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30 Days of How to get Involved in Immigrant Justice

Our US immigration system is broken and designed to rip apart immigrant families, denying individuals their basic human rights which include but are not limited to health care, employment, food, and housing. Therefore, during the month of April, we will be sharing ways to get involved with Immigration Justice, both at UUJMCA and with our partner organizations, as well as sharing educational resources and opportunities to act.

Join us on this month long journey of learning and doing!

Day 1. Pilgrimage to the Border.

Join us in partnership with Casas de Luz & UU Refugee & Immigrant Services and Education (UURISE). We are excited to offer an in-person immersion experience for UUs and UU-aligned individuals interested in engaging with the realities of immigration at the California border. During our visit we will be working together to make real impact for one family in an emerging community just south of our California border in Tijuana. Please make a contribution to this work and our support for the community just south of our California border: (https://uujmca.org/make-a-contribution-to-pilgrimage).

Learn More about Pilgrimage to the Border: (https://uujmca.org/building-homes-creating-community).

#californiaborder, #createcommunity


Day 2. Casas de Luz.

Casas De Luz Is A Social Justice Action Program of The UU Fellowship of San Dieguito. They build sleeping cottages for individuals in transition and families in Tijuana and San Diego. Their primary goal is to build a village of cottages where residents can form a community of support for each other. A secondary goal is to provide congregations with the opportunity of hosting a small number of cottages on their property. We propose the sleeping cottages as a temporary solution for individuals in transition between homelessness and permanent housing.

This will provide individuals and families with an interim step, moving towards financial independence, stability, and an overall well-being. Each site will have an operator who offers on-site services where appropriate, and will leverage existing community services where possible.

Learn More about Casas de Luz: (http://www.casasdeluz.org/what-we-do).

#tijuana, #unhoused


Day 3. UURise: UU Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education.

The Mission of UURISE is “Advancing justice and human rights for immigrants and refugees.”

UURISE provides low-cost and no-cost immigration legal services to help clients access the protections and benefits available under current immigration laws, no-cost CARE (Connections / Advocacy / Resource Navigation / and Emergency Safety Planning for Immigrants) services to individuals and families, and responds to the needs of a wide variety of communities and partners by providing services designed to support and further justice for immigrants. They provide local, regional, and national services.

UURise is a nonprofit based in Southern California on the stolen land of the Luiseño Nation and Kumeyaay Nation. They invite you to learn more at #HonorNativeLand and Tribal Land Locator (https://native-land.ca/).

Learn More about UURise: UU Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education (www.uurise.org).

#Immigration, #refugee, #legalservices


Day 4. Donate to our Pilgrimage to the Border: “Building Homes, Creating Community.”

Please consider making a contribution to our annual house build in Tijuana and our support for the local community just south of our California border at (https://uujmca.org/make-a-contribution-to-pilgrimage).

During our visit, we will be working together to make real impact for one family in an emerging community just south of our California border. Your contribution will support providing the building materials, furnishings, and stipends to local leaders for their assistance, and participant expenses such as food, housing, and travel. We can only continue this good work of “Building Homes, Creating Community.”

Learn More about our Pilgrimage to the Border: “Building Homes, Creating Community” at (https://uujmca.org/building-homes-creating-community).

#immigrantjustice, #unhoused, #californiaborder, #UU, #friendshipark, #createcommunity, #tijuana


Day 5. Reflections from the Border by Jan Meslin.

(Photos provided by Jan Meslin, Douglas Pilsbury, and March Chase.)

Learn More about Reflections from the Border by Jan Meslin at (https://uujmca.org/building-homes-creating-community).

#UU, #SideWithLove #createcommunity, #californiaborder, #friendshipark, #immigrantjustice, #tijuana


Day 6. Reflections from the Border by Rev Dr Betty Stapleford and Mark Chase.

Rev. Betty

Reflection by Mark Chase.

Learn More about Reflections from the Border by Rev Dr Betty Stapleford or Mark Chase at (https://uujmca.org/building-homes-creating-community).

