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National Migrants Week
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January 5, 2016Download PDF Flyer Here
Alert on Immigration – National Migration Week
What’s Happening?
The Department of Homeland Security has initiated plans for immigration raids in 2016 targeting recent arrival Central American immigrant families. These raids will be carried out as early as this month! We are deeply outraged and disturbed by this violent threat against Central American immigrants fleeing grave violence and instability and who are in need of safety and refuge. Although outrage is righteous, we must also put our faith into action. If you are tied to immigrant led congregations, it is imperative to educate all immigrant communities on know your rights resources (https://afsc.org/category/topic/know-your-rights).
(Adapted from CRLN/IIC)This week is National Migration Week, a time designated by the US Catholic Bishops to remember the journey of the Holy Family as they had to live in the shadows and cross the border into Egypt to escape death at the hands of King Herod. The Church calls parishes, Catholic schools and religious communities to a heightened awareness of the difficult journey of today’s immigrants and to work as a community so migrants can “step out of the darkness.”
(Adapted from Office for Immigrant Affairs)
Action One: Prayer
Loving Father, we pray that you provide your divine protection to all migrants, particularly those who are driven from their homes due to war or violence, who are uprooted due to environmental degradation and climate change, or whose material poverty pushes them to find opportunities elsewhere. Show us how we might reach out to these vulnerable populations and help them to begin a new life. Open our hearts, so that we may provide hospitality for all who come in search of refuge. Give us the courage to welcome every stranger, as Christ in our midst. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Adapted from USCCB Migration Week 2016 Prayer Card)
Action Two: Calls/Letters
Tell the White House to STOP planned raids on Central American children and families: 866-961-4293Sample Script: "I'm from City, State, Congregation/Community and as a person of faith, I urge President Obama to immediately STOP plans to deport Central American children and families. These individuals are fleeing violence and should have access to legal counsel so that they can apply for asylum and protection in the United States."
Sign Petition to Stop the TPP: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/stop_tpp_2016?t=1&akid=16421.2678758.b221-_
Tell House & Senate Leaders to Help Syrian & Iraqi Refugees: http://capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/issues/alert/?alertid=68961626&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
Contact Senators to Support Refugees : https://www.hrw.org/support-us/advocacy/contact-your-senators-support-refugees#/
Tell Obama: Take a Stand against Islamophobia: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/denounce_islamophobia?t=1&akid=16248.1183368.OWF-nW
Tell Your Senate – We Welcome Refugees: https://secure3.convio.net/sdc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=931&s_src=taffb
Call your Representatives & Senators and tell them you OPPOSE H.R. 4038: https://secure3.convio.net/cvt/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=9EC03C584A003625DECD00EA1CF099EF.app313b?alertId=257&pg=makeACall
Governors: Stop Your Collective Punishment of Refugees: http://act.mpowerchange.org/sign/no-collective-punishment/source=uwd?can_id=afd72c5c3c02e1a8b1916e80ea21df27&email_referrer=no-syrian-refugees-allowed
Sign for Syrians: http://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/tell-politicians-refugees-fleeing-violence-need-help-not-hate
Sign Petition to Urge Elected Officials to Welcome Syrian Refugees: http://www.capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=68608626&type=CO
Do Not License Immigrant Family Detention Camps as Child Care Facilities: https://grassrootsleadership.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/petition/sign?sid=22&reset=1
Tell Congress: Ban Private For-Profit Prisons: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/private_prisons?t=2&akid=15710.8488121.qGEx5w
Action Three: Education
US Plans Raids to Deport Families: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/us-plans-raids-to-deport-families-who-surged-across-border/2015/12/23/034fc954-a9bd-11e5-8058-480b572b4aae_story.html
10 Questions for Candidates on Faith and Social Justice: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/obery-m-hendricks-jr-phd/ten-questions-for-the-presidential-candidates_b_8825020.html
Over 3,770 Migrants Have Died Trying to Cross the Mediterranean in 2015: http://reliefweb.int/report/world/over-3770-migrants-have-died-trying-cross-mediterranean-europe-2015
Action Four: Events/Resources
National Migration Week: January 3-9, 2016
USCCB Resources: http://www.usccb.org/about/migration-and-refugee-services/national-migration-week/
OIA Resources: http://www.catholicsandimmigrants.org/resources/migrationweek2016/
Archbishop Cupich Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4htMXkPu1X_d25Ybmh3Z1JrdWc/view?usp=sharing
The US Supreme Court will consider whether to hear the DAPA/DACA lawsuit on Jan.15. ICIRR is joining a national week of action to urge the court to accept the case and rule in favor of DAPA and expanded DACA, including a letter-writing campaign targeting Justices of the Supreme Court. The next Illinois is Ready meeting on January 13 will include a press event to call on the Supreme Court to take the case. ( 10AM-12PM at Casa Michoacan, 1638 S Blue Island, press conference to follow at noon)
Deportation Defense Training (in Spanish) – Jan.17th at 2:30pm at Central Baptist Church
For more info, email [email protected] or call 312-770-0350
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering: Called to Live Mercy in Our Common Home – Jan.23-26, 2016
More information/registration: https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/138516/321289/
Please consider a gift to help the ongoing needs of the CARA Project – you can access the Amazon Wish List here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2NM5FBYOV8T4X/ref=cm_wl_huc_view
