21antonio.html?_r=1&hp">www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/world/europe/21antonio.html?_r=1&hp</a>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-72631336183356013552011-08-19T09:10:00.000-07:002011-08-19T09:23:41.374-07:00Good News From WashingtonPresident Obama announced on Thursday that his administration "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">would suspend deportation proceedings against many illegal immigrants who pose no threat to national security or public safety." This is, in effect, a case-by-case enactment of the Dream Act, meaning relief for "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">young people who are in the country illegally but pose no threat,"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; "> as well as assisting persons facing deportation on the basis of minor traffic violations. In addition, the policy would "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">help illegal immigrants with family members in the United States," including "partners of lesbian, gay and bisexual people." It is expected that "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">the government will review 300,000 cases of people in deportation proceedings to identify those who might qualify for relief." Read the article: </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/us/19immig.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Dream%20Act&st=cse">www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/us/19immig.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Dream%20Act&st=cse</a>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-29911133399072330982011-08-17T13:34:00.000-07:002011-08-17T13:51:09.454-07:00Pushback Against Immigration LawsTwo recent articles in the New York Times report that both religious and political leaders are pushing back against draconian immigration policies. <div>
<br /></div><div>In response to the recent declaration that agreements between ICE and local law enforcement are null and void because <b>no agreement is necessary,</b> Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has gone on record as saying, "Secure communities is negatively impacting public safety." Police Commissioner Edward Davis has joined him in his opposition. Read the article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/us/politics/13secure.html?scp=1&sq=Resistance%20Widens%20to%20Obama%20Initiative&st=cse">www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/us/politics/13secure.html?scp=1&sq=Resistance%20Widens%20to%20Obama%20Initiative&st=cse</a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>In Alabama, an Episcopal Bishop, a Methodist Bishop, and a Roman Catholic Archbishop have openly declared that immigration enforcement in Alabama "makes it a crime to follow God's command to be Good Samaritans." They are both suing the state and vowing to break the law if necessary. Read the article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/us/14immig.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Alabama%20Law%20Criminalizes%20Samaritans&st=cse">www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/us/14immig.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Alabama%20Law%20Criminalizes%20Samaritans&st=cse</a></div><div>
<br /></div>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-9374790903366653402011-08-16T08:27:00.000-07:002011-08-16T08:27:24.296-07:00Immigrants and Allies March in Philadelphia<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><b>Walk A Mile in Our Shoes: Immigrants and Allies March Through Center City Philadelphia</b></span></u></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span><br />
</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>When: </span></b><span>Wednesday 24th of August, 3 to 5 pm <sup><br />
</sup></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Where: </span></b><span>Meet in Love Park at the LOVE statue at 3 pm</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Immigrants and allies will march together through Center City to show that we are united in our struggle to make Philadelphia a more just and welcoming city for immigrants. We ask our city officials to walk a mile in our shoes, to understand the immigrant experience, and to stop unjust deportations and the separation of hard-working families and communities!</span> We will march from Love Park to the Liberty Bell, returning to City Hall by 5pm. Using the model of the Via Crusis / Stations of the Cross, we will be making stops along the way to reflect with testimonies, songs, and prayers on the suffering of immigrants in Philadelphia. </span>See complete route map below. For more information, email <a href="mailto:nsmphiladelphia@gmail.com" target="_blank">nsmphiladelphia@gmail.com</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=209543484228288814215.0004aa4ffff7eac527b4d&ie=UTF8&ll=39.957517,-75.157471&spn=0.0088,0.01929&vpsrc=6&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=209543484228288814215.0004aa4ffff7eac527b4d&ie=UTF8&ll=39.957517,-75.157471&spn=0.0088,0.01929&vpsrc=6&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Walk A Mile In Our Shoes March Route</a> in a larger map</small><br />
