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15

December
Actualizaciones del mes de Abril- DDHH Honduras
December 15, 2016 admin Edu. Central America

  • Caso de Berta Caceres

COPINH denuncia la reiterada voluntad del Estado hondureño de mantener en la impunidad el caso de Berta Cáceres Flores. Lea su declaración aquí: (en español solamente).

http://copinhonduras.blogspot.it/2017/04/el-copinh-denuncia-la-reiterada.html

El 7 de abril, dos cartas de parte de Senadores y Representantes de los Estados Unidos fueron enviadas al Secretario de Relaciones Exteriores de los Estados Unidos, Rex Tillerson,

expresando su preocupación por la situación de los defensores de derechos humanos en Honduras.

78 políticos estadounidenses exigen que la ayuda militar y policial a Honduras sea retenida hasta que la situación de los defensores de derechos humanos mejore drásticamente en el país.

Parte del personal y miembros de CRLN participaron en una delegación de La Voz de los de Abajo en marzo, como observadores de derechos humanos en una marcha de COPINH y sus aliados ante la Corte Suprema de Honduras. Entregaron una carta que contenía una impugnación constitucional a la legalidad de los Decretos Legislativos que autorizaba el Proyecto Hidroeléctrico Agua Zarca en el Río Gualcarque, algo que Berta había querido hacer antes de ser asesinada. Eso fue el 1 de marzo, y la Sala Constitucional aún no lo ha admitido para la consideración por el Tribunal Supremo.

* Karla Lara y Melissa Cardoza, feministas, organizadoras de justicia social en Honduras y amigas cercanas de Berta Cáceres, están realizando una gira estadounidense del 20 de abril al 23 de mayo. El libro de Melissa Cardoza, 13 Colores de la Resistencia Hondureña, cuenta trece historias de mujeres que se unieron a la resistencia después del golpe de Estado del 2009 respaldado por Estados Unidos. Ella estará de gira junto con su compañera de la Red de Defensoras de Honduras, Karla Lara,  la amada cantante hondureña de jazz y folk , que aparece en una de las historias del libro y ha sido un icono y voz de la resistencia.

Estarán en Chicago con CRLN el 30 de abril, únase a nosotros.

Lea más sobre Karla y Melissa y su trabajo

aquí.

Elecciones Nacionales del 2017

El Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) es un aliado del gobierno de Juan Orlando Hernández, al permitirle ser parte de las elecciones del 2017, a pesar de que la reelección está prohibida por la Constitución hondureña. Ahora, el TSE quiere prohibir el Partido Anti-Corrupción (PAC), un importante partido de la oposición, de las elecciones nacionales de noviembre. El TSE quiere que el PAC celebre elecciones de liderazgo interno el 21 de mayo. Sin embargo, esta fecha dará a la oposición política sólo cuatro días para decidir sobre una alianza política, lo que hace extremadamente difícil formar esa alianza. Para el 25 de mayo, todas las alianzas deben estar listadas oficialmente.

Comunidades Indigenas

La Relatora Especial de las Naciones Unidas sobre Pueblos Indígenas, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, visitó Honduras del 16 al 21 de abril. Se reunió con las más altas autoridades gubernamentales nacionales, representantes de los pueblos indígenas, organizaciones de la sociedad civil y el sector privado. Su primera visita al país fue en noviembre de 2015. Esta segunda visita fue un seguimiento de las observaciones y recomendaciones sobre el proceso para regular el consentimiento libre, previo e informado de los pueblos indígenas y afro hondureños. Ella presentó recomendaciones al gobierno hondureño,

y muchos temen que estas recomendaciones sean ignoradas una vez más.

El gobierno hondureño está actualmente redactando una ley de consentimiento libre, previo e informado (CLPI). Sin embargo, organizaciones indígenas, como OFRANEH (Garifuna) y COPINH (Lenca),

denuncian que el gobierno está marginando a las comunidades indígenas del proceso

y en su lugar la administración de Juan Orlando está tomando el liderazgo.

