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ACTIONS
& UPDATES _______________
 New Sanctuary Cities
Honor Elvira Arellano
In
the last six months, new interfaith sanctuary movement coalitions
have emerged in 24 communities around the nation, inspired and
motivated by Elvira Arellano's courage, faith and tenacity, as
well as the vision and support of her congregation and pastor.
In
August, after 15 days of prayer and fasting, Elvira felt called
to leave the sanctuary of her Chicago, IL storefront church and
confront California legislators Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House,
and Zoe Lofgren, chair of the subcommittee on immigration. While
in Los Angeles, she met with and encouraged the families there
in congregational sanctuary. On August 19, Elvira was captured
on a city street and deported.
Homeland
Security hoped it could silence Elvira by a quick deportation.
Instead its actions have galvanized those who recognize the brokenness
and unjustness of the nation's current immigration system. Many
who were demoralized by Congress' inaction this summer have renewed
their hope and begun pressuring Congress anew.
This
Fall there will be many opportunities to honor Elvira Arellano
and publicly challenge our nation to address the crisis in immigration
that splits apart hard-working families like Elvira and her son.
Elvira has called for a National
Day of Prayer on September 12. Local sanctuary coalitions
are supporting the day of prayer, although public events will
vary because of existing preparations for and celebrations of
Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan. Some local sanctuary city coalitions
will join the protest in Washington, DC. Some will participate
in local events. Still others are planning special prayer services
and educational forums. A sample written prayer, is available
on the website, giving thanks for the leadership of Elvira Arellano
and praying for national leadership to fix our broken immigration
system.
Conversations
are underway to plan additional actions and events in mid-October,
tentatively scheduled for October 12. As more details are available,
they will be posted on the website.
Elvira
Arellano Arrest Decried by Faith Community
August 20, 2007
Immigration activist Elvira Arellano, who was arrested by U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents yesterday afternoon
in Los Angeles, has been deported.
 After a year
in Sanctuary, Arellano was in Los Angeles to join forces with
New Sanctuary Movement families to urge the California delegation
in Congress and Speaker Nancy Pelosi to fix the nation's broken
immigration system.
"We are deeply saddened by ICE's action and we are praying
for Elvira and the hundreds of thousands of families that are
in jeopardy of being ripped apart," said Kim Bobo, Executive
Director, Interfaith Worker Justice. "We call on ICE to stop
raids and deportation until the Congress enacts fair and comprehensive
immigration reform."
"We invite people of faith to join the New Sanctuary Movement
and to contact their representatives to act on immigration reform,"
said Alexia Salvatierra, Interim Executive Director, Clergy and
Laity United for Economic Justice-California.
Despite on-going immigration raids across the country, the New
Sanctuary Movement continues to work for immigration reform. The
interfaith coalition pledges to open congregation doors and hearts
to immigrants and their families who face deportation.
The New Sanctuary Movement is national coalition of organizations
dedicated to comprehensive immigration reform in the United States.
Its coordinating organizations are Clergy and Laity United for
Economic Justice-California (CLUE-CA), Interfaith Worker Justice,
and the New York Sanctuary Coalition.
A
California-Nevada Conference Assembly of the United Methodist
Church 2007 Resolution
Toward a Just and Compassionate Immigration Reform
"This document affirms the inherent worth and dignity of
all of God's people. As the body of Christ and as United Methodists
we recognize the urgency to strive for humane, just, compassionate,
and comprehensive immigration reform. Be it therefore resolved
that:
We appreciate and affirm the work and dignity of immigrant peoples
and understand these peoples to be citizens of the world and children
of God.
We shall not be silent or apathetic in the face of unjust treatment
of immigrant peoples.
We shall not participate in any activities that demean, oppress,
persecute, or criminalize immigrant workers and their children
and families that live in the United States.
We assert that immigrant peoples and their children have a right
to medical, legal, and social assistance, and full access to the
justice of our society.
We assert that immigrant children have the right to have full
access to education, including higher education.
We shall support ordained clergy, probationary members, licensed
local pastors, faith workers, laity, immigrant advocates, and
community allies who work with immigrant people.
We shall support local churches and their appointed clergy that
God calls to provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants and
their families.
We call for immigration reform that reunites families, ensures
the civil and labor rights of immigrants, for undocumented workers,
allowing immigrants who want to work an opportunity to contribute
to our society and provide for their families.
We call for an immediate stop to Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) raids that terrorize our communities and an examination
of plans to deport 12 million undocumented workers.
See
Full Text
Fijian
Church Member Finds Faith Community a Strong Ally in Immigration
Battle
JULY 24, 2007|SACRAMENTO, CA - Just weeks after the Annual Conference
session led by Bishop Beverly Shamana issued a challenge to churches
to stand for those caught in the moral injustice of the current
immigration system, a San Rafael church is front and center with
a response.
For San Rafael First UMC, a church serving both Fijian and English
communities, the Old Testament's story of Ruth holds prophetic
meaning these days. Ruth tells the story of Naomi, a woman whose
extended family draws close to her in a time when she might otherwise
have lost hope.
"For wherever you go, I will go." (more)
Sanctuary
The time has come for people of faith to speak up.
After the convening of religious leaders from across the country
a committment was made to join our voices and resources to come
to the aid of these families - our friends and families.
We are developing a network of religious, community and legal
resources. Our first public event as a national movement will
be March 2007. Be sure to come to this page to find out the Who
- What - Where - and How of activities in cities and congregations
across the country.
We ask for your wisdom and prayers and hope you will be able
to participate in the movement to provide hospitality for families
in need. If you are interested in joining this movement as an
ally or as a host congregation contact
us and we will help you take initial steps.
For more information click here.
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