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</div></div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-18575754592694880592011-08-07T13:03:00.000-07:002011-08-07T13:12:41.364-07:00Secure Communities is not a Matter of ChoiceAn article in the <i>New York Times</i> on Saturday, reported that the federal government has attempted to reduce confusion about Secure Communities by dropping agreements between local police forces and ICE, relying instead on FBI records. This means that individual jurisdictions may NOT drop out of the program. Read the whole article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/06/us/06immig.html?scp=1&sq=Secure%20Communities&st=cse">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/06/us/06immig.html?scp=1&sq=Secure%20Communities&st=cse </a>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-80287488468572996972011-08-07T13:00:00.000-07:002011-08-07T13:06:18.381-07:00Pennsylvania Compact<strong>A DECLARATION OF FIVE PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE PENNSYLVANIA’S IMMIGRATION DISCUSSION AND POLICY MAKING</strong><br /><br /><strong>FEDERAL SOLUTIONS</strong> Immigration is a federal policy issue between the U.S. government and other countries—not Pennsylvania and other countries. We urge Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to ensure smart and effective enforcement of federal laws that protect our national borders. We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing immigrants in Pennsylvania.<br /><br /><strong>LAW ENFORCEMENT</strong> We respect the rule of law and support law enforcement’s professional judgment and discretion. Local law enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code.<br /><br /><strong>FAMILIES</strong> Strong families are the foundation of successful communities. We oppose policies that unnecessarily separate families. We champion policies that support families and improve the health, education and well-being of all Pennsylvania residents.<br /><br /><strong>ECONOMY</strong> Pennsylvania is best served by a well balanced free market that maximizes individual freedom and opportunity. We acknowledge the economic role immigrants play as workers and taxpayers. Pennsylvania has the third oldest population in the nation and many young immigrant families have replenished our workforce and have acted as caretakers for our elderly and children. Pennsylvania’s immigration policies must be fair and friendly both to businesses and workers who choose to establish themselves here, in order to strengthen our economic role nationally and globally.<br /><br /><strong>A FREE AND WELCOMING SOCIETY</strong> The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has attracted diverse groups of people from many nations and various walks of life, all seeking liberty and prosperity. It was in this spirit that the United States of America was founded – in Pennsylvania. We must adopt a humane approach to this reality, reflecting our unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion—as envisioned by our founder William Penn. The way that we treat newcomers sends a message about our state to the rest of the world.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pacompact.com/">Pennsylvania Compact</a>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09280336775282644743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-37181923949526877952011-07-28T12:03:00.000-07:002011-07-28T12:03:27.598-07:00Reality Check - How long do immigrant families wait in line?Let's say you're an immigrant who has successfully become a U.S. Citizen and you want to sponsor your unmarried, adult son or daughter to come to the U.S. Good news --You fall into the FIRST PREFERENCE category for one of the 226,000 family-sponsored visas available annually under the Immigration and Nationality Act! <br />
<br />
Bad news -- So what does that really mean? If you're from Mexico, it will be about an 18 year long wait. From the Phillipines, 15 years. Other countries, maybe 7 years.<br />
<br />
Check out this article and the accompanying graphic for a breakdown of the current wait times for family-sponsored visas and employment-based visas. <i><br />
</i><br />
<br />
<i>It’s no secret that applying for residence in the United States can be a complicated process. Even when all the paperwork is in, there’s still a long wait involved, a wait that is determined by a complicated equation that balances the demand and supply of employment and family-unification visas the U.S. grants. As a result, some applicants have been waiting in line for more than 10 years, others for more than 20 years, according to the State Department’s most recent count.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Read entire article at </i><a href="http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/07/visa.html">http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/07/visa.html</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcdrxrTWjB4iEHM8F69Su-Np_w8gip9wPsh8FBA7UuLaGGMyNrmV_H7BgBLfCocgTjDmH1aB-CCf4RnyW-YR-_YNO37TCpAiIg3V2EZ6gBkkch92WT4A-pGEmq7BbAjozF8P0oZGQ698/s1600/visa_infographic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcdrxrTWjB4iEHM8F69Su-Np_w8gip9wPsh8FBA7UuLaGGMyNrmV_H7BgBLfCocgTjDmH1aB-CCf4RnyW-YR-_YNO37TCpAiIg3V2EZ6gBkkch92WT4A-pGEmq7BbAjozF8P0oZGQ698/s1600/visa_infographic2.jpg" /></a></div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-62227259169582393252011-07-08T07:03:00.000-07:002011-07-08T07:03:01.924-07:00Sowing Seeds of Justice in Philadelphia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuvRVTs14W4o0fjCSu9Yg2Fzn_6vkV66kAkPsq89Wc4DvyxDYWFW2k6k9JERyauCvmQnzG-x18QQ8ErmZgvL3nvYfsxY8VYicK6tMXMHfFku8oysxAR4XzXMNL96x9-2VRJYO4Tim0Mo/s1600/MH900289996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuvRVTs14W4o0fjCSu9Yg2Fzn_6vkV66kAkPsq89Wc4DvyxDYWFW2k6k9JERyauCvmQnzG-x18QQ8ErmZgvL3nvYfsxY8VYicK6tMXMHfFku8oysxAR4XzXMNL96x9-2VRJYO4Tim0Mo/s200/MH900289996.