September 28… Alert on Immigration What’s Happening? Earlier this month, the body of Aylan Kurdi, a 3-year-old Syrian refugee, washed ashore in Turkey. The image spurred the world’s collective outrage. The realities are dire: Four years of conflict have resulted in over 200,000 civilian deaths and the biggest refugee crisis since World War II. This heartbreaking crisis reminds us that we are in vital need of prevention mechanisms to save lives before conflict escalates. Yet, in this context, the Atrocities Prevention Board (APB), the only high-level U.S. body focusing on preventing genocide and mass atrocities, is at risk of being dismantled. (Adapted from stand) Invited by Speaker John Boehner, Pope Francis spoke to a Congress last Thursday where over 30% of members self-identify as Catholic and nearly 15% attended a Catholic college or university. His address to Congress was an opportunity to invite legislators to reflect on the U.S.’s response to those who are marginalized by poverty and injustice, especially migrants, those plagued by climate change, workers treated unjustly, etc. (Adapted from Ignatian Solidarity Network)
Action One: Prayer We are a people who are marching, and all the time we’re walking. We’re hoping we will find a city where there will be no sorrow, where we will all be brothers and sisters in God. Amen. (Adapted from We Are People Who Are Marching)
Action Two: Calls/Letters NATIONAL LEVEL: URGENT: Sign petition now and demand the U.S. increase the resettlement of more Syrian refugees! Needed before September 30th https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/authorize-and-resettle-syrian-refugeesus Call the White House at 202-456-1111 - feel free to use this script: The U.S. must show leadership in responding to the global refugee crisis, including in Syria. I urge President Obama to increase refugee resettlement from 70,000 to 1000,000 this coming hear, as well as an additional 100,000 Syrian refugees. Petition on Family Detention: Office of Immigration Affairs – Chicago Archdiocese http://www.catholicsandimmigrants.org/wp-content/uploads/OIA-Petitions-Family-Detention_2.pdf
Tell Secretary Johnson: Stop the Fight to Keep Women & Children Locked Up: https://secure3.convio.net/sojo/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=944
Take the Pledge – I Pledge to Bridge Divides and Transform Politics and Call on Congress to Do the Same: http://www.networklobby.org/bus2015/pledge
Tell Congress to Protect Families Who Flee to Safety: https://secure2.convio.net/elca/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=BB351D320B367FF51487E82A350D90B3.app258b?cmd=display&page=U serAction&id=420
Tell your US Representative to End Immigration Detention Quotas: http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50601/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17212
Call your Representative and tell them to support Rep. Deutch’s amendment to end the bed quota! (Find your Representative here: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/) Sample Script: “Hi, my name is ___ and I’m calling from ___. As a constituent, I would like to see Representative ___ take action to remove the immigration detention bed quota from the continuing resolution by supporting Representative Deutch’s bed quota amendment. The bed quota drives immigration enforcement, hurts immigrant communities, is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and helps line the pockets of private prison companies. For all these reasons, it’s time to get rid of this arbitrary and harmful quota. Is Representative ___ willing to support the bed quota amendment? Thank you.”
Call 1-866-940-2439 to connect with your Senator’s office. Sample Script: “I’m a constituent from [City/State] and I urge the Senator to OPPOSE S.1812, ‘The Improving Cooperation with States and Local Governments and Preventing the Catch and Release of Criminal Aliens Act’ and similar legislation that would force local police to serve as immigration enforcement officers.”
Tell your Senators: Stop Streamlining Action: http://cqrcengage.com/jesuit/app/write-a-letter?4&engagementId=124433 STATE LEVEL: Call Gov. Rauner (217-782-0244) and tell him not to make cuts for vulnerable groups in FY2016. Please do not balance the budget on the back of the poor & vulnerable. People need these services & programs.
Action Three: Education House Leaders Introduce Bill to Ban Private Prisons and Eliminate Detention Bed Quotas: http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-house-leaders-introduce-bill-to-ban-private-prisons
Organizations Seek Transparency in US Funding for Mexico’s Mass Deportation of Central American Refugees: http://www.nalacc.org/organizations-seek-transparency-in-u-s-funding-for-mexicos-interdiction-and-mass-deportation-ofcentral-american-refugees/
USCIS Electronic Immigration System Delayed and Over Budget: http://dailycaller.com/2015/09/15/online-immigrationapplication-is-billions-over-budget/
Action Four: Events/Resources Resources for the Papal Visit: http://ignatiansolidarity.net/pope-francis-insipring-the-ignatian-solidaritynetwork/ Free Webinar: Building United Communities of Immigrants and African Americans Thursday, October 8, 1:00-2:30pm EST. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IWyKftUbHZhLzKQUXmYd8voaIONoXYX7uKKbIVN_m_4/viewform
Toolkit for visiting Congress in support of Syrian Refugees: http://www.rcusa.org/uploads/pdfs/members/Local%20Congressional%20Visit%20Advocacy%20Toolkit_09.16.15.pdf
IWC is collecting supplies for mothers & children being released from detention & dropped off at the local Greyhound station. Registry: http://www.myregistry.com/organization/Interfaith-Welcome-Coalition-San-Antonio-TX/850453# Thank you for your efforts!
