IMMIGRATION What is a faith-based organization to do? The Rev. Anna Lange-Soto

On the Agenda: What faith values should be included in the national debate about reforming U.S. immigration policy?

A Faith-Based Organization Buddha Jesus UUA Principles If you do not take care of one another, who else will do so? Those who would care for me should care for those who are sick. What you do for these, the least of my brothers (and sisters) you do to me. The inherent worth and dignity of every person; The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all

Yahweh Yahweh your Elohim is the Elohim of the Elohim and the Adonim of the Adonim (master of masters) … (who) upholds the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and befriends the stranger, providing him with food and clothing. You must love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:17-19, as quoted in The Natural History of the Bible, Daniel Hillel 2006 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18, NRSV

Why dont they just get their papers?

Immigrant Status Temporary Visa Permanent Resident Visa Naturalized Citizen See – (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services)

Need a Basis for Immigration Immediate family Business investment Work – no authorized worker available Asylum Danger because of who you are Danger from crime or illness generally not acceptable Temporary authorization: Visas: Visits, School Seasonal work, when no authorized worker available

Path To Citizenship

Even so, can take years Contreras Family US-citizen sister applied approx 12 years before the Contreras house was raided. In the normal course of things, dont know when their status will be regularized. Theyre still waiting! In deportation orders MomCame to the U.S. as kids Maria Marcos 20Sughey 19Laura 18 Frosh CollegeHS Senior U.S. Citizens Michelle 13Maria 11Carlitos 6

Ramirez Family – No Basis 4 US-citizen children; but no way to stay. Mom and Dad deported to Mexico. What are the choices? What if they were your kids?

Why did they come? The Rancho

Why did they come? The Rancho in Michoacán Environment One-room house; out houses; earthen ovens Health Illnesses for which they have no immunity The hospital is 2 house away. Education No middle school or high school for the boys. Work – The rancho cant sustain them. Hunger. NAFTA and the price of corn. No available work

Why do they stay? Family Community Education Work Church Once they leave, cant return for 10 years Even if they have a basis for immigration Remembering the suffering and expense of entering the U.S. – They do not want to relive that experience.

Not an easy decision No one wants to risk death No one wants to be treated like a criminal

Death in the Desert

Arrest and Deportation

Whats the Opportunity? POLITICO (Gerstein Blog): Obama sets WH immigration reform meeting for June 8 President Barack Obama is inviting members of Congress to the White House for a June 8 meething to highlight immigration reform, an administration official confirmed to POLITICO Wednesday. "The meeting will be an opportunity to launch a policy conversation that we hope will be able to start a debate that will take place in Congress later in the year," the official, who asked not to be named, said. Asked if the session would be billed as a summit or a forum, like similar meetings on health care and fiscal responsibility earlier in the year, another official said, "This isn't a forum or a summit with outside groups, this is solely a meeting with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the issue." Another aide said about possible labels for the meeting: "I don't know that we're going to brand this in any particular way." During a meeting in March with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Obama promised to host a public event on immigration, as POLITICO reported at the time. The New York Times reported last month that officials said the session would take place in May, but POLITICO reported yesterday that the timetable seemed to have slipped. Sources close to the process said it was delayed by various logistical issues, including focus on a possible Supreme Court pick next week.POLITICO reported at the timeNew York Times reported last monthPOLITICO reported yesterday Immigration reform advocates have been pressing Obama to vow to pass immigration reform this year. He has promised make the issue a priority, but has stopped short of setting a goal of getting a bill through Congress by December. (Thanks to POLITICO columnist Gebe Martinez for the tip.)

MAKE IT HAPPEN! Before there are more deaths Before more families get separated So that kids who grew up in the US can get to college instead of languishing in minimum-wage jobs. We need them, including the valedictorians! So that we know that our PIA brothers and sisters who are here without authorization will still be here the next time that we have a dinner, or an action, or the Heroes Luncheon.

Acknowledge the need for countries to protect its borders; AND… THE ENFORCEMENT PIECE OF CRI

1.Undocumented aliens should have reasonable opportunity to pursue permanent residency. i.e. Economics and Family Values

2.Legal workers should be allowed to enter the United States to respond to recognized labor force needs. i.e., A well-managed flow of temporary workers permits and encourages workers families to remain in place and workers to return to their home countries.

3. Close family members should be allowed to reunite without undue delay with individuals lawfully present in the United States. Up to 14-year backlog. Stopped receiving new applications.

4. Fundamental U.S. principles of legal due process should be granted all persons. 5. Enforcement of national borders and immigration policies should be proportional and humane. The Vang Family – Deported after 18 years in U.S., two US- citzen children, a restaurant and a house The letter of the law is not enough. Justice

The Dhammapada: The Twin Verses Variations (2 nd & 4 th verses) by a Buddhist Priest of San Jose For the Families United meeting with Rep. Luis Gutierrez and Rep. Mike Honda With our mind, we make the world. Speak or act with meanness and unhappiness will follow you as surely as a cart follows the ox that pulls it. With our mind, we make borders. Speak and act as if these borders separate countries and people, then the stranger will be seen as an intruder.

With our mind we make the world. Speak or act with kindness and happiness will follow you as surely as a shadow follows the person who casts it. With our mind, we make borders. Speak and act as if these borders only separate countries but not people, and the stranger will no longer seem so different from ourselves. For in this world, hate never yet has dispelled hate. Only love dispels hate. This law is ancient and will last forever.

Madreanna.org/immref For Links Info More VISIT