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>Sowing Seeds of Hope and Justice for Immigrants</u></span></span></b></span></span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A Prayerful Gathering at City Hall on 15<sup>th</sup> Street on Tuesday, July 12<sup>th</sup>, from 4pm to 4:30pm, <span style="font-style: normal;">followed by brief visits to offices of the Mayor and District Attorney</span></b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Inch by inch. Row by row. Gonna make this garden grow! </span></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All it takes is a rake and a hoe, and a piece of fertile ground.<br />
Inch by inch. Row by row. Someone bless these seeds I sow! </span></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Someone keep them safe below, until the rains come tumbling down.</span></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"></div><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">On June 29</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">, a small group from the New Sanctuary Movement hand delivered the <u>first</u> set of our collection of hand-written letters addressed to the mayor and the district attorney, urging the end of collaboration between Philadelphia police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Although we did not meet with Mayor Nutter and District Attorney Williams personally, we left the letters at their offices along with a message that we would be back with more! </span></span></span></div><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span> </div><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"></div><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">On Tuesday, July 12</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;">, we're planning a <u>second</u> larger, more public delivery with our NSM congregations and members. We'll gather at 4pm outside City Hall (15</span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"> Street side) for brief reflections and prayers led by some of our NSM congregations before walking together to deliver letters at the mayor's and DA's offices. We'll distribute the letters we have collected along with seeds for each participant to carry in our procession as a prayerful action symbolizing our work together to cultivate a city of hope and justice for immigrants. </span></span></span> </div><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><ul><li><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Wear your NSM t-shirt for this event! </b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If you still need to buy one, you can purchase t-shirts on-line at <a href="http://www.sanctuaryphiladelphia.org/" target="_blank">www.sanctuaryphiladelphia.org.</a></span></span></span></span> </li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Bring garden tools (rake, hoe, shovel, watering can) to carry in the procession!</b> We want to show Philadelphia we're counting on a harvest of justice.<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b> </b></span></span></span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>Bring your personal letters for the District Attorney and the Mayor on July 12</b></span></span><sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>th</b></span></span></sup></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b> if you haven't already turned those in. </b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">For more information about the letter writing campaign and how you can participate, email NSM at <a href="mailto:nsmintern@gmail.com" target="_blank">nsmintern@gmail.com</a>.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-46066925523042668432011-06-29T14:59:00.000-07:002011-06-29T14:59:05.208-07:00Infographic: The Costs of E-Verify<a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/06/e_verify_infographic.html">http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/06/e_verify_infographic.html</a><br />
From the Center for American Progress -- A great summary of costs of the E-Verify program, the government’s Internet-based work authorization system. The graphic highlights the system’s known costs, such as lost tax revenue and monetary burdens on small businesses, and estimates the costs of additional fiscal burdens—to individuals verified through the system, to employers utilizing the system, and to the federal government in running the system—absent from much of the dialogue. E-Verify expands the size of government while decreasing revenue, places a crushing burden on small businesses, and imposes a “jobs tax” on ordinary Americans.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdvbOH86wsKYVwChA5EZQhoVbgArkIx_7KMzotkPaz2uNtqtCNuj1ZLtqtHOZCflcrUeNXD3xDMTdFfhGwHqP_7IhM1zJNFbHpnhkVUZhP5xzNQkyMPcshgUu1mxcoqQCimr-Ucfiwkk/s1600/e_verify_infographic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdvbOH86wsKYVwChA5EZQhoVbgArkIx_7KMzotkPaz2uNtqtCNuj1ZLtqtHOZCflcrUeNXD3xDMTdFfhGwHqP_7IhM1zJNFbHpnhkVUZhP5xzNQkyMPcshgUu1mxcoqQCimr-Ucfiwkk/s400/e_verify_infographic.jpg" width="361" /></a></div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-90151738054171504342011-06-25T14:49:00.000-07:002011-06-26T06:12:29.624-07:00Coming Out of the Immigration "Closet"A successful young journalist reveals that, in addition to being gay, he is an undocumented immigrant. This article in the <i>NYTimes Sunday Magazine</i> is his public "coming out." His well-placed supporters will most likely be able to help him negotiate a path toward legal status; nonetheless, this was a brave act. And one hopes that he will continue to advocate for passage of the Dream Act that can help other dreamers like himself. <div><br /></div><div>Read the article: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-an-undocumented-immigrant.html?