The Center for American Progress released a report today entitled "Loving Thy Neighbor: Immigration Reform and Communities of Faith." The report documents the activities of faith-based communities and organizations around the nation, as people within these communities reach out to one another and to the immigrants in their midst. Communities of faith are becoming an increasingly important voice in the public discussion on immigration reform.
As the report says, the recent increase in prominence of hate groups has "dehumanize[d] the stranger in our midst." Teachings from diverse faith communities encourage people to instead welcome the strangers in their communities. The report tells the stories of six communities that took action to protect the rights of immigrants and voice their concerns to their members of Congress.
I especially recommend reading the story entitled "Pilgrimage" (starting on page 15). Following the raid in Bellingham, WA, in February 2009, members of the community in which the raid took place gathered together to march peacefully to the detention center where undocumented workers from the raid were being held. This march, which took them across 143 miles and included more than 500 participants, demonstrates well the commitment of faith-based communities to uphold the rights and dignity of all of their neighbors, regardless of legal status.
The report also mentions that more than 100 peace vigils on immigration reform took place in February. The Interfaith Immigration Coalition organized these peace vigils, and will be organizing them again in 2010.
For the full text of the report, click here. To see an interactive map, designed by the Center for American Progress, documenting where around the country faith groups have taken action for immigration reform, click here.
Showing posts with label Bellingham raid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bellingham raid. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: ICE Releases Workers Arrested in Bellingham Raid
Today the Obama administration gave a major sign that it is shifting how it handles immigration enforcement--they released the majority of the 28 individuals detained in the raid on Yamato Engine Specialists in February with the option of either returning to their home country or receiving work permits while the case is pending.
The Bellingham raid was the first major worksite raid of the Obama administration. After advocates organized quickly in response to the raid, stating that such raids violated campaign promises that said immigration enforcement should focus on the employer and not on the workers themselves, the White House and Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano issued statements saying that raids were not their policy and that they would begin an immediate investigation into the events in Bellingham.
Today's release of the workers is the first sign that they have taken both their investigation and promise to focus on employers seriously.
The documents immigrants received upon their release stated "that per the assistant United States attorney assigned to this case, all persons involved with the Yamato Engine Specialists ... should be afforded the benefit of deferred action and an employment authorization document, valid for the duration of this case."
This is a huge shift from the Bush administration's policies which typically either deported someone after a stint in detention or forced immigrants to stay in detention while their case was pending.
Providing immigrants with work permits during the case's investigation both shifts the onus onto the employer and lessens the burden placed on social service providers in the community, who--in places like Postville, IA--are still providing for dozens of families who lost their main breadwinner to the raid nearly a year after its actual occurance.
We're pleased to see this move by the Administration and hope that it signifies future work in aligning enforcement practices with humanitarian values.
The Bellingham raid was the first major worksite raid of the Obama administration. After advocates organized quickly in response to the raid, stating that such raids violated campaign promises that said immigration enforcement should focus on the employer and not on the workers themselves, the White House and Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano issued statements saying that raids were not their policy and that they would begin an immediate investigation into the events in Bellingham.
Today's release of the workers is the first sign that they have taken both their investigation and promise to focus on employers seriously.
The documents immigrants received upon their release stated "that per the assistant United States attorney assigned to this case, all persons involved with the Yamato Engine Specialists ... should be afforded the benefit of deferred action and an employment authorization document, valid for the duration of this case."
This is a huge shift from the Bush administration's policies which typically either deported someone after a stint in detention or forced immigrants to stay in detention while their case was pending.
Providing immigrants with work permits during the case's investigation both shifts the onus onto the employer and lessens the burden placed on social service providers in the community, who--in places like Postville, IA--are still providing for dozens of families who lost their main breadwinner to the raid nearly a year after its actual occurance.
We're pleased to see this move by the Administration and hope that it signifies future work in aligning enforcement practices with humanitarian values.
More Posts on the Bellingham Raid
While the President Addressed the Nation
2/25/2009
The Whitehouse and Department of Homeland Security Respond to the Bellingham Raid
2/26/2009
Congressional Hispanic Congress Hopeful After Meeting With Napolitano
2/27/2009
Cocktails and Criticism: Deepak Bhargava--Executive Director of the Center for Community Change--Responds to the Bellingham Raid
2/27/2009
2/25/2009
The Whitehouse and Department of Homeland Security Respond to the Bellingham Raid
2/26/2009
Congressional Hispanic Congress Hopeful After Meeting With Napolitano
2/27/2009
Cocktails and Criticism: Deepak Bhargava--Executive Director of the Center for Community Change--Responds to the Bellingham Raid
2/27/2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Last Week: In Our Community (Feb. 23-Mar. 2)
Immigration news and updates from Monday February 23- Monday March 2.
