The Immigrant Justice Action Team mobilizes UUs to engage their elected officials on important legislation, supports immigrants in sanctuary and participates in public witness on issues related to immigrant justice.
In addition, we host experiential learning trips to the Tijuana Border : click here to learn more and register!
Join the conversation! You can sign-up for our email list, an online community for California UUs passionate about immigrant justice! Click here to sign up.
Immigrant Justice Action Needed: 2017 Immigrant Day Outcome #ImmDay17
The Reverend Dr. Betty Stapleford speaks at the 2017 Immigrant Day in Sacramento. News reports estimated one thousand people gathered to rally and meet with our legislators.
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Walk/Talk Your UU Values
SB54 (The California Values Act) would declare California public schools, hospitals, libraries and courthouses sanctuary places from immigration enforcement.
In the California Senate, amendments were made to the bill to meet the concerns of moderate legislators, and SB54 now allows local law enforcement agencies to notify ICE about individuals convicted of serious or violent felonies and to cooperate with ICE on task forces unrelated to deportations.
SB29 (The Dignity Not Detention Act) would:
- Stop local government from being complicit in the creation and renewal of certain contracts with for-profit immigration detention facilities.
- Make the currently unenforceable national immigration detention standards the law in California and provide additional protections for detained LGBTQ immigrants.
- Allow the state to enforce violations of these protections.
Please call your Assembly person today in support. (Find your elected official here).
You are also urged to join Immigrant Justice leaders gathering in Sacramento on May 15, 2017 to lobby California elected officials on SB54, SB29, and other important immigrant justice bills. The full 2017 Policy Agenda for this session can be found here. Immigrant Lobby Day is an annual event sponsored by the California Immigrant Policy Center.Continue reading
Hugo Castro Has Been Found Alive!
UPDATE: April 20, 2017--Following intense global public outcry and extensive efforts to track him down, US citizen and human rights activist Hugo Castro was found alive on Tuesday, April 19th! Yet, while thankfully he is not another statistic in a country where thousands disappear each year, he is far from safe. Hugo appears to have been the victim of a serious crime. He has sustained severe injuries and remains in critical condition.
Please consider contributing to Bring Hugo Castro Home.
[Earlier: Beloved human rights activist, U.S. citizen, Hugo Chavez, was on humanitarian mission with Viacrucis/Caravana del Refugiado 2017. He has not been heard from since Thursday, April 13. Hugo's wife, Gaba Cortes will be heading to Mexico City to continue the search for her husband.]
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Join Us for Immigrant Day at the Capitol
Monday, May 15, 2017, 8:30am-4pm
For over 20 years, the California immigrant rights movement has convened annually at the state capitol for a day of advocacy, to champion the rights of the community and celebrate immigrants as part of the fabric of our state. The Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of California participates with many state & local advocacy organizations in this effort as a part of the California Immigrant Policy Center.
This day is a centerpiece of our immigrant justice ministry--we are morally compelled to stand with immigrants and their families as a visible and credible voice for our Unitarian Universalist values.
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IS IT SAFE? Taking the Concept of Sanctuary into the Streets
Register for the March Conscience Call - Expanding Sanctuary Friday, March 24, 1:00 p.m. (ET)
On this call, dive deep into the spiritual legacy of sanctuary and the many ways it can be created: physical shelter, public policy, communities, networks of protection, and more. We’ll hear about how we can expand sanctuary in our own contexts, with small-group breakouts (online!).Continue reading
PATH TOWARD SANCTUARY--Monday, February 27, 2017
Wondering what your options might be for effective congregational action in a heightened time of hostility and violence and possible deportations?
This webinar will review a range of strategies appropriate for congregations of many sizes and political contexts. Hear inspiring examples of what UURISE, some UU congregations are already doing and what resources the UUA, UUSC, the UU College of Social Justice! Know that often your most effective step will not be to offer physical sanctuary. Content will cover a range of supportive, organizing and policy advocacy options and preview additional upcoming webinars.
REGISTER HERE! Groups strongly encouraged to watch together! (This will be recorded and available on-line after the event.)
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Online Discernment & Training Opportunities
SOLIDARITY and SANCTUARY Webinar Series
In light of the current political climate... Are you wondering what effective congregational action might be in this heightened time of hostility, violence and possible deportations? This webinar will review a range of actionable and empowering strategies appropriate for congregations of many sizes and political contexts. Hear inspiring examples of what some UU congregations are already doing and what resources UURISE, the UUA, UUSC, the UU College of Social Justice have to offer! Be assured that often the most effective steps may not be to offer physical sanctuary so all congregations may participate. Content will cover a range of supportive, organizing and policy advocacy options. Clergy Only: Tuesday January 17, 3:00-4:15pm (ET) Register here Open to All: Sunday, January 22, 3:30-4:45pm (ET) Groups strongly encouraged to watch together! (This will be recorded and available on-line after the event.) Register here TWO ADDITIONAL WEBINARS! Led by Katia Hansen, President and CEO of UURISE, and The College of Social Justice, will focus specifically on what it means to become a Sanctuary congregation and how to get there. We’ll also consider other ways to be in solidarity with those most at risk in this new political landscape. Faithful Discernment: Is Your Congregation Called to Offer Sanctuary? Monday, January 30, 7:00-9:00 pm (ET) Register here The Path Toward Sanctuary: A Practical Guide Monday, February 27 7:00-9:00 pm (ET) Register here
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!
People's lives are hanging in the balance
and they are needing our empowered and effective response.
Sign Up Today!
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Diary from 2016 UU Border Trip
"But for those who have come for the first time and even for those who have come before, it has been hard to keep our eyes off the Wall that defines the border. It is formidable and imposing."
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Nurturing Resilience: Turning the Page on Hate
There's one week left to register for upcoming CIPC Statewide Conference! Many exciting breakout sessions are available, like "From Incarceration Nation to Liberation", which challenges immigration detention and draws connections to prison abolition work. Read more about this session and others at: bit.ly/CAimm2016
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Call Governor Brown for Immigrant Justice
Three important immigration bills are awaiting Governor Brown's signature. We are excited to bring more justice into the lives of all people residing in California! Please take a minute to ask Governor Brown to sign these important bills.
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