#uu, #SideWithLove, #californiaborder, #friendshipark, #immigrantjustice, #unhoused, #uu, #createcommunity, #tijuana


Day 7. Border Church: Binational Communion Celebration with Reflection by Mark Chase.

Watch the Border Church Service Live on Facebook every Sunday at 1:00pm PT at (https://www.facebook.com/BorderChurch/live_videos).

The Vision at the Border Church: “That God’s love would reign over the US-Mexico borderlands so that all people, sitting together at a common table, would experience heaven on earth.”

The Border Church / La Iglesia Fronteriza is a nonsectarian Christian ministry centered in the celebration of open-table communion on the US-Mexico border.​ ​Since November 2011, people from both the United States and Mexico have gathered each Sunday afternoon to share communion at Friendship Park, the historic meeting place at the western edge of the border, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This Sunday celebration is also known as “EL FARO,” because we gather in the shadow of Tijuana’s landmark lighthouse, a reminder that God’s grace shines indiscriminately on all.

Learn More about Border Church: Binational Communion Celebration at (https://www.friendshippark.org/borderchurch).

Greetings from Friendship Park, Tijuana, Mexico

#UU, #SideWithLove, #californiaborder, #friendshipark, #immigrantjustice, #indigenous, #tijuana #JusticeUnites


Day 8. Glossary of Immigration Terms from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management.

Do you know the difference between an Emigrant and Immigrant, or Refugee or Asylee? The Sillerman Center for Advancement of Philanthropy (https://heller.brandeis.edu/sillerman) at The Heller School for Social Policy and Management has offered the following guide to immigration terminology for your review.

Learn More about Glossary of Immigration Terms from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management: at (https://heller.brandeis.edu/sillerman/pdfs/immigration/immigrant-refugee-terminology.pdf).

#UU, #SideWithLove, #immigrantjustice, #Immigration, #refugee


Day 9. Glossary of Immigration Enforcement from Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

Asian Americans have been part of the American story since its earliest days. From those who traveled to the US as a result of changing immigration policies, to refugees who came to American shores in search of safety, to recent immigrants who continue to join our nation in search of the famed “American Dream,” the one indisputable truth about our community is its breadth, diversity, and resilience.

Would you like more information about immigration Enforcement? Asian Americans Advancing Justice (https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org) offers a glossary of terms for you to learn more about how US immigration enforcement works.

The Mission of Asian Americans Advancing Justice: rooted in the dreams of immigrants and inspired by the promise of opportunity, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC) advocates for an America in which all Americans can benefit equally from, and contribute to, the American dream. Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. Advancing Justice | AAJC is a national 501 (c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 in Washington, DC.

Learn More about Glossary of Immigration Enforcement from Asian Americans Advancing Justice at (https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/sites/default/files/2016-09/Enforcement_Glossary.pdf).

UU, #SideWithLove, #asianamerican, #immigrantjustice, #Immigration, #refugee


Day 10. Freedom for Immigrants.

“Immigration detention is a product of racism and a legacy of slavery, and it is the fastest growing prison population segment in the United States. California has led the nation in detention abolition efforts, but far too many people remain caged with a disproportionate number of poor people of color impacted.”
Freedom for Immigrants

Do you know how the immigrants in detention survive the system and how you can help?

Learn More about Freedom for Immigrants at (https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org).

#UU, #SideWithLove, #immigrantdetention, #immigrantjustice, #Immigration


Day 11. California Department of Social Services.

Are you interested in policy change and services offered to immigrants in California?

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Immigration Services Bureau (ISB) develops, implements, and administers comprehensive programs that fund nonprofits to provide pro bono immigration legal services, education and community outreach, and other essential immigrant inclusion and integration efforts. CDSS also administers funding to provide critical assistance to immigrants during emergency situations. Through these programs, the Department contracts with nonprofits to provide pro bono immigration legal services, education, and community outreach, and increases the capacity of legal service providers to support underserved immigrant populations across the State. In addition, the Higher Education Programs deliver immigration legal services to the California State University (CSU) and California Community College (CCC) campuses. The Department also invests in immigrant equity initiatives and special capacity building programs to increase immigration legal services availability for the most underserved immigrant populations and historically underserved regions.” –California Department of Social Services

Learn More about California Department of Social Services at (https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/immigration).