Given that I've posted a number of updates on the Bellingham raid (to access these updates click here, here, here, or here), I'll just include a list of news articles without annotations.
Bellingham Raid
Immigration Officials Raid Bellingham Plant
28 Illegal Immigrants Arrested in Bellingham Raid
Obama Administration Conducts First Immigration Raid in Bellingham
Raid on Illegals Dismays Obama Backers
Officials, Advocates Question Immigration Raid
Bellingham Immigration Raid Raises Protests
Napolitano Orders Review of WA Raid
Concerns Arise Over Fast-Track Deportation Program
This article focuses on the federal government's increasing practice of deporting immigrants without a hearing. Attorneys, advocates, and judges all have concerns about this practice because many immigrants are deported without knowing their rights or the future consequences of their deportation.
Obama Can't Afford to Ignore Immigration
This International Herald Tribune article argues that even in the midst of recession, Obama can't afford to set back immigration reform. The author argues that to come out of the recession, the U.S. needs to boost service, construction, and agricultural industries.
Haitians Look for Shift in Immigration Policy
Haitian immigrants are looking to the Obama administration for a reversal of the Bush administration's resumed deportations to Haiti. After deadly mudslides and hurricanes hit Haiti last year, the Haitian government requested that the U.S. offer "temporary protected status" to Haitians living in the U.S. The Bush administration halted deportations while they reviewed the request, which they later denied. Many Haitians now fear being torn apart from their U.S. families. Protests against U.S. policy towards Haitians also took place last week.
Liberians in Limbo
Since they were granted temporary protected status (TPS) in 1991 after fleeing civil war, Liberian refugees have been making a life, and a community, in the United States. Now, eighteen years later, thousands of Liberian refugees are being forced to voluntarily leave the U.S. or face mass deportation on March 31. This article discusses the history and politics of the "TPS" category, which is in desparate need of reform.
U.S Immigration Policies Brings Global Shame on Us
This article discusses the global media attention--and shame--garnered by Sherriff Joe Arpaio's tactics in handling immigration. Next to news articles abroad on President Obama's speech before Congress were articles talking about the "inhumane," "discriminatory," and "humiliating" treatment of immigrant detainees in the United States.
ICE Program Shifts Immigration Costs, Abuses
"We can make a person disappear," an ICE official said. This article discusses the problematic programs of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which has extraordinary powers under civil immigration law.
Immigration Not Local Police Duty
This editorial discusses how the 287(g) program--a program which gives grant funds to local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws--does little to reduce crime, the program's orginial selling point.
Other news articles:
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee- ADC Requests DHS Civil Liberties Investigation of Operation Frontline
Atlanta Journal Constitution- Immigration Rally Focuses on Families
Immigration Impact- Obama Assures Mexican President He's Committed to Immigration Reform
Associated Press- Calderon: US Should Fix Economy, Then Immigration
The Washington Post Magizine- A College Student Fights Deportation
Seattle PI- Washington Activists Fights Immigrant Detention Center
AP Texas News- Deported Infant Case Back in Court
San Francisco Chronicle- Court Takes Case on Rights of Immigrant Defendents
Given that I've posted a number of updates on the Bellingham raid (to access these updates click here, here, here, or here), I'll just include a list of news articles without annotations.
Bellingham Raid
Immigration Officials Raid Bellingham Plant
28 Illegal Immigrants Arrested in Bellingham Raid
Obama Administration Conducts First Immigration Raid in Bellingham
Raid on Illegals Dismays Obama Backers
Officials, Advocates Question Immigration Raid
Bellingham Immigration Raid Raises Protests
Napolitano Orders Review of WA Raid
Concerns Arise Over Fast-Track Deportation Program
This article focuses on the federal government's increasing practice of deporting immigrants without a hearing. Attorneys, advocates, and judges all have concerns about this practice because many immigrants are deported without knowing their rights or the future consequences of their deportation.
Obama Can't Afford to Ignore Immigration
This International Herald Tribune article argues that even in the midst of recession, Obama can't afford to set back immigration reform. The author argues that to come out of the recession, the U.S. needs to boost service, construction, and agricultural industries.
