 Subscribe to the CCIR Email | Follow us on Twitter |
Washington is buzzing with excitement, but not all of it is related to inauguration activities. There’s real hope that immigration reform can happen in 2013. Such an achievement won’t happen unless our elected leaders see the broad support that exists for making long overdue progress on this issue. The faith community’s voice is more critical than ever. This is why the Evangelical Immigration Table released its “I Was a Stranger” bookmark, with the hopes of mobilizing tens of thousands of evangelicals across the nation to pray about immigration. A simple effort that could have a major impact, it encourages Christians across the country to read a daily scripture related to immigration for 40 days and pray for decision-makers in Washington to pass legislation embodying the moral values advocated for by the faith community. You can participate in the challenge by downloading the bookmark here. Please share it widely with your friends and other members of your congregation. Many blessings, The Sojourners Immigration Team  Ivone Guillen: Evangelical Leaders Launch 'I Was a Stranger' Immigration Campaign “’Evangelicals see scripture as the highest authority in both belief and conduct in life. We look to scripture to have its own guidance for us,’ said Dr. Joel Hunter, senior Pastor of Northland Church in central Florida. ‘… Our job as spiritual leaders is to shepherd those in our realm of influence according to the values of scripture. We believe that will percolate up into policy that reflects the passion of Christ and reforms the immigration system, which everyone agrees is broken.’” Janelle Tupper: 10 (More) Reasons to Support Immigration Reform “There are many reasons to support comprehensive immigration reform. As Christians, we point to the biblical call to welcome the stranger and love our neighbors as top reasons for our support…. But it helps to remember that there are significant economic and political gains to be had, as well.”  Immigration Change to Ease Family Separations Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces a new set of rules under the family unity waiver process which would prevent the prolonged separation of families. The new procedural tweaks will allow some undocumented immigrants who are the relatives of U.S. citizens to apply for a waiver inside the U.S. when applying for legal status rather than outside which would usually ban an immigrant between three to 10 years once they step outside of the U.S. The changes will not take effect until March 3. New ICE Detainer Guidance Too Little, Too Late Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a new detainer policy that focuses on criminals and repeat offenders. The memo, issued on December 21 by ICE Director John Morton, instructs agents and officers in the field to only issue an ICE hold for an undocumented immigrant if they fall under the directed categories.  The drumbeat for immigration reform is growing louder each day. Read the latest:
“A solid majority of U.S. voters favor common sense immigration reform that includes a path to earned citizenship for current undocumented immigrants, and strong accountability measures, according to a groundbreaking, bipartisan poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, a Republican polling firm, and Hart Research Associates, a Democratic firm.” Gov't spent $18 billion on immigration enforcement “The Obama administration spent more money on immigration enforcement in the last fiscal year than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined, according to a report on the government's enforcement efforts from a Washington think tank.”  Immigration is a complex issue. The specific details and policy nuances are often lost in the superficial nature of our nation’s political debate. Here are a few resources that dive a little deeper into the policy debate around U.S. immigration policy.
 |
No comments:
Post a Comment