#UU, #SideWithLove, #california, #legalservices, #immigrantjustice, #Immigration


Day 12. Dispelling the Myth.

“California has long been home to a large number of immigrants. About 26.7 percent of the state’s residents are foreign-born, and 20.3 percent of its US-born residents live with at least one immigrant parent. Immigrants make up one-third of California’s labor force and support the local economy in many ways. They account for 38.9 percent of entrepreneurs, 39.6 percent of STEM workers, and 45.2 percent of health aides in the state. As neighbors, business owners, taxpayers, and workers, immigrants are an integral part of California’s diverse and thriving communities and make extensive contributions that benefit all.”
American Immigration Council

Did you know that in 2021 California hosted 10,468,272 Immigrants with $351.7B in spending and paid $137.5B in taxes?

Too often we hear from anti-immigrant rights organizations and media that immigrants are a strain on our public systems and private businesses, this anti-immigrant messaging just doesn’t match the numbers. Let’s work together to change the narrative and dispel the myth!

Learn More about Dispelling the Myth at (https://map.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/locations/california/#).

#UU, #SideWithLove, #righttowork, #immigrantjustice, #Immigration


Day 13. Deported Veterans Advocacy Project.

Contact your House Representative and demand that no one is left behind and remind them that our “Vets are not disposable!” Click here to find your Representative at (https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative).

“The mission of the Deported Veterans Advocacy Project is to advocate and assist U.S. military veterans who face deportation, or have been deported by the U.S. government. Currently, Veterans For Peace is the fiscal sponsor of the Unified US Deported Veterans, located in Tijuana, Mexico. The Unified US Deported Veterans/Veterans For Peace Hector Barrios Chapter 182 is for US military that have been deported or are in deportation proceedings, assisting them to integrate into the community as productive residents while searching for legal avenues to return home to the US.

The Unified US Deported Veterans/VFP Hector Barrios Chapter 182 has an office in Tijuana, 40 yards from the Ped West Border Crossing, that provides services for those US military veterans who have been deported or are in deportation proceedings. The office provides support in contacting their families in the US, housing referrals, medical needs and substance abuse treatment, support in obtaining documents, such as Mexican identification and DD-214, benefits and pensions filing with the VA, employment interview preparation and job bank and referrals.”

Learn More about Deported Veterans Advocacy Project at (https://www.veteransforpeace.org/our-work/vfp-national-projects/deported-veterans-advocacy-project).

#UU, #SideWithLove, #immigration, #immigrantjustice, #deportedveterans, #tijuana


Day 14. Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity.

“For more than twenty years, the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity has been joining hands with people of faith to act on these core beliefs. We defend the humanity of the immigrant and fight for the rights of the incarcerated.” Watch and Subscribe at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8LUjWnPbZE).

“All People are Sacred Across Bars and Borders … Sacred texts call us to welcome migrants with acts of hospitality, and to free the prisoners. As people of faith across diverse traditions, we believe we share a common humanity, even with those who have made mistakes; that they too have families, are part of our communities, and are worthy of opportunities for rehabilitation and redemption. Our core values teach us that everyone deserves justice, compassion, human rights and humane treatment, regardless of the color of their skin, their immigration status, or their worst action.” –Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity

Learn More about Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity at (https://www.im4humanintegrity.org).

#UU, #SideWithLove, #immigrantjustice, #immigration, #interfaith, #welcome, #immigrantdetention


Day 15. California Immigrant Policy Center.

Stop the Arrest to Deportation Pipeline!