Haitians Look for Shift in Immigration Policy
Haitian immigrants are looking to the Obama administration for a reversal of the Bush administration's resumed deportations to Haiti. After deadly mudslides and hurricanes hit Haiti last year, the Haitian government requested that the U.S. offer "temporary protected status" to Haitians living in the U.S. The Bush administration halted deportations while they reviewed the request, which they later denied. Many Haitians now fear being torn apart from their U.S. families. Protests against U.S. policy towards Haitians also took place last week.
Liberians in Limbo
Since they were granted temporary protected status (TPS) in 1991 after fleeing civil war, Liberian refugees have been making a life, and a community, in the United States. Now, eighteen years later, thousands of Liberian refugees are being forced to voluntarily leave the U.S. or face mass deportation on March 31. This article discusses the history and politics of the "TPS" category, which is in desparate need of reform.
U.S Immigration Policies Brings Global Shame on Us
This article discusses the global media attention--and shame--garnered by Sherriff Joe Arpaio's tactics in handling immigration. Next to news articles abroad on President Obama's speech before Congress were articles talking about the "inhumane," "discriminatory," and "humiliating" treatment of immigrant detainees in the United States.
ICE Program Shifts Immigration Costs, Abuses
"We can make a person disappear," an ICE official said. This article discusses the problematic programs of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, which has extraordinary powers under civil immigration law.
Immigration Not Local Police Duty
This editorial discusses how the 287(g) program--a program which gives grant funds to local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws--does little to reduce crime, the program's orginial selling point.
Other news articles:
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee- ADC Requests DHS Civil Liberties Investigation of Operation Frontline
Atlanta Journal Constitution- Immigration Rally Focuses on Families
Immigration Impact- Obama Assures Mexican President He's Committed to Immigration Reform
Associated Press- Calderon: US Should Fix Economy, Then Immigration
The Washington Post Magizine- A College Student Fights Deportation
Seattle PI- Washington Activists Fights Immigrant Detention Center
AP Texas News- Deported Infant Case Back in Court
San Francisco Chronicle- Court Takes Case on Rights of Immigrant Defendents
Friday, February 27, 2009
Cocktails and Criticism: Deepak Bhargava--Executive Director of the Center for Community Change--Responds to the Bellingham Raid
Yesterday, Deepak Bhargava wrote a moving response to the Bellingham raid on the Center for Community Change's blog.
Bhargava wrote first of his opportunity to meet with President Obama last week during a cocktail reception for progressive leaders at the Whitehouse. He was pleased at that time with the response he received from Obama regarding comprehensive immigration reform.
Like most of us, however, he was disappointed when he received a call 10 pm on Tuesday night--just as Obama's address to the nation was finishing--that the first worksite raid under the Obama administration had taken place.
And also like most of us, he was pleased by the quick response of Secretary Napolitano and the Whitehouse to call for an investigation of the raid and publicly state that such enforcement tactics are not the Obama administration's immigration strategy.
What I would most like to point to you all, however, is the part of the blog where Bhargava asks "What lessons might we draw from this whole experience?"
He responds:
First, we are not agents of the Obama Administration – or any other politician. Our highest commitment as progressives is to the most vulnerable people in our society, and being progressive means nothing at all if it doesn’t mean standing up for and with them. Second, we shouldn’t expect to get change that we don’t help to make happen. To paraphrase Frederick Douglas, there is not progress without agitation. Third, if we take the view that the Administration is potentially an ally – rather than reflexively assuming bad intent -- and we are clear and specific about what we want to see happen, we can in fact make real progress by working together. I am heartened by what this Administration has gotten done for low-income people in an incredibly short period of time through the recovery bill and SCHIP legislation – and the speed of their response to our concerns about this tragic raid further confirms their sincere commitment to change.
I am also heartened that the President is leading a national conversation on shared responsibility and shared sacrifice – two critical elements of the community values that are at the center of all the work to which we community organizers are passionately committed.
So, maybe cocktails and criticism – in the context of a respectful and real relationship that grows and develops over time — can go together and deliver results.
I think these are important lessons for us all to consider as we move forward in our work for a more just and equitable society. The campaign is over and now it is time for us to create the change that we believe in.
Bhargava wrote first of his opportunity to meet with President Obama last week during a cocktail reception for progressive leaders at the Whitehouse. He was pleased at that time with the response he received from Obama regarding comprehensive immigration reform.
