News Archives » Action Alert
Gov. Richardson Signs Death Penalty Repeal March 20th, 2009
On 18th February, 2009 New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed into law a bill to repeal the death penalty in that State. This makes New Mexico the second state to abolish the death penalty. The law replaces the death penalty with a sentence of life without possibility of parole.
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Join in Reviewing the World Bank’s Transparency Policy March 18th, 2009
The World Bank is currently accepting public comments from civil society groups regarding World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information. This public comment period will run from March 13 to May 8, 2009. The World Bank has issued a paper calling for revision of its disclosure policy titled: “TOWARD GREATER TRANSPARENCY: RETHINKING THE WORLD BANK’S DISCLOSURE POLICY.” This is available on the World Bank website. Send your comments via email to Disclosure_Consultations@worldbank.org or post comments on the Bank’s website.
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Legislation to Protect Immigrant Detainees Introduced in the House of Representatives March 10th, 2009
In response to the numerous deaths and cases of abuse in immigrant detention centers across the nation, U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) has introduced the Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act of 2009 (H.R. 1215). This bill works to “better ensure immigrant detainees receive fair and humane treatment while in detention.”
The Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act seeks to:
- Improve detainees’ access to telephones and medical care, including treatment for survivors of sexual abuse
- Improve mental health care standards, which are critical for persons who have suffered persecution, torture, or other trauma
- Promotes alternatives to detention which enable detainees to be released on their own recognizance, bond, or other non-custodial supervision programs
- Provides protections for unaccompanied children taken into DHS custody.
The Oblate JPIC office supports this proposed legislation. Through a joint letter to Congress, we are joining other faith, human rights, civil liberties, immigrant and community organizations in urging Members to support this bill which would create enforceable and humane treatment standards for immigrants held in detention facilities.
Learn more on detention of immigrants at Detention Watch Network
Pushing for Immigration Reform in 2009 March 10th, 2009
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) has announced that he will lead a five-week tour across America to raise awareness about the issues facing immigrant communities and to promote “fair and just” immigration reform.
The national tour, already underway to 14 U.S. cities, will document the harm caused to citizens across our nation in the absence of comprehensive immigration reform.
In an unprecedented nationwide campaign, Gutierrez has partnered with local communities and churches to hold rallies for thousands of U.S. citizens whose families have been or risk being torn apart by our broken immigration system. Many members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are also holding similar events in their districts.
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March Action Alert: Stop Immigration Raids March 5th, 2009
Sign the Petition to President Obama TODAY!
Work place raids by ICE continue under the new administration, not to mention the separation by deportation of parents from their children, many of who are US citizens. Over 100,000 parents were reportedly deported over the last few years. Even people who have had legal residency in the U.S. are being deported after spending time in jail for crimes that are not all that serious.
Please consider signing the petition given below TODAY, calling for an end to work-place raids. It is being sent to the President on Friday, 6 March.
