Trails of Hope and Terror review in PRISM

I have written a review of Trails of Hope and Terror: Testimonies on Immigration by Miguel de la Torre, that will appear in the January February edition of PRISM magazine at ESA. (I will update with a link if they put it online.)

"For some in the United States this might be a debate about defending borders and keeping some faceless unknowns at safe distances. These testimonies [stories in each chapter of the book] give them . . .human faces. The telling of the stories from personal interviews is relentless. Story after story is translated and told from the perspective of immigrants, church workers, theologians, students, family members and those looking for work."

Mexican Migration through New Mexico and the Southwest

HT: ImmigrationProf Blog by immigrationprof

Congressman Gutierrez news conference on Comprehensive Immigration Reform

There's a crowd assembling to hear the Congressman's announcement this morning.

Eighty seven cosponsors announced. Immigration reform is "pro-jobs, pro-family, pro-security."

"Once signed into law, [CIR ASAP] will be one of the largest leaps forward for civil rights that our nation has seen in over 30 years"

~Tweet from 4aNewAmerica

Thanks to friends at CCIR for the photo and the live tweets!

Another photo from @ri4a:

CIR bill to be introduced today

From the office of Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Washington D.C.) On Tuesday, December 15, Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL) will introduce new legislation, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP), to the U.S. House of Representatives.  Gutierrez will be joined by members of many different faiths and backgrounds, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus, Asian Pacific American Caucus and Progressive Caucus.

 Click Introduction of Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation for more information from the Congressman's office. There should be more news by the end of today. Kitty Felde from NPR affiliate KPCC (89.3 FM) is Pasadena, California did a story from the press release already this week.

Prayer for Immigrants featured at Sojourners Verse and Voice

Today, Friday, December 11, 2009 Sojourners Verse and Voice published this prayer, written by APU students who are part of the Latin American Student Association (LASA). I took these photographs at the prayer vigil that they planned and carried out in April 2009. The prayer is also in Spanish here.


On April 23, 2009 students from the Latin American Student Association (LASA) at Azusa Pacific University
held a prayer vigil to bring attention to the situation of some immigrants to the United States.



Visitors to the vigil were handed cards with pictures of immigrants whose stories they could follow visually and with words that explain how people decide to migrate, how the travel and cross borders and both the successes and failures they find in a new country.





This prayer for the immigrant is written by and offered by the students of LASA. To read this prayer in Spanish, click here.

God of Cultures, we pray for the millions of immigrants who are living around the world in countries that may be hostile "strangers." Teach us to look beyond the borders of the nation and city in which we live.

God of the Poor, we pray that immigrant families and especially children who have restricted access to shelter, food, health care, and education would cease to be marginalized by the systems in which they live and instead be treated with dignity. We pray that they would be provided with covering shelter, nourishing food, sustaining health, and a nurturing education.

We pray for those who were born in the United States whose thoughts and actions may be fueled by racist and ethnocentric attitudes towards those who were born elsewhere. We pray for the abolition of individual and institutional racism.

We pray for those who live in constant fear of deportation and separation from their family. We pray that families would be able to remain together.

We pray that you would help us remember that all people possess inherent human dignity as your children, made in your image, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic status, or legal status; in the undocumented sister and brother, let us see your Spirit, O Lord.

Help us not forget that you were an immigrant; that your family fled to Egypt when you were a child to escape Herod’s decree to kill every infant boy.

God, help us see you in the eyes of the migrant and to recognize your presence amongst the oppressed.

Amen

A comprehensive bill on immigration reform

Several people have asked me recently when there would be a bill in congress about immigration reform. This is the word from Sojourners' Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform's Campaign Coordinator Allison Johnson:

"A comprehensive bill on immigration reform, the first of this Congress, is slated to be introduced the week of December 14 by Representative Luis Gutierrez. Be sure to check out our blog for a statement on the bill when it is released." ~December Updates on Immigration

Myths about immigrants with Juan Hernandez

I met Mr. Hernandez in Indianapolis at the 2004 CCDA conference.

Hernandez has worked for both the Mexican and US governments. He wrote: New American Pioneers: Why Are We Afraid of Mexican Immigrants?

Verse and Voice: Prayer for the Sojourner

Sojourners Verse and Voice has featured a prayer that I posted on People Migrate in 2006.

God of the journey, God of the traveler, we pray for those who leave their homes in search of new beginnings and possibilities. May they know your presence with them. We pray that those who seek to make a home in this country may find us welcoming and willing to help them find a path toward citizenship. We pray that our legislators, as they craft new immigration legislation, may find the wisdom and courage to enact new policies that do justice for our country and for those who would immigrate here. We pray for those who fan the flames of fear and discrimination against the undocumented may be touched with your divine compassion. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

~The Archdiocese of Chicago, Adapted

Prayer for immigrant is one of the very popular searches that bring people to this blog.

Help Wanted: Communications & Technology Organizer

National Day Laborer Organizing Network

Job Announcement: Communications & Technology Organizer
Location: Los Angeles
Salary: Based on Experience
Type: Full Time (w/ benefits)
Last day to apply: Open until filled
Languages: Spanish/English
Education: BA or 4 year equivalent
Experience: At least 2 years (preferably with Nonprofit)

Who we are:
NDLON’s mission is to improve the lives of day laborers in the United States. Towards this end, NDLON strengthens, unifies, and expands the work of member organizations. NDLON is composed of 41 day laborer organizations located in 14 states