Like most of us, however, he was disappointed when he received a call 10 pm on Tuesday night--just as Obama's address to the nation was finishing--that the first worksite raid under the Obama administration had taken place.
And also like most of us, he was pleased by the quick response of Secretary Napolitano and the Whitehouse to call for an investigation of the raid and publicly state that such enforcement tactics are not the Obama administration's immigration strategy.
What I would most like to point to you all, however, is the part of the blog where Bhargava asks "What lessons might we draw from this whole experience?"
He responds:
First, we are not agents of the Obama Administration – or any other politician. Our highest commitment as progressives is to the most vulnerable people in our society, and being progressive means nothing at all if it doesn’t mean standing up for and with them. Second, we shouldn’t expect to get change that we don’t help to make happen. To paraphrase Frederick Douglas, there is not progress without agitation. Third, if we take the view that the Administration is potentially an ally – rather than reflexively assuming bad intent -- and we are clear and specific about what we want to see happen, we can in fact make real progress by working together. I am heartened by what this Administration has gotten done for low-income people in an incredibly short period of time through the recovery bill and SCHIP legislation – and the speed of their response to our concerns about this tragic raid further confirms their sincere commitment to change.
I am also heartened that the President is leading a national conversation on shared responsibility and shared sacrifice – two critical elements of the community values that are at the center of all the work to which we community organizers are passionately committed.
So, maybe cocktails and criticism – in the context of a respectful and real relationship that grows and develops over time — can go together and deliver results.
I think these are important lessons for us all to consider as we move forward in our work for a more just and equitable society. The campaign is over and now it is time for us to create the change that we believe in.
More Posts on the Bellingham Raid
While the President Addressed the Nation
2/25/2009
The Whitehouse and Department of Homeland Security Respond to the Bellingham Raid
2/26/2009
Congressional Hispanic Congress Hopeful After Meeting With Napolitano
2/27/2009
Cocktails and Criticism: Deepak Bhargava--Executive Director of the Center for Community Change--Responds to the Bellingham Raid
2/27/2009
2/25/2009
The Whitehouse and Department of Homeland Security Respond to the Bellingham Raid
2/26/2009
Congressional Hispanic Congress Hopeful After Meeting With Napolitano
2/27/2009
Cocktails and Criticism: Deepak Bhargava--Executive Director of the Center for Community Change--Responds to the Bellingham Raid
2/27/2009
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Hopeful After Meeting with Napolitano
After a meeting with DHS Secretary Napolitano, The Hill reports that Hispanic lawmakers are hopeful that she will end workplace raids by Immigration and Customs Enfocrement (ICE).
Yesterday, members of the Congressional Hispanic Congress (CHC) held a closed door meeting with Secretary Napolitano. According to members of the CHC, she raised the issue of the Bellingham riad on her own accord and said that she had "grave concerns" over what happened.
Congressman and CHC Immigration Task Force Chairman Luis Gutierrez said the meeting was "very, very constructive. We’re happy....We shared with her our concerns about the raid. She shared with us that she had grave concerns about the manner in which it was carried out and that it’s under evaluation. I think the most important words were that she had ‘grave concerns.'"
The CHC is made up of Hispanic members of Congress who work to advance national and international issues that have an impact on policies related to the Hispanic community. The CHC pushes for comprehensive immigration reform and, right now, they are also focused on scaling back intimidating and agressive enforcement tactics impletmented under the Bush administration.
Yesterday, members of the Congressional Hispanic Congress (CHC) held a closed door meeting with Secretary Napolitano. According to members of the CHC, she raised the issue of the Bellingham riad on her own accord and said that she had "grave concerns" over what happened.
Congressman and CHC Immigration Task Force Chairman Luis Gutierrez said the meeting was "very, very constructive. We’re happy....We shared with her our concerns about the raid. She shared with us that she had grave concerns about the manner in which it was carried out and that it’s under evaluation. I think the most important words were that she had ‘grave concerns.'"
The CHC is made up of Hispanic members of Congress who work to advance national and international issues that have an impact on policies related to the Hispanic community. The CHC pushes for comprehensive immigration reform and, right now, they are also focused on scaling back intimidating and agressive enforcement tactics impletmented under the Bush administration.
More Posts on the Bellingham Raid
Thursday, February 26, 2009
*UPDATE* The Whitehouse and Department of Homeland Security Respond to the Bellingham Raid
While testifying before Congress yesterday, Secretary Napolitano vowed that she would "get to the bottom" of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Bellingham, Washington. As the Washington Times reported, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official stated that "the secretary is not happy and this is not her policy."