Ha habido un reciente ataque violento contra líderes sindicales en la empresa internacional Fyffes. El Centro de Solidaridad informa que “Moisés Sánchez, secretario general de la rama exportadora de melón del Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Agroindustria y Similares (STAS), y su hermano, sindicalista Misael Sánchez, dicen que fueron atacados la semana pasada por seis hombres con machetes mientras salían de la oficina sindical en Choluteca al Sur del pais, donde los trabajadores agrícolas cosechan melones y otros productos de exportación “.

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15

December
End the embargo to help the people of Cuba and the US!
December 15, 2016 admin Edu. Cuba

Under the guise of “helping the Cuban people,”  the current president has reinstated some restrictions on travel and trade that had been lifted by executive order during the Obama administration. One of the restrictions announced forbids individuals from travelling under the people to people travel category, requiring them to travel with a group. Another change forbids U.S. citizens or companies to do business with tourist sites in Cuba controlled by the the Cuban military. For more information click here.

As faith communities and human rights organizations in Cuba, the U.S. and around the world have long asserted, the human rights of Cubans and the people of the U.S. would best be served by lifting all travel restrictions and finally ending the rest of the embargo.

Congress needs to act to end these restrictions permanently!

There are currently bi-partisan bills in the House and Senate to finally end the travel restrictions and the embargo.  In Illinois we are concentrating on the House of Representatives, since IL Senators are (or soon will be co-sponsors of the Senate bills.


Now while the restrictions are in the news, take a moment to call your Illinois Representative
(click here to find their contact info) and ask them to co-sponsor three bi-partisan bills in the House to end restrictions on travel and trade:

HR 525,

HR 442

and

HR 351

For more info on bills, current Illinois sponsors and a sample script click here.

Working together we have made a lot of progress and we will keep working until these harmful restrictions are ended!

Questions?
Contact Marilyn McKenna at the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) at 773-293-3680 or mmckenna@crln.org with questions or if you need assistance. Thanks to the Latin American Working Group for providing information for this alert.

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15

December
Action Alert: Contact officials to demand protection for Rio Blanco
December 15, 2016 admin Edu. Central America
CRLN  is seriously concerned about increasing levels of violent threats against the Lenca indigenous inhabitants of Rio Blanco, who have been resisting the illegal construction of a hydroelectric dam across a river on their lands. This is exactly the type of escalating threats that ended in the murder of Berta Caceres, so it is imperative that we act now. We received a request from the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) for international voices to add to COPINH’s complaints to the Honduran authorities about the threats and crops destruction and to ask them to act to protect members of the Rio Blanco community.. Apparently, the police have started accompanying armed men with guns responsible for the threats rather than arresting them.
 Please email the Human Rights officer at the U.S. Embassy, Jason Smith,

or call the Embassy at 011 504 2236-9320 and ask to be connected to Jason Smith. Please also call the Honduran Ambassador to the U.S., Jorge Alberto Milla Reyes, 1-202 966-7702. You can use the following script:
“I am very concerned about the increasing frequency of violent threats by men with guns against members of the community of Rio Blanco, Intibuca, including death threats against the children of Francisco Javier Sanchez. Threats of increasing frequency preceded the murder of Berta Caceres, who worked with this community, so the threats must be taken very seriously. The community has identified one individual making threats–Franklin Madrid–and has asked for the authorities to arrest him and any others  making threats. Instead, the police have accompanied those making the threats.The U.S. funds training for the Honduran police. If they are abusing their positions as law enforcement, they should not receive U.S. funds. Please call on the Honduran authorities to protect the lives of people in Rio Blanco by arresting and bringing to justice those who are harassing them.”
 The COPINH letter follows:
COPINH urgently communicates to the national and international community our serious worry about the defenseless state of the Lenca people in Río Blanco, faced with armed men and constant threats. We insist that the authorities take immediate action to protect the physical wellbeing and lives of COPINH members in Río Blanco, who continue to defend their ancestral territory against the invasion of people linked to the DESA corporation.



