Some Recent Immigration Issues in the News . . . .

. . . compiled by CLUE OC

Oc Register: Immigration Activists Spread Message with Banners 

Santa Ana, CA: About a dozen undocumented students and their allies unfurled banners near freeways in Orange County today as part of a nationwide campaign urging President Obama to pass an executive order allowing them to seek jobs and avoid deportation.  (Full article) 5/17/12

Associated Press: Report Says Female Farmworkers Suffer Sex Abuse

Fresno, CA: FRESNO, Calif. - Female farmworkers across the United States are commonly sexually harassed and assaulted, in part because their immigration status makes them fearful of calling police, according to a report being released Wednesday by Human Rights Watch. (full article ) 5/17/12

CNN Editorial: Evangelical Leaders to Boehner -- Protect Immigrant Women From Violence

Op-ed on the Violence against Women Act, asking asking Speaker John Boehner and the House leadership to make sure that the Violence Against Women Act continues to protect vulnerable immigrant women who are victims of human trafficking or domestic violence, by Leith Anderson is the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and Lynne Hybels is the co-founder of Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois. (Full Article Here)  5/16/12 

Evangelical Leaders and Business Leaders Speak Out on SB 1070

Signed into law nearly two years ago by Gov. Jan Brewer, S.B. 1070 authorizes (among other things) law enforcement officers to arrest someone without a warrant based on reasonable suspicion that the individual is in violation of civil immigration laws.

Leading evangelical groups, including the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, and Sojourners issued statements condemning Arizona's law Business leaders in Arizona issues an amicus brief and spoke out about the harmful effects of the law on their businesses.  4/23/12

Editorial: Immigrants are worth more than zero 

Helping legal immigrants fully embrace the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship is not a Democratic or Republican issue. It is an American issue, and it is in our country's best interest to encourage and assist law-abiding would-be citizens who are eager and eligible to take the next step. (Full Article here) 5/11/12

We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

Immigration Learning Day June 2

We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

CHURCH BETWEEN BORDERS

Pilot Workshop May 19 from 8:00 am- Noon Bethany CRC, Bellflower, CA

Discuss Challenges faced by immigrants and the Church’s Response

Part 1: values and Relationships  

Group discussion on immigration and the challenges (including being undocumented) and opportunities that are present in your community.

part 2: Immigration Storyline

When has the U.S. welcomed immigrants? When have we limited their entry?  Where does your family story land on the timeline?  What was your experience?

part 3: Immigration Law AND BiBlical Advocacy

Overview of the four doors people can pass through to work in the United States legally.  Description of why the current system results in struggle.  Ideas from the CRC on how Christians can respond.  

  

part 4: YOUR RESPONSE

Open discussions in small rotating groups to share what’s been learned, ask new questions, dig deeper into scripture, discuss new insights, and make commitments to seek justice.   

SPONSORED BY: The CRC’s Southern CA Race Relations Team and the Office of Social Justice

What is your dream for the Church’s response? 

We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”

Help Protect Victims of Domestic Abuse and Trafficking

Advocacy

Since the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) first passed in 1994, this law has protected thousands of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault while improving enforcement measures and prosecution of these crimes. Congress recognized that abusers can exploit migrant victims’ vulnerability and provided protections so victims can escape abuse or report crimes without fear. VAWA currently protects the spouses of abusive U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents by allowing such victims to “self-petition” for their immigration status. The 2000 reauthorization of VAWA created the U visa for immigrant survivors of violent crimes who assist law enforcement efforts on the crime’s investigation efforts.

At the end of April, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) S.1925. Although the Senate bill is not perfect, it represents a step towards enhancing protections for immigrant survivors of violence. The House Judiciary Committee marked up a reauthorization bill HR.4970 with harmful immigration provisions and it will soon go to the House floor. These provisions deny victims the very protections established by VAWA and even helps perpetrate the abuse from which they are trying to escape.

Specifically, sections 801, 802 and 806 would undercut existing laws enacted to assist victims of crime and domestic violence by:

·         eliminating confidentiality protections for immigrant victims

·         erecting barriers to protection that would deter victims from cooperating with law enforcement

·         denying crime victims the chance to adjust their immigration status

·         holding abuse victims to a higher standard than other applicants for immigration benefits.

Urge your Representative to strike these three provisions and ensure that VAWA continues to protect migrant survivors of violence as they seek to rebuild their lives. 

Click here to read a letter from faith leaders (including many evangelical leaders) to House Leadership on concerns about HR.4970.

Click here to write or call your Representative NOW!

Tweet THIS:
Parts of HR 4970 minimize protection of human trafficking & domestic violence victims. Take 1 minute to email Congress: http://j.mp/JbzMFR

Advocacy

  We append the following disclaimer on all posts: “Please note that the views expressed by guest bloggers represent their own personal views, and not necessarily those of everyone associated with Loving the Stranger or any institutions with which the blogger may be affiliated.”