_r=1&ref=magazine">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/magazine/my-life-as-an-undocumented-immigrant.html?_r=1&ref=magazine</a></div>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-2966238631967760502011-06-18T11:48:00.000-07:002011-06-18T11:49:58.471-07:00Freedom From Fear AwardFreedom From Fear Award Commends 15 “<a href="http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2011/06/freedom-from-fear-awards-to-15-ordinary-people.html">Ordinary People</a>” for Extraordinary Acts of Courage on Behalf of Immigrants and Refugees<br /><br />Four students from Philadelphia will receive a Freedom of Fear award for organizing against the violence at South Philadelphia High School where many immigrant students were harassed and terrorized. By standing up for their human right for a safe and non-violent place to learn, they brought the community and the Philadelphia School District to account.<br /><br />Other awardees include several Dream Activists, the founders of No More Deaths, and the former Phoenix police chiefKatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09280336775282644743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-74386123488200580692011-06-09T12:22:00.000-07:002011-06-09T12:26:02.678-07:00Another State Tries to Opt Out of Secure CommunitiesMassachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick follows the lead of Illinois and New York governors in choosing not to participate in Secure Communities, because the program is not “accomplishing its goal of deporting immigrants who were convicted of serious crimes.” In fact, it may have the opposite effect, it “may deter the reporting of criminal activity.”<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/us/politics/07immig.html?ref=opinion">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/us/politics/07immig.html?ref=opinion</a><br /><br />It is uncertain, if the state can even opt out of the program. “States like New York signed contracts with the Department of Homeland Security to enter Secure Communities, and now the administration insists that they must participate.” The need for real immigration reform is evident. <br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/opinion/08wed1.html?_r=1&emc=eta1">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/opinion/08wed1.html?_r=1&emc=eta1</a>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09280336775282644743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-57977524288870230642011-05-18T09:02:00.000-07:002011-05-18T09:02:30.863-07:00Denying ICE ACCESS: Documenting Immigration Enforcement Violations and Abuses in Local Communities<div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">This two part “webinar” training is offered by national immigration justice advocates for groups and community members working against state and local collaborations with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). These webinars are designed to build off of last year’s two-part webinar: “Secure Communities???” which provided basic information about the impact of ICE ACCESS programs on local communities. The goal of this year’s series is to give advocates tools to fight the increasing involvement of state and local authorities in federal immigration enforcement, to lay out strategies for collaboration amongst different groups, and to highlight examples of successful campaigns. </span></div><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Part 1 – Wednesday June 22nd from 2 pm to 3:30 pm</u></span></div><ul><li><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Discuss tools for building a campaign, focusing on information gathering strategies, from public records requests to documentation of violations and abuses. Presenters will outline different methods advocates can use to map the particulars of ICE’s presence in an individual community, describe typical obstacles to the data collection process, and suggest ways to overcome those obstacles.</span></div></li>
</ul><div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Part 2 – Wednesday June 29th from 2 pm to 3:30pm</u></span></div><ul><li><div align="LEFT"><span style="font-size: small;">How to use the information gathered through the tactics described in Part One to mount impactful campaigns against ICE ACCESS programs. Presenters will describe strategies in policy, legislation, litigation, and messaging, and offer examples of ways that other communities have combined these strategies to target particular audiences in particular political climates. </span> </div></li>
