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Missionary Oblates Welcome Executive Action for Migrant Families November 24th, 2014
Immigration Reform Rally, Capitol Lawn; photo taken on April 10, 2013; Cool Revolution on Flickr, Some rights reserved
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Missionary Oblates JPIC applauds President Obama’s Administration for taking bold action to protect migrant families. On November 20, President Obama announced an historic action to provide deportation relief to an estimated 5 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
It is an historic victory that could not have been accomplished without the determined advocacy efforts of religious communities, immigrants and human rights groups. The executive action on immigration is welcome news for millions of immigrant families who have been living in the shadows for a long time.
The executive action will provide protection against deportation and will provide work permits to parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPR) who have resided in the country for five years. It will also expand legal status protection to young people who came to the United States as children, but who were not able to qualify for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) when it was first announced in 2012.
“Due to the failure of Congress to move on comprehensive immigration reform, President Obama was right to act to stop deportations, which would lead parents to be separated from their American-born children,” said Fr. John Cox OMI, Pastor of Most Holy Redeemer parish in Ogema MN and a former member of the U.S. Province JPIC Committee.
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Immigration Reform Advocates Protest in San Antonio May 16th, 2014
Patti Radle, Oblate JPIC Committee member, sent us pictures and information about a a lively protest on May 12th in downtown San Antonio calling for Immigration reform. The occasion was a talk at the Marriot Hotel by House Speaker John Boehner. Bexar County Young Tejano Democrats took the lead on organizing this event, which drew many people to shout “Immigration reform NOW!” and to speak about the need to stop the deportations and the separation of family members. At one point, rally participants entered the Marriot to deliver a letter to Boehner but politely left when they were told they were not welcome in the hotel. The group succeeded in getting the letter to Speaker Boehner’s staff.
Below are pictures from the protest:
Each Wednesday in Lent… March 7th, 2014
It’s the beginning of the 40 days of Lent, a period for sacrifice, prayer and almsgiving. You are invited to join in the Fast 4 Families every Wednesday as a sacrifice and solidarity for immigration reform.
Take the pledge here: Fast every Wednesday during the season of Lent as an act of witness to the fierce moral urgency of protecting immigrant families that are torn apart every day.
Call on Congressional Republicans to Adopt Family-Friendly Immigration Reform January 24th, 2014
Call Your GOP Member of Congress and Urge Inclusion of a Path to Citizenship for Immigrants and a focus on Family Unity in the Republican position on immigration reform
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives meet EARLY NEXT WEEK to plan their way forward on immigration reform. They could announce their reform principles by the middle of week.
Catholics and other supporters of immigrants and their families are strongly encouraged to call their GOP Members of Congress on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 27 and 28, and ask that these two elements be included in their immigration reform principles:
- Include a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
- Maintain family unity by preserving the family immigration system.
Use this toll free number, 1-855-589-5698, to be connected to your Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Thanks to the USCCB Justice for Immigrants for this Action Alert!
Solidarity with the Fast for Families Seeking Immigration Reform December 14th, 2013
![1504144_10200817076938892_573122049_n[1]](http://omiusajpic.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1504144_10200817076938892_573122049_n1.jpg)
On November 12th, activists and faith leaders in San Antonio, Texas, offered support to the fasters on the Mall in Washington, D.C. calling for the US Congress to take action on immigration reform. As the D.C. fast came to an end, members of the San Antonio community participated in two activities designed to keep consciousness of the effects of the fast alive.
In the morning, a press conference was held at the Cesar E. Chavez Education and Legacy Foundation to announce the beginning of the passing of the “cruzita” (cross), much like Cesar Chavez did during his famous hunger strike. The Foundation passed a cross to its members asking them to fast for at least a day, to let people know why they are fasting, and then to past the cross on to someone else.
In the evening, as people gathered for prayer and Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the inner city, the Foundation came to the church to announce the passing of the cruzita and to ask organizations and individuals, “Who will join this fast?” Community volunteers made small crosses and offered them to people as they entered the church. All 20 crosses that were made were accepted and more could have been distributed. San Antonio will continue to raise its voice for justice and dignity for immigrants.
(With gratitude to Patti Radle, a member of the Oblate JPIC Committee who helped to organize this fast for families, and Fr Bob Wright OMI, who also participated in the event.)
Bob Wright and Patti Radle are on the left.