“Federal immigration authorities rely heavily on local criminal-legal systems to identify non-citizens for detention and deportation, creating what is often referred to as the “arrest-to-deportation pipeline.” The arrest-to-deportation pipeline disproportionately impacts low-income immigrants of color. This is unsurprising. When Black and Brown community members are targets of criminal enforcement, they are arrested and prosecuted at higher rates, torn from families and communities, and deported, at higher rates.

CIPC plays a leadership role in Sacramento, working alongside policy makers, advocates, and community members to shape the policies that support immigrants and their families. As a convener of multiple coalitions made up of diverse organizations across the state, we use our platform to bring the voices of all Californians to the forefront of policy conversations in Sacramento. Every piece of legislation being considered by our state’s lawmakers should advance equitable and just solutions for all of us, and must not exclude our state’s vibrant immigrant communities.” –California Immigrant Policy Center

Learn More about California Immigrant Policy Center at (https://caimmigrant.org).

#UU, #SideWithLove, #immigration, #immigrantjustice, #california, #policychange, #blacklivesmatter, #racialjustice


Day 16. Immigrant Day of Action. Call and demand immigration reform in California. Click Here to find your California Representative.

“This year’s theme, ‘Our Diversity is Our Power,’ was specifically chosen to highlight the power inherent in California’s diverse immigrant communities. This message is especially important for us to uplift during this presidential election year. Immigrant Day of Action will also include a diverse line up of leaders, partners, and impacted community members from across the state, a celebration of our accomplishments and timely discussions on issues facing the immigrants rights movement in the Golden State.” –California Immigrant Policy Center

Learn More about Immigrant Day of Action at (https://caimmigrant.org/event/immigrant-day-of-action-2024).

#UU, #SideWithLove, #immigration, #immigrantjustice, #policychange, #california, #blacklivesmatter, #racialjustice, #legalservices, #righttowork


Day 17. Reflections on Immigrant Day of Action from Jan Meslin.

Powerful day! Beautiful day! CIPC’s priority bills this year: Food4All SB 245 Hurtado, Health4All Covered CA AB 4 Arambula, SafetyNet4All SB 227 Durazo, public health inspections in private prisons SBA 1132 Durazo, protect CA’s immigration legal services programs that Gov Newsome is currently removing from the budget.

Meeting with Assembly Member Sawn Addis
Meeting with Senator Laird
CA Immigrant Policy Center’s annual Immigrant Day of Action

Learn More about Immigrant Day of Action at (https://caimmigrant.org/event/immigrant-day-of-action-2024).

#uu, #sidewithlove, #justiceunites, #immigrantjustice, #immigrantjustice, #immigration, #policychange, #refugee, #legalservices, #welcome, #foodforall


Day 18. UUSC: Community Accompaniment Program With Asylum-Seekers (CAPAS).

“Throughout history and around the world, people have found ways to accompany, shelter, and defend the rights of those who are at risk of persecution. UUSC’s Community Accompaniment Program With Asylum-Seekers (CAPAS) supports communities of faith as they host and accompany individuals and families seeking safety through the process of obtaining legal asylum in the United States. We invite you to join us in this journey of welcoming people exercising their human right to migrate and resisting our government’s xenophobic immigration policies.” -UU Service Committee

Learn More about UUSC: Community Accompaniment Program With Asylum-Seekers (CAPAS) at (https://www.uusc.org/initiatives/asylum-is-a-human-right-uuscs-congregational-accompaniment-project-for-asylum-seekers-capas)

#uu, #sidewithlove, #immigration, #immigrantjustice, #asylum, #accompaniment


Day 19. KWESI: Kern Welcoming and Extending Solidarity to Immigrants.

KWESI helps to “support those who have been released from detention. Immigrants often come to this country with little more than the clothes on their backs. We offer them clothes, backpacks, toiletries, and food to take with them on their way to where they will start their new life in the US. They also often need bus or train tickets as well. Frequently, they need a place to stay for a night or a few days (and in some cases, KWESI members have housed asylees for months!). We do not proselytize religion or offer legal advice to immigrants.” -KWESI

Learn More about KWESI: Kern Welcoming and Extending Solidarity to Immigrants at (https://www.kwesi.org).