In recent months, and especially in the past few weeks, the threats against COPINH members have intensified, especially while they are working on their ancestral lands in Vega del Achiotal and Vega del Culatón, sites where the DESA corporation has invaded Lenca territory to build the Agua Zarca project.
The Madrid family, who is originally from Santa Bárbara, illegally took over Lenca territory and sold part of it to the DESA corporation. Several of these people have been employees of the DESA corporation and have been put to work threatening members of COPINH, including our sister Berta Cáceres. We remind you that one of them threatened that they were going to “set things straight with Berta one way or another” just a few months before her assassination, and they warned us to look out for the consequences.
We denounce that

Franklin Madrid has pointed firearms at COPINH members in Río Blanco and fired into the air close to COPINH members while they worked their ancestral lands.

The frequency of the threats is increasing and the COPINH members are in a state of complete vulnerability against the armed men who are openly threatening and intimidating them. Today, June 21st, in the morning hours, several armed men once again threatened COPINH members while they were working at Vega del Culaton.

We alert you that one of the armed men threatened to kill at any moment the children of Francisco Javier Sánchez, Coordinator of the Indigenous Council of Río Blanco and member of the General Coordination of COPINH.
COPINH has filed complaints with the authorities regarding the threats and destruction of the corn crops. Nonetheless, to this day, those responsible continue to be free.

Instead of penalizing those who make violent threats, the police have instead accompanied them.
We also denounce the responsibility of the Municipality of Intibucá for having illegally granted land rights on ancestral Lenca territory at the Vega del Achiotal, facilitating the invasion of Lenca territory.

We demand that the authorities take immediate action to secure the life and physical wellbeing of the Lenca people of Río Blanco and to resolve the situations denounced by COPINH.

We call on the national and international community to speak with the Honduran authorities and embassies to demand that they Honduran state take immediate action and prosecute those who are threatening the Lenca people with firearms.
·         Oscar Chinchilla, Attorney General – 504-2221-3099
·         Julian Pacheco, Secretary of Security – 504-9456-3699
·         National Human Rights Commission (CONADEH)
Tegucigalpa: 504-2231-0204,

central@conadeh.hn
Intibucá: 504-2783-0039,

intibuca@conadeh.hn

 


No more martyrs!

We demand immediate action before it is too late.
Berta lives on, COPINH is still strong!
With the ancestral strength of Berta, Lempira, Mota and Etempica, we raise our voices full of life, justice, dignity, freedom and peace!
From Río Blanco, Intibucá, June 21st, 2017
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15

December
Contacte a Oficiales Para Demandar la Proteccion de Rio Blanco
December 15, 2016 admin Edu. Central America

CRLN está seriamente preocupado por el incremento de amenazas contra los habitantes indígenas Lenca del Río Blanco quienes han resistido la  construcción ilegal de una presa hidroeléctrica sobre sus ríos y tierras. Este es  el tipo de amenazas que han escalado y  acabaron en el asesinato de Berta Cáceres, es imperativo que actuamos ahora. Hemos recibido una solicitud del consulado cívico popular y de las organizaciones indígenas de Honduras (COPINH) quienes  piden por el apoyo  internacional para dar a conocer sus quejas ante las autoridades hondureñas sobre las amenazas y la destrucción de sus cultivos. También se debe asegurar la protección  de los miembros de la comunidad de Río Blanco. Aparentemente, la policía ha estado protegiendo a los hombres armados cuales son responsables de las amenazas en vez de arrestarlos.