</ul><div align="LEFT"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">You are invited to join with members of the CBC Immigration Justice Group who will participate in this training. We'll be gathering in one of the CBC classrooms to connect to this webinar experience. Email Caroline Cargo </span></span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:ccargopa@gmail.com"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ccargopa@gmail.com</span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> or Katy Friggle-Norton </span></span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: small;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:kfrigglenorton@gmail.com"><span style="font-weight: normal;">kfrigglenorton@gmail.com</span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> to let us know you'll join us. </span></span></span> </div>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-85447874791899051382011-05-18T08:59:00.000-07:002011-05-18T08:59:22.312-07:00Letter Writing Campaign to end ICE / Police collaboration in PhiladelphiaNew Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia continues the campaign to end the local PARS contract – an agreement between the Philadelphia Police Department and Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The contract allows ICE to identify “deportable” immigrants to interview while they are in police custody – even before the person in custody has been convicted of any criminal act. <br />
<br />
According to ICE, this national program targets dangerous criminals who pose a threat to public safety. The reality on the ground is the opposite. Based on statistics from ICE:<br />
<ul><li>Philadelphia is 5th in the nation for “non-criminal” deportations of immigrants</li>
<li>61% of all immigrants deported from Philadelphia are deported prior to any charges being brought or without any criminal conviction</li>
</ul>CBC will participate in the NSM letter writing campaign with other NSM congregations during the month of June, gathering hand written letters address to District Attorney Seth Williams and Mayor Michael Nutter. Mishkan Shalom has prepared resources to guide us in writing effective letters. Watch for more information on how you can help!Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-27637911782131272212011-05-14T11:37:00.000-07:002011-05-14T11:59:06.578-07:00Migrants as a Weapon??????An article in the <i>NYTimes</i> on May 14 explains how Muammar el-Qaddafi is using migrant workers from Africa and Asia as weapons against the European Union. By turning a blind eye to the boatloads of migrants making their way to Italy (even, perhaps, encouraging them to go) he is backing away from an agreement to discourage migration to Europe in order to create dissension among the EU nations -- an onslaught of refugees and closed internal borders in retaliation for NATO support to the rebels in Libya.<div><br /></div><div>This, of course, means using the migrant workers -- twice dislocated -- as fodder for his campaign to hold onto power. These are truly men without a nation, trying to find work and to care for their families at home. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/world/europe/14refugees.html?_r=1&sq=immigrants&st=cse&scp=1&pagewanted=all">Read the article.</a></div>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-33116057775147978132011-05-12T06:05:00.000-07:002011-05-15T06:06:11.862-07:00Immigrants For Sale$200 per night. $6000 per month. $72,000 per year. That is the average amount private prison corporations like CCA, GEO Group and Management and Training make off of one single detained migrant. Nowadays with SB1070 copycat laws around the country – immigrants (even if they are legal) can be detained for days, weeks even months until they can prove their status. No wonder why these laws are profitable when Immigrants Are For Sale to the highest bidder.<br />
--- Excerpt from <a href="http://mycuentame.org/2011/04/12/immigration-the-next-prison-boom/" target="_blank">"<span class="il">Immigration</span> - The Next Prison Boom?"</a> article <br />
<br />
Take 2 minutes right now to <a href="http://youtu.be/vuGE1VxVsYo" target="_blank">watch this new video</a> about the US detention system and connections to private -- for profit -- prisons. Then check out the website <a href="http://immigrantsforsale.org/" target="_blank">immigrantsforsale.org</a> for more information.<br />
<br />
<iframe width="340" height="220" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vuGE1VxVsYo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Carolinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15232615709099518093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-88370602776494495022011-05-11T07:11:00.000-07:002011-05-11T07:20:18.730-07:00Obama Speech at the Border -- Sounded Great, but . . . .President Obama gave a speech on the need for immigration reform in El Paso Texas on Tuesday, May 10, within sight of a billowing Mexican flag. It was articulate and hopeful, but the <i>NYTimes </i>seems to have captured the weakness of the address in their lead editorial on Wednesday, May 11: "A Strong vow to move forward on immigration reform, but no plan."<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/143586/20110510/obama-speech-immigration-texas-hispanic.htm">Read the text of the speech.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/opinion/11wed1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion">Read the </a><i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/opinion/11wed1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion">Times</a></i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/opinion/11wed1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion"> editorial.