In further developments, Whitehouse spokesman Nick Shapiro told the Washington Times that "these raids are not a long term solution." I was also pleased to hear him say that "The president believes we must respect due process and our best values as we enforce the law. The real answer to our broken immigration system is to fix it. The president has said that we will start the immigration reform debate this year, and this continues to be the plan."
This is one of the first statements from the Whitehouse signaling that they plan to follow through with their campaign promise of pursuing comprehensive immigration reform during the first year in office.
It appears that Obama does still get it. But we need to make sure that his "getting it" turns into actual policy.
In further developments, Whitehouse spokesman Nick Shapiro told the Washington Times that "these raids are not a long term solution." I was also pleased to hear him say that "The president believes we must respect due process and our best values as we enforce the law. The real answer to our broken immigration system is to fix it. The president has said that we will start the immigration reform debate this year, and this continues to be the plan."
This is one of the first statements from the Whitehouse signaling that they plan to follow through with their campaign promise of pursuing comprehensive immigration reform during the first year in office.
It appears that Obama does still get it. But we need to make sure that his "getting it" turns into actual policy.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
While the President Addressed the Nation
Last night President Obama addressed the joint chambers of Congress laying out his administration's priorities for the next year. The entire speech focused on the economy, but emphasized energy, healthcare, and education as the top three areas of focus--all issues that I strongly support.
I was disappointed, however, that President Obama failed to mention immigration even once during his address.
I was even more disappointed that on a day when he calls for the U.S. to take responsibility for its future once more, for its people to join in rebuilding their country, the first worksite raid of the Obama administration took place in Bellingham, Washington.
In their usual militarized and heavy-handed fashion (including the helicopter), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided Yamato Engine Specialists arresting 28 undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Central America.
As it appears now, they are attempting to charge these individuals with identity fraud, which--unlike "unlawful presence" or "entry without inspection" --is a criminal offense. This is the same tactic ICE piloted in Postville, Iowa last summer, a tactic that's legality is currently being reviewed by the U.S Supreme Court.
But the first worksite raid of the Obama administration is especially disappointing given that during the campaign last summer Obama said:
"When communities are terrorized by ICE immigration raids, when nursing mothers are torn from their babies, when children come home from school to find their parents missing, when people are detained without access to legal counsel, when all that is happening, the system just isn’t working, and we need to change it."
And I can't say that Obama doesn't get it now. As I posted last week, when he was on the radio show El Piolín por la mañana, Obama clearly spoke of the need for immigration reform precisely in light of the current state of the economy.
I think he does get it. But as his address to the nation last night showed, it is not currently a priority of the Obama administration. This is problematic for two reasons:
- Without reform, raids like that the one that took place yesterday in Bellingham will continue to terrorize our communities, tearing mothers from their children, separating families, placing hardworking members of our communities in detention centers with inadequate standards, and even placing further strain on local economies.
- By not prioritizing humane immigration reform, immigration will continue to be a divisive issue used to derail critical initiatives of the administration like healthcare and education.
How will we move forward in what is best for our country without finding a way to include and recognize core members of our communities?
I wish Obama would answer that. Even President Bush left the Whitehouse saying one of his biggest regrets was that he did not push for immigration reform first, before social security reform. I don't want the Obama administration to leave with such regrets. I want change.
But I can say that I am left hopeful by the continued and growing efforts of communities around the country to speak out on the issue of immigration. As we saw last week, over 150 communities nationwide held prayer vigils calling for Congress to act on humane immigration reform. And in April, another national grassroots effort will take place in the form of "Neighbor-to-Neighbor" in-district visits with Congresspeople.
May theirs be the winds of change that move us forward.
UPDATES
The Whitehouse and Department of Homeland Security Respond to the Bellingham Raid [Updated 2/26/2009]
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Hopeful After Meeting with Napolitano [Updated 2/27/2009]
Cocktails and Criticism: Deepak Bhargava--Executive Director of the Center for Community Change--Responds to the Bellingham Raid [Updated 2/27/2009]
The Whitehouse and Department of Homeland Security Respond to the Bellingham Raid [Updated 2/26/2009]
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Hopeful After Meeting with Napolitano [Updated 2/27/2009]
Cocktails and Criticism: Deepak Bhargava--Executive Director of the Center for Community Change--Responds to the Bellingham Raid [Updated 2/27/2009]
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