Issues & Episcopal Response

Who are they?

Temporary Visa Permanent Resident Visa Naturalized Citizen

See – www.uscis.gov (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services)

Includes: Student Work – High Tech

Temporary work visas exhausted within 1 day of announcement

Work – Low Tech Unworkable

Tourist “Prove” you’ll return

See – www.uscis.gov (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services)

navigation bar on the left – visiting the U.S. temporarily

If U.S. Citizen, includes Spouse Minor Children Parents Adult Siblings

See – www.uscis.gov (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services)

navigation bar on the left – Permanent Residence

If Permanent Resident, includes: Spouse Minor Children

See – www.uscis.gov (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services)

navigation bar on the left – Permanent Residence

Includes: Investment Skill or profession with no U.S. candidates

See – www.uscis.gov (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services)

navigation bar on the left – Permanent Residence

Includes: Permanent resident for:

If Married to U.S. Citizen – 3 years Otherwise – 5 years Military – 2 years

See – www.uscis.gov (U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services)

navigation bar on the left – U.S. Citizenship

Expired Visa (authorized entry) 40%

Entered with authorization 60%

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?

Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR)

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.

3. Close family members should be allowed to reunite without undue delay with individuals lawfully present in the United States.

Up to 12-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 –Facing deportation after 18 years in U.S., two US-citzen children, a restaurant and a house

The letter of the law is not enough.

Deplores undue emphasis of enforcement as the primary response to immigrants entering the United States to work

Calls the Episcopal Church to educate Episcopalians as to the plight of refugees, immigrants, and migrants

Commits to welcome strangers, to advocate for their wellbeing and protection, and to urge members to resist any violation of our fundamental beliefs as Christians.

Educate Episcopalians (and I would add, our communities).

Welcome migrants, immigrants, and refugees.

Advocate for their wellbeing and protection.

Urge members to resist any violation of our fundamental beliefs as Christians.

Personally,or in a Group,like this one!

http://madreanna.org/immref

Enabling Resolution A017, with $$$$$. To educate

Educate yourself and your community Speaker’s bureau anyone? To find out what’s

happening in your area, join interfaith efforts, find out what you can do

See the Diocese of California Resolutions for 2006 & 2007 at

http://madreanna.org/immref/

To welcome strangers as a matter of Christian responsibility Welcome immigrants into your church and your

circle of friends. Ask immigrant and ethnic churches if you can

help in some way. Follow through on their requests.

To advocate Join the Public Policy Network

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn/ Join one of the advocacy alert lists, e.g.

http://CIRnow.org Spread the word!!

Mailing lists (paper and/or e-mail) Parish & Diocesan newsletters & lists Convention and/or Clergy Conference information tables Start a website or add a web page with cooperative

groups Ask your bishop to intervene or make a statement

To resist legislation and actions which violate our fundamental beliefs as Christians What would you do to keep a family from being

deported? What would you do to render humanitarian aid to

a family in need?

For ideas, see: http://www.nationalimmigrationproject.org/

Click on “Immigrant Rights Resources” http://newsanctuarymovement.org/

Work-Place Enforcement “No-Match” Letters

“Enforcement Only” Where’s the “Comprehensive” piece? Dream Act AgJobs

The price of food

Immigrant BashingSee, http://cirnow.org/

http://madreanna.org/immref/