Si usted habla español, por favor llame a cualquier autoridad nombrada en la carta de COPINH. Puede utilizar el siguiente guión:

“Yo estoy muy preocupado sobre las frecuentes amenazas hechas por hombres armados contra los miembros de la comunidad de Río Blanco, Intibucá, incluyendo amenazas de muerte contra los hijos de Francisco Javier Sanchez. Amenazas cuya frecuencia llevaron al asesinato de Berta Cáceres, quien trabajaba con esta comunidad, entonces estas amenazas tienen que ser tomadas seriamente. La comunidad ha identificado a uno de los  amenazadores- Franklin Madrid- y  han pedido que las autoridades lo arresten al igual que a  los otros amenazadores. En vez de arrestarlos la policía los está acompañando y protegiendo. Por favor llame a su gobierno para enjuiciar  aquellos individuos que han amenazado a miembros de la comunidad de Río Blanco.”


Carta de COPINH:

El COPINH comunica con urgencia a la comunidad nacional e internacional nuestra grave preocupación por el estado de indefensión en que se encuentra el pueblo Lenca de Río Blanco frente a hombres armados y amenazas constantes.  Instamos a las autoridades que tomen acción inmediata para salvaguardar la integridad física y la vida de los miembros de COPINH en Río Blanco, quienes siguen defendiendo su territorio ancestral ante la invasión de personas vinculadas con la empresa DESA.
En los últimos meses, y especialmente las últimas semanas se ha intensificado las amenazas en contra de los miembros de COPINH, especialmente mientras trabajan su territorio ancestral en la Vega del Achiotal y la Vega del Culatón, sitios donde la empresa DESA había invadido territorio Lenca para intentar construir el Proyecto “Agua Zarca”.

Miembros de la familia Madrid, quienes son originalmente de Santa Bárbara, ilegalmente acapararon territorio Lenca y vendieron parte de eso a la empresa DESA.

Varios de estas personas han sido empleados de la empresa DESA y se han dedicado a amenazar a miembros de COPINH, incluso a la compañera Berta Cáceres.  Recordamos que uno de ellos amenazó que se iban a arreglar las cosas con Berta por las buenas o las malas pocos meses antes de su asesinato y advirtieron de estar atentos a las consecuencias. Denunciamos que

Franklin Madrid ha apuntado armas de fuego a miembros de COPINH en Río Blanco e hizo disparos al aire cerca de miembros de COPINH mientras que trabajan en su territorio ancestral.
La frecuencia de las amenazas va aumentando y los compañeros de COPINH están en un estado completo de vulnerabilidad frente los hombres armados que abiertamente les amenazan y hostigan.  El día de hoy, 21 de junio, en horas de la mañana, varios hombres armados amenazaron otra vez a los miembros de COPINH mientras trabajaban en la Vega del Culaton.

Alertamos que uno de los hombres armados amenazó de matar en cualquier momento a los hijos de Francisco Javier Sánchez, Coordinador del Consejo Indígena de Rio Blanco y miembro de la Coordinación General del COPINH.
El COPINH ha presentado denuncias a las autoridades sobre las amenazas y destrucción de los cultivos de maíz,

sin embargo, hasta la fecha los responsables siguen libres.

En vez de sancionar a los que amenazan con violencia, la policía les han acompañado.
Denunciamos de igual manera la responsabilidad de la Municipalidad de Intibucá en otorgar dominios plenos ilegalmente en territorio ancestral Lenca en la Vega del Achiotal, facilitando la invasión de territorio Lenca.

Exigimos a las autoridades que tomen acción inmediata para salvaguardar la vida y integridad física del pueblo Lenca de Río Blanco y resolver las denuncias del COPINH.

Invitamos a la comunidad nacional e internacional a que se comunican con las autoridades hondureñas y sus Embajadas para exigir al estado de Honduras que tomen acción inmediata y proceden contra las personas que están amenazando con armas de fuego al pueblo Lenca.

Fiscal General Oscar Chinchilla
Ministerio Publico
504-2221-3099

Julian Pacheco
Secretario de Seguridad
(504) 9456-3699

Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (CONADEH)
504-2231-0204,

5

04-2783-0039

¡


No queremos más mártires!

