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NEWS & BLOG

friday reflection 23 June 2017

6/23/2017

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The Episcopal Church and Immigration Advocacy
The Episcopal Church has been active in standing with immigrants for many years. This holy work is rooted in our faith and commanded throughout scripture. I’ve cited verses previously in this space, but here again is a reminder of what we people of God are to do:

"Do not take advantage of foreigners in your land; do not wrong them. They must be treated like any other citizen; love them as yourself, for remember that you too were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34)

“You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9 NLT)

 “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2 NIV) 

Our catechism (“outline of faith”) in the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 854-855) notes that the mission of the Church is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ,” and that the Church lives out this mission “as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.”

To be faithful to these charges, The Episcopal Church takes a clear stand on Immigration, advocating for policies that define a pathway for citizenship for undocumented persons in the U.S., prioritizing family unity, and advocating for humane enforcement. The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Affairs recently published a one-page immigration policy statement.

In addition, the Office of Government Affairs published a consolidated Policy for Action summarizing social justice resolutions passed by General Convention or Executive Council (the interim body of General Convention). The immigration resolutions are described on pages 12 – 15, and include the following:

  • Call upon The Episcopal Church to recommit to the spirit of the New Sanctuary Movement so congregations can assist immigrant individuals, unaccompanied minors, families and communities in the absence of comprehensive, human immigration reform. (GC 2015)

  • Urge that when deportations do occur, individuals are repatriated in a safe and humane manner (EC 6/2014)
  • Urge the U.S. Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform to give undocumented persons who have established roots in the United States a pathway to legalization and full social and economic integration into the United States. (GC 2009)
Clearly, our work is not done! It is my prayer that this space in the Friday Reflection can be a catalyst for us to respond as a diocese to the plight of our immigrant brothers and sisters. If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org.

Faithfully yours,

Deacon Nancy
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friday reflection 16 june 2017

6/16/2017

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Engage in a rapid response team for immigration raids

For allies of those facing an immigration raid, one way to assist is as part of a rapid response team. Teams have been organized across the nation, often by interfaith coalitions supported by community organizers such as PICO.

Rapid response teams serve many purposes:

  • Demonstrate solidarity with those in fear through prayerful ministry of presence
  • Prayerful witness of deportation actions through video and note documentation;
  • Shine a light on what happens in an ICE raid

As with all of activities we have presented, training with the participation of an attorney specializing in immigration matters should precede any participation in a rapid response team. In our diocese, Faith in the Valley organizations are active in larger communities, and have provided excellent leadership in providing training and coordination for Rapid Response Teams.

Some notes of caution:

  1. Training with consultation of an immigration attorney is an essential first step.
  2. Do not interfere, physically, verbally, or with your body language. The primary purpose is to stand in prayerful witness and to document.
  3. If questioned, state that you are an observer.
  4. DO NOT assert yourself as a representative of any of the parties involved.
  5. Try to determine what the family needs, and relay the information back to dispatch.
  6. NEVER post anything online, which could have serious consequences.
  7. Do not give the family false hope.
Articles and Resources:

Newsweek article on deportation resistance of faith communities, specifically Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles: Overview on Rapid Response Teams from PICO:

  • http://www.piconetwork.org/community-tools/Rapid-Response-Teams_overview.pdf
From Interfaith Immigration:

  • http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/2017/02/11/raids-rapid-response/
http://www.newsweek.com/california-resisting-trump-immigration-policies-593379
Fresno Bee article about Rapid Response Team kick-off organized by Faith in Fresno:

  • http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article137049963.html
San Jose Mercury News article about Migra Watch Hotline

  • http://www.sanjoseinside.com/2017/04/11/new-hotline-aims-to-defend-people-from-immigration-raids/
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Sacred Resistance video training

  • http://www.lasacredresistance.org/video-training.html
If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org.

