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Ask Your Representative to Support the DREAM Act December 3rd, 2010

The vote on the DREAM Act in the House of Representatives originally scheduled for 11 am this morning has been postponed until next Wednesday. The new Congressional Budget Office score of the bill (estimated costs) did not come out until late last night. The Rules Committee requires the CBO estimate before they can pass a rule governing debate on the bill.

There are now several more days to contact target Representatives. Between now and next Wednesday, please continue to call and send messages to your Representatives and ask him/her to vote for the DREAM Act.

Please use Justice for Immigrants DREAM Act action alert to send a message quickly to your federal lawmakers. The action alert is on the JFI homepage at www.justiceforimmigrants.org

Ask Congress to Support the DREAM Act! September 14th, 2010

Congress is only back in session for a couple of weeks before the November election. Momentum is strong in Congress to help immigrant youth. They can do this by passing the DREAM Act.

Young people who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives but who were brought to the US illegally, often as young children, face a difficult future.  These children have grown up in our communities and include honor roll students, star athletes, talented artists, and aspiring environmental scientists, doctors, and entrepreneurs. They face unique barriers to higher education. Unable to work legally in the United States, they often live in fear of deportation. This is a terrible loss both for them and for the larger society.

Bipartisan Support for the DREAM Act

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JPIC Resource on Immigration Reform Now Available September 8th, 2010

A new booklet on Immigration Reform by the Oblate JPIC Immigration Network is now available. Designed to help and educate those in Oblate ministries about the issue of comprehensive immigration reform in the United States, it offers ideas about what you can do to make a difference. Learn more about U.S./Mexico border policy, voices of faith in Immigration reform and Comprehensive Immigration Reform talking points.

Download a PDF of the booklet

President Obama Calls for Immigration Reform July 2nd, 2010

On July 1st President Obama spoke to the nation about immigration reform. He laid out the ways that the broken immigration system hurts millions of people across this country, and how the country can’t wait any longer for real reform. President Obama said passing national comprehensive immigration reform is going to take both Republicans and Democrats working together.

Missionary Oblates JPIC Applaud Immigration Speech. More can be done.

The Missionary Oblates JPIC office applauds President Obama’s commitment to immigration reform. President Obama’s speech on Immigration reform is a step in the right direction to fix the immigration system. However, there are actions that the Obama administration can take in the interim as we wait for Congress to act. Halting raids and deportations of undocumented immigrants (those without criminal records) would send a big signal of commitment to reform of the immigration system.

Fixing the broken immigration system is a top issue for a majority of Americans and they are frustrated with the political delay and inaction in Congress. Polling shows that a majority of Americans support comprehensive immigration reform which includes creating legal status for undocumented immigrants already in the country, securing the border and better managing future immigration.

What you can do to Support Immigration Reform:

Thousands of people of faith across the country are praying, fasting and serving as a public witness and nationwide solidarity with immigrants, particularly those living in Arizona. The Justice for Immigrants postcard campaign is an opportunity for you, your community and your parish to participate in the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ campaign for comprehensive immigration reform. You can find more information at the Justice for Immigrants website. This site has coverage of the JFI postcard campaign, as well as links for supporters to send electronic versions of the postcards to Senators and Representatives encouraging Congress to act.

May 21 – 29 Week for Oblate Novena of Prayers: A Call of Solidarity for Immigration Reform May 21st, 2010

From May 21st to May 29th, Missionary Oblate communities and parishes around the world are encouraged to participate in actions of prayer and reflection for vocations to Oblate life and mission. May 21 is the Feast of St. Eugene and May 29 is the anniversary of Blessed Joseph Gerard, the Oblate Missionary who worked in Lesotho. These nine days bring oblates, associates, parishioners, mission partners and friends together in prayer and reflection on oblate life and mission.

As an addition to the Oblate JPIC immigration advocacy work and several prayer vigils for immigration reform across the United States, this week of prayers provides an opportunity to engage in prayer of solidarity for those living on the margins of society. Especially vulnerable are the millions of immigrants who live in constant fear of deportation and family separation due to their immigration status.

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CMSM and LCWR Executive Directors Call for Needed Immigraton Reform May 14th, 2010

The Executive Directors of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious have issued a letter highlighting the need for urgent immigration reform. Their letter is in response to the recent “draconian enforcement-only legislation in the state of Arizona.”

Recognizing the right of the United States to control its borders, the religious leaders emphasize that “a just and humane approach to immigration reform must include a path to citizenship, family reunification and protection of workers’ rights.”

Read their letter (Download PDF)

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