Exigimos acción antes de que sea tarde.
¡Berta Vive, COPINH sigue!
¡Con la fuerza ancestral de Berta, Lempira, Mota y Etempica se levantan nuestras voces
llenas de vida, justicia, dignidad, libertad y paz!
Dado en Rio Blanco, Intibucá, a los 21 días del mes de junio 2017
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15

December
Immigration Court Watch Program
December 15, 2016 admin Edu. Immigration

COURT WATCH

was founded by Sisters Pat Murphy and Joanne Persch of the Sisters of Mercy and Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants. They were moved by their faith and conscience to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities, especially those who remain in detention, who are often the most vulnerable and invisible.

OBJECTIVES

of the Court Watch Program are to stand in solidarity and serve as a presence in Detained
Immigrant Court to let those involved in this system know that we are watching and we care about what happens to our immigrant sisters and brothers.  By serving as a public witness we aim to
bring transparency to this broken system and educate outside communities about the
current conditions of immigrants in detention. It is our goal that through monitoring and documenting our observations we also support the urgent and imperative need for comprehensive immigration
reform.


WHO IS BEING DETAINED?

Each year, as many as 400,000 immigrants are detained by Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) and they often remain detained for some months unless they
become eligible for bond.

Many of these immigrants have no criminal histories and are being detained on minor charges as well as the civil charge of entering the country without authorization. They are pursuing various forms of legal relief that are available to immigrants, such as asylum, cancellation of removal, waiver of removal, or relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT).


WHAT IS DETENTION COURT LIKE?

Detention Court is located in the west Loop at 525 W.Van Buren, corner of Canal, in Ste.
500; (312) 697-5800 ext 0.  Immigrants in detention are frequently not present in the courtroom for their hearings.  Rather, they appear via Video-Teleconferencing (VTC).

As many of the detainees are non-native speakers of English, they
communicate via a translator, who may either be present in the courtroom or be
connected telephonically through a translation service.


YOU CAN BECOME A COURT WATCHER!

In order to stand in solidarity for immigrant justice we must provide support, share the voice of immigrants in detention with the public, and let the Department of Justice know that we are
watching. Immigration Detention Court hearings are held Monday – Friday from 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, except for Federal holidays. Contact Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants or email icdichicago.org.


Immigration

Court Watch is a program of the Interfaith
Committee for Detained Immigrants

www.
icdichicago.org

FY
Statistical Year Book, U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office of
Immigration Review, March 2005

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15

December
Immigration Organization Resource List
December 15, 2016 admin Edu. Immigration

Faith-Based Organizations

Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition:

CNSC, a project of the Chicago
Religious Leadership Network on Latin America, is an interfaith coalition of
religious leaders, congregations and communities, called by our faith to
respond actively and publicly to the suffering of our immigrant sisters and
brothers.


Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform:

CCIR is a campaign to mobilize Catholic institutions, individuals, and other persons of good faith in support of a broad legalization program and comprehensive immigration reform.

www.justiceforimmigrants.org/


Interfaith Immigration Coalition:

IIC is a partnership of faith-based organizations committed to enacting fair and humane immigration reform that reflects our mandate to welcome the stranger and treat all human beings with dignity and respect.

http://www.interfaithimmigration.org

 

Interfaith Worker Justice:

IWJ advocates for justice for all workers in the U.S. – native-born citizens, legal residents, and those who are forced to live and work in the shadows, undocumented workers and their families.

http://www.iwj.org



Jewish Council on Urban Affairs:

JCUA combats poverty, racism and anti-Semitism in partnership with Chicago’s diverse communities.


www.jcua.org


Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Services:

Witnessing to God’s love for all people, we stand with and advocate for migrants and refugees, transforming communities through ministries of service and justice.

www.lirs.org

Illinois Organizations


Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights:

ICIRR is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.


http://www.icirr.org


Immigrant Youth Justice League:

A Chicago-based network that represents undocumented youth and allies in the demand for immigrant rights through education, resource-gathering, and youth mobilization.