Deacon Nancy


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Friday relection 9 June 2017

6/9/2017

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Host or sponsor “Know Your Rights” workshops – tips for your event

Hosting or sponsoring a “Know Your Rights” workshop is a way to provide education and support that is potentially life-saving for those facing deportation. Many of our undocumented neighbors left their native countries fleeing violence, torture, and/or gangs, and if deported, face a future that is uncertain at best. The education your workshop provides will help provide critical information. Again, it is strongly recommended that you reach out to the local bar association to obtain the participation of an immigration attorney.

As suggested last week, a good first step may be partnering another organization experienced in hosting Know Your Rights Workshops. When you are ready to host your own workshops, the tips below – which were provided by the Sacred Resistance of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, provide a framework for you.

1. Know your audience in order to provide the most accessible date/time/location for the workshop.

2. Connect with local immigrant rights organizations/immigration attorneys that have expertise on the issues related to your workshop generally, and can also speak to what's happening locally related to immigration enforcement.

3. Include information about creating family preparedness plans/child custody plans in the event of a detention/deportation:

https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/cluela/pages/54/attachments/original/1489096328/ILRC_family_preparedness_plan.pdf?1489096328

https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/cluela/pages/54/attachments/original/1489096326/ILRC_plan_de_preparacion_familiar_spanish_final.pdf?1489096326

3. Do provide a theological/faith framing for why you are doing this work! Our Baptismal Covenant is great for this, as are many scriptures related to immigration and welcoming the stranger.

4. Provide translation, or plan to conduct the workshop in the most relevant language(s) needed. 

5. Provide Know Your Rights literature/resources in multiple languages.

6. Provide child care.

7. Prepare for a worst-case scenario in case detractors/anti-immigrant voices show up and try to disrupt your workshop. Have extra volunteers, and legal observers if possible, to play this role. Visible clergy may be helpful in helping to de-escalate a situation.  

8. Build community, build the rapid response network. Collect names, emails, phone numbers for those willing to support the ongoing work!

If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org.

Deacon Nancy
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friday reflection 2 june 2017

6/2/2017

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Host or sponsor “Know Your Rights” workshops.

One response that many churches, non-profit organizations and other groups have made to the deportation crisis is to host Know Your Rights workshops. It is especially helpful to have these workshops in Spanish and any other languages appropriate to your area. It is also helpful, and strongly recommended, to have an attorney specializing in immigration and immigrant rights present.

You may want to search on Google for organizations offering these workshops, then contact them with the offer to support those workshops through providing a location, resources, or other assistance. The next installment of this topic will have specific tips on hosting “Know Your Rights Workshops.”

If your congregation has hosted a Know Your Rights workshop, please let us know at: DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org

Know Your Rights Materials

  • Know Your Rights materials in several languages (from Episcopal Policy Network)
https://unitedwedream.org/thank-deportation-defense-card-handy-phone/
  • “The Red Card” – this card can be pushed under the door in case of an ICE raid. It is a statement that the person is exercising their rights to remain silent, refuse to open door, show ID, etc. It cannot be used if the agent has a valid search warrant.

Available in several languages here: http://www.masslegalservices.org/content/red-card-templates
  • Please see attached PDF files with information about Knowing Your Rights.

    • What you need to know (flyer)
    • Know Your Rights – CASA of Maryland
    • Red Card – How to Use
    • Red Card – Spanish Version
FORUM

Shared by The Rev. Heather Mueller, a song and video composed by three of her friends. Here’s what Heather says: This song was “penned by three friends of mine who live in California, Colorado and Pennsylvania respectively and together created this masterpiece at a songwriting symposium earlier this year.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL4Rb4TT0F0&feature=youtu.be 

If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org.

Deacon Nancy
what_you_need_to_know_flyer-immigrant_defense_project.pdf
File Size: 505 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

know_your_rights_-_casa_of_maryland.pdf
File Size: 484 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

red_cards-how_to_use.pdf
File Size: 2553 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

red_card-spanish-biz_template-20170216.pdf
File Size: 98 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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