#uu, #sidewithlove, #immigration, #immigrantjustice, #solidarity, #icedetention


Day 20. Ice Out of California.

Contact your California Representatives Click Here to find your California State Representatives at (https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov).

The VISION Act (AB 937-Carrillo): The VISION Act, authored by Assembly member Wendy Carrillo, was introduced in the California state 2021 legislative session. The VISION Act passed the Assembly in the 2021 legislative session, but was short 3 votes to pass the Senate Floor in the 2022 legislative session. The VISION Act would protect community members who have already been deemed eligible for release from being transferred by local jails and our state prison system to immigration detention. The VISION Act takes urgent and necessary strides toward ensuring that our local and state tax dollars are not used to funnel immigrants into dangerous health conditions in immigration detention, violate Constitutional protections, and separate immigrant families and communities (http://www.iceoutofca.org/ca-values-act-sb54-408546.html).

Learn More about Ice Out of California at (http://www.iceoutofca.org).

#uu, #sidewithlove, #justiceunites, #immigrantjustice, #immigrantjustice, #immigration, #icedetention, #policychange, #california


Day 21. Sign Up for an Immigration Webinar.

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) offers immigration law trainings, including seminars and webinars, for attorneys, nonprofit staff, and other immigration legal services providers. Our immigration law courses provide up-to-date information on immigration law and practice from our expert attorneys and co-presenters.

Learn More about Sign Up for an Immigration Webinar at (https://store.ilrc.org/webinars).

#uu, #sidewithlove, #justiceunites, #immigrantjustice


Day 22. Subscribe to Global Refugee.

Since 1939, Global Refuge (formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) has provided welcome and hope to more than three quarters of a million refugees. We are transforming lives and empowering New Americans with support and resources to begin anew.

Learn More about Global Refugee at (https://www.youtube.com/@globalrefuge_).

#uu, #sidewithlove, #justiceunites, #immigrantjustice, #interfaith, #refugee


Day 23. Via Encuentro 2024.

Join Via International on May 18th from 3-6pm PT in San Diego for an afternoon filled with fun, food, dancing, and learn about what’s happening at Via International at the Second Annual Via Encuentro. This year, we will be honoring Rigoberto Reyes after 40 years of service.

Learn More about Via Encuentro 2024 at (https://www.viainternational.org/encuentro?mc_cid=ad11c1e912&mc_eid=18c8ea752d).

#uu, #sidewithlove, #justiceunites, #immigrantjustice


Day 24. Make Your Voice Heard.

Register to Vote at (https://registertovote.ca.gov).

“As of February 24th, 2024, Ventura County has 509,827 registered voters! See Report Here (https://www.buen-vecino.org). However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the total Ventura County population is over 832,605 (updated on July 1st, 2022). This means there is HUGE potential for thousands more to register to vote! Make sure YOU are counted.” -Buen Vecino

Learn More about Make Your Voice Heard at (https://www.buen-vecino.org).

#uu, #sidewithlove, #justiceunites, #immigrantjustice, #legalservices


Day 25. Pilgrimages to the Border.

Did you know that UUJMCA offers to Immigration experiential learning every year?

In the Spring, we offer “Building Homes, Creating Community,” and in the Fall, we offer “No Borders, No Walls.”

We invite you to join us for our next Pilgrimage!

“No Borders, No Walls” will be a multiplatform (in person & virtual) learning experience held October 18-21, 2024. UUJMCA will be engaging with local community leaders to learn about the plight of people at our southern border and how we can provide support. Participants will meet with community organizers in Tijuana, share in faith development around immigration, and learn what we can do as social justice makers and faith activists from our homes in California.

If you are interested in learning about our future Pilgrimage Events, please complete the form below.

Learn More about Pilgrimages to the Border at (https://uujmca.org/subscribe-for-pilgrimage).

#uu, #sidewithlove, #justiceunites, #immigrantjustice, #decolonization, #californiaborder, #createcommunity, #tijuana, #accompaniment



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