www.iyjl.org

National Organizations


Center for New Community:

A national organization committed to building community, justice, and equality. The Center is grounded in many faith traditions, and builds community where the dignity and value of all humanity is manifest.


http://www.newcomm.org


The Fair Immigration Reform Movement:

FIRM is a national coalition of grassroots organizations fighting for immigrant rights at the local, state and federal level.


http://www.fairimmigration.wordpress.com


National Immigrant Justice Center:

NIJC provides direct legal services to and advocates for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education.


http://www.immigrantjustice.org


Reform Immigration for America:

A national network of advocacy groups. If you sign up for updates on this site, you will be sent updates on events and campaigns specific to your zip code.


http://reformimmigrationforamerica.org/

Detention and Due Process Organizations


Detention Watch Network:

DWN focuses on immigration detention issues. They post information about due-process-related concerns in proposed comprehensive reform legislation.


www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/


Rights Working Group:

RWG strives to restore the American commitment to protect civil liberties and human rights for all people in the U.S. RWG has grown a strong coalition of civil liberties, human rights and civil rights, national security, and immigrant rights organizations to work hand in hand to restore due process.


www.rightsworkinggroup.org

U.S./Mexico Border Organizations


Coalición de Derechos Humanos:

Coalición de Derechos Humanos (“The Human Rights Coalition”) is a grassroots organization which promotes respect for human/civil rights and fights the militarization of the Southern Border region, discrimination, and human rights abuses by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials affecting U.S. and non-U.S. citizens alike.


www.derechoshumanosaz.net/


No More Deaths:

No More Deaths is an organization whose mission is to end death and suffering on the U.S./Mexico border through civil initiative: the conviction that people of conscience must work openly and in community to uphold fundamental human rights.


www.nomoredeaths.org/


BorderLinks:

An international leader in experiential education that raises awareness and inspires action around global political economics.  Organizes “delegations” to visit the border region or Chicago, IL to understand migration issues first-hand.

www.BorderLinks.org

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15

December
IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTER INFORMATION
December 15, 2016 admin Edu. Immigration



INFORMATION TO FIND SOMEONE IN DETENTION


Below you will find contact information for groups who can help you find family, friends or members of your congregations in detention.

The

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Hotline – 1-855-435-7693 or 855-HELP-MY-F(amily) — is a good place to start.

It connects families in crisis with reliable and immediate information, referrals to legal, ministry, and social services – while also providing a long-term connection to someone who can help them locally. Click

here

for the ICIRR website.

Contact the

Interfaith Committee for Detained Immigrants (ICDI)

–

1-773-779-6011 ext 3846​ –

for information about detention centers, weekly vigils at detention centers, and how to get care packages to loved ones in detention. Click

here

for the ICDI website.

You can also try to locate individuals through the

ICE Online Detainee Locator System

at

https://locator.ice.gov

, by calling the ICE Helpline at 1-888-351-4024, or by calling the consulate of the detainee’s home country.


Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)

: For information on detainees housed at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, family members and attorneys should contact Chicago field office: 101 West Congress Parkway, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60605,

Phone:

(312) 347-2400


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


INFORMACION PARA ENCONTRAR ALGUIEN EN DETENCION


A continuación encontrará información de contacto de grupos que pueden ayudarle a encontrar a familiares, amigxs o miembros de sus congregaciones en detención.


La Coalición de Illinois para Inmigrantes y Refugiados

(ICIRR por sus siglas en ingles) tiene una línea de ayuda para familias  – 1-855-435-7693 o 855-HELP-MY-F (amily) – este es un buen lugar para comenzar. ICIRR Conecta a las familias en crisis con información confiable e inmediata, proporciona referencias a servicios legales, ministeriales y sociales – al mismo tiempo que provee una conexión a largo plazo con alguien que pueda ayudarles localmente.

Haga clic aquí para ver el sitio web de ICIRR.