</a></div>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-2253968761626896802011-05-09T09:11:00.000-07:002011-05-09T09:25:04.532-07:00Book Exploring Models of ImmigrationSusan F. Martin, historian at Georgetown University, has written a book entitled <i>A Nation of Immigrants</i> in which she claims that North Americans traditionally favor immigration, but not immigrants. Further, she explores three historical models for assimilating immigrants: the Virginal Model which sought workers but gave few rights (indentured servants, slaves), the Massachusetts Model which welcomed believers but punished dissent (Puritans and pilgrims), and the Pennsylvania Model which sought citizens of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds (Scottish, Irish, Germans, French, Moravians, Mennonites). She favors the Pennsylvania Model but says that while "it is not dead, it is under severe challenge." <div><br /></div><div>In the present day debate, she favors a legalization plan for illegal immigrants but is skeptical about guest worker plans because of the temptation to exploitation. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/books/a-nation-of-immigrants-susan-f-martins-book.html?_r=1&ref=books">Read a </a><i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/books/a-nation-of-immigrants-susan-f-martins-book.html?_r=1&ref=books">NYTimes</a></i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/books/a-nation-of-immigrants-susan-f-martins-book.html?_r=1&ref=books"> review.</a></div>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-51342703923051758472011-05-07T09:11:00.000-07:002011-05-07T09:24:03.884-07:00Some News is Good!!!In the last two days the <i>New York Times </i>has published three articles that indicate chinks in the wall of immigration enforcement are opening up.<div><br /></div><div>On May sixth, the <i>Times</i> reported that Secure Communities legislation "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">is facing growing resistance from state governments and police officials across the country."</span> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/us/06immigration.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=immigration&st=cse">Read article.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>On May seventh, they reported that "Federal officials have <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">issued a memorandum to the nation’s school districts on Friday saying it was against the law for education officials to seek information that might reveal the immigration status of children applying for enrollment." <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/education/07immig.html?scp=2&sq=immigration&st=cse">Read article.</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Also on May seventh, they reported that "an<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; "> immigration judge in Newark on Friday suspended the deportation of a Venezuelan man who is married to an American man, responding to an unusual signal this week from the Obama administration that it is exploring legal avenues for recognizing same-sex marriages in immigration cases." <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/07/us/politics/07marriage.html?scp=1&sq=deportation,%20same%20sex&st=cse">Read article.</a></span></div>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-77845275346905456172011-05-05T09:07:00.000-07:002011-05-05T09:10:27.862-07:00Illinois Steps UpIllinois took the lead in immigration reform yesterday with two actions. <br />• Governor Quinn sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security announcing the state’s withdrawal from Secure Communities stating that, although the purpose of the program is the deportation of immigrants "convicted of serious criminal offenses …, by ICE's own measure, less than 20% of those who have been deported from Illinois under the program have ever been convicted of a serious crime." <br />• The Illinois State Senate passed a local Dream Act bill that will allow for management of privately funded scholarships and other financial aid to help support Dreamers attend college.<br /><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-state-dream-act-0505-20110504,0,4942631.story">From the Chicago Tribune</a>Katyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09280336775282644743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73900874842740000.post-85036893285919936132011-04-28T07:59:00.000-07:002011-05-18T08:57:05.754-07:00One Dream at a TimeThe Dream Act may not have passed Congress, but under pressure from Democrats and immigration activists, some states are taking a case by case approach to blocking the deportation of undocumented persons, especially students, who have no criminal records and are doing well at school or work. This is not the kind of immigration reform we can celebrate, but it is proof that defeat of legislation does not necessarily negate right actions. And it is very good news for the persons being reprieved. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/us/politics/27immigration.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Dream%20Act&st=cse">Read the </a><i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/us/politics/27immigration.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Dream%20Act&st=cse">NYTimes</a></i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/us/politics/27immigration.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Dream%20Act&st=cse"> article.</a>Betsy Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04040102870543874734noreply@blogger.com0