Heads
of denominations reveal joint



declaration
of  resistance



to mass
deportations and gridlock in Congress on Immigration Reform, signed by over 100
faith groups and leaders.

Ministers, Rabbis,
Sisters Religious, and religious leaders gathered and led and interfaith
service on Sunday, October 20th, to unite in a commitment to resist a “cruel
and broken” immigration system, and calling on Congress to break the gridlock
on immigration reform.  The interfaith service was held at Central Spanish
Baptist Church in Chicago.

“We will resist
‘business as usual’ while mass deportations continue and immigration reform
efforts remain paralyzed in Congress,” declared Pastor Lilian Amaya of
Ministerio Hazel in Chicago.  “Non-violent acts of civil disobedience,
fasts, vigils, and offering sanctuary in our houses of worship are some of the
ways we can honor God’s call to justice and protection for the most
vulnerable.” Rabbi Laurence Edwards shared, “we have witnessed an
immigration system which tears families apart…we renew our commitment to
uphold our sacred traditions by resisting injustice.”

Rev. Dr. Larry
Greenfield, Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches, led a prayer
for protection of families. “Lord, protect the sanctity of the family, and let
no person threaten or separate the bonds of love which emanate from you.”

After an interfaith
service, the group held a procession on the street, led by two members of the
coalition dressed in orange jump suits, signifying liberation of the
captives.  “Holy One, set us all free to live wholly dependent on you, to
follow your law, and to work together for your peace,” prayed Sr. Margaret
Hansen, Province Leader of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters.

Many of these leaders
have met with Congress representatives, including Representative Roskam and
Representative Lipinski, to ask for their support on an Immigration Reform that
will include a path to citizenship.

The event, organized
by the Chicago Religious Leadership Network, was a gathering of over 20
congregations and religious communities who have declared themselves “Immigrant
Welcoming Congregations.”  These congregations pledge to pray and take
action toward justice and mercy for immigrants.  Martinelli Quincenella,
member of Central Spanish Baptist Church, urged more congregations to join in
the coalition. “We’d like everyone to know the invitation is open to everyone
to work together for dignity for the immigrant.”

When my friends and family found out that I’d partaken in an act
of civil disobedience this past Tuesday, their immediate reaction was to flood
me with questions about the arrest. A couple of emotions and sentiments were
expressed, much of which were either excitement and/or concern. While the civil
disobedience act itself allowed me to experience strong feelings of solidarity
and oneness, to me the occurrences and processes leading up to the action
itself were every bit as important and incredible.

My experience began with about another 150 people partaking in a
pilgrimage walk from ICE Headquarters in Chicago to the Broadview Detention
Center. Along our half-marathon walk (13 miles), during our communal lunches
and conversations, while were are huddled outside of the Broadview Detention
Center, and up to the moments leading up to, and during the civil disobedience
act itself, I saw and talked some of the most incredibly inspiring and
empowering community leaders I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

It was my personal decision to partake in act of civil
disobedience near the Broadview Detention Center out of a desire to stand in
solidarity with the families and individuals experience unimaginable suffering
and who are those most directly affected by our current immigration system.
Everything that I saw and experienced along the way only reassured me of my
decision to partake in an act of civil disobedience. The last two days and all
the time and effort that went into organizing these actions were all for a
precise end. As the crowds so excitedly reiterated time and time again,
“Two Million is Too Many. Stop Deportations Now!”

At the end of the day, it was the inspiring community leaders and
activists, the community members and allies, the marchers and participants, and
undocumented, unafraid, families and individuals, who really stole the show!
When one considers all this and all the work and community organizing that is
yet to come but most certainly will come, all we did was simply get
arrested. ​

Last night, President Obama announced an executive action
that will provide an estimated 4.4 million immigrants temporary relief from
deportation.

Under the President’s actions, age-caps for the Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (DACA) program will be expanded to cover for an additional 300,000
people, protections under DACA will be renewable every three years (previously
two), Secure Communities will be discontinued, and Deferred Action will be
extended to certain parents of United States Citizens and Legally Permanent
Residents. For more detailed information on administrative action, please click

here

.

Yesterday’s announcement is a testament to the hard work of pro-immigrant
organizations across the country, particularly that of undocumented-led
community groups which have fought for these gains through courageous, daring,
and, oftentimes, unconventional tactics.

The Chicago Religious Leadership
Network (CRLN), a network of over 50 congregations and religious communities
across Chicagoland, is committed to participating in the “IL is Ready
Campaign.” Through this campaign, member congregations will be providing
information sessions on the President’s executive announcement and working to
provide legal assistance sessions once applications become available.

While we take a moment to celebrate this hard-earned victory, as people of
faith, we also remember what our sacred texts have taught us: every person
matters and is sacred.

There are nearly 12 million undocumented peoples living in the United States.
Yesterday, the president reminded us that we were all once strangers. Today, we
remind him that principles of our faiths mandate us to love all of our
neighbors, including those who do not meet the specified eligibility criteria.
Minister Steve Van Kuiken, Senior Minister of Lake Street Church, a sanctuary
congregation in Evanston, Illinois stated, “we celebrate the fact that
millions of immigrants will no longer live in constant fear of detention and
deportation. We will continue to offer sanctuary because there are still
millions of other immigrants who live and work in this country still facing the
threat of deportation, workplace exploitation, and the constant fear that their
families will be uprooted or torn apart.”

Faith calls us to be thankful for yesterday’s actions, but faith also requires
us to continue to remain steadfast in our commitment with the undocumented
community. While the protections offered by the President are long
overdue, these actions are not enough. As people of faith we call on our
elected officials, our President, and our Congress to take into account full
human stories, to act with forgiveness and redemption, and to allow all
undocumented immigrants who contribute to their communities to apply for temporary
relief.  As we take a moment ourselves to recall this, today the CRLN
reiterates its commitment to continue to apply pressure until the day comes
when there is #Not1More.

For basic information on administrative relief and who is eleible, download our attached Executive Action Cheat Sheets. Available in English and Spanish.