Comuníquese con el

Comité Interreligioso para Inmigrantes Detenidos

(ICDI) 1-773-779-6011, extensión 3846- para obtener información sobre centros de detención, vigilias semanales en los centros de detención y cómo mandar paquetes de atención a sus seres queridos en detención.

Haga clic aquí para ver el sitio web de ICDI.

También puede tratar de localizar a personas a través del

Sistema en línea de localización de detenidos de ICE

en

https://locator.ice.gov

, llamando a la línea de ayuda de ICE al 1-888-351-4024 o llamando al consulado del país de origen del detenido.


Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)

: Familiares y abogados buscando información sobre personas detenidas con El Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos (Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE) pueden contactar la oficina central: 101 West Congress Parkway, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60605,

Teléfono:

(312) 347-2400

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15

December
Action Alert: Immigration Bill Senate Floor Debate
December 15, 2016 admin Edu. Immigration





ACTION ALERT: Now is the time!


Call Your Senators EVERY DAY until Immigration
Reform Passes!


Call

1-866-940-2439


(or
202-224-3121)

Feel free to use this sample script:


“I am from [City, State, Congregation], and as a person of faith, I urge the Senator to vote YES for the bipartisan immigration reform bill. I urge the Senator to protect the refugee and asylum provisions from negative amendments, and to support amendments that would reunite families, reform enforcement practices to be more humane, and make the path to citizenship more accessible.”


Background:

The Senate will be considering amendments to the bipartisan immigration reform bill as early as
Monday, June 10th, and voting on the bill in late June. Key amendments will be
considered regarding who is eligible for the path to citizenship, social
services available to immigrants, intrusive enforcement practices and border
militarization, and changes that could negatively impact refugees and asylum
seekers. We need 60 votes to pass positive amendments; 41 votes to defeat
negative amendments; and a final 60 votes for immigration reform to pass in the
Senate.

Amendments will be considered very quickly, so it’s important that your Senators hear from you NOW and EVERY DAY until the Senate passes immigration reform! Your Representatives
also need to hear from you, as many worry that the House will not support a
pathway to citizenship for our undocumented community members. You can find
your Senators and Representatives’ direct contact information at

www.senate.gov 

and

www.house.gov

.

During the amendment process, we made more than 3,000 calls, and were a big part of
defeating the worst amendments and gaining modest improvements to the bill. We
need to escalate the number of calls made during the upcoming debate and vote
on the Senate floor. ALL Senators must hear from their constituents who support
immigration reform that reform must prioritize family unity and create a clear
and accessible pathway to citizenship.


Call

1-866-940-2439


to be connected with your Senators.

Feel free to use this sample script:


“I am from [City,
State, Congregation], and as a person of faith, I urge the Senator to vote YES
for the bipartisan immigration reform bill. I urge the Senator to protect the
refugee and asylum provisions from negative amendments, and to support
amendments that would reunite families, reform enforcement practices to be more
humane, and make the path to citizenship more accessible.”

Follow @CRLN_LA on Twitter and “like” the CRLN-Chicago Religious Leadership
Network on Latin America or Chicago New Sanctuary
Coalition on Facebook to receive the most up-to-date alerts on amendments being
considered in the Senate floor debate. Find Your Senators’ Twitter names on their websites
http://www.senate.gov and urge them to vote YES on S.744 by tweeting @[their twitter
name].

Ex: “@Sen_JoeManchin As a
West Virginian & person of faith I urge you to support #pathtocitizenship #immigration
reform #cir”

Also, consider writing
a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in support of immigration
reform, urging your Senators and Representatives to be champions for family
unity, refugees and asylum seekers, a pathway to citizenship, and more humane enforcement
practices. Host prayer vigils and other faithful actions near your Senator or
Representatives’ office, and get your community involved by writing letters and
spreading this alert far and wide. For resources and more information, go to
www.crln.org.

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The Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN).

  • Tel: +773-293-2964
  • Fax: +773-293-3677
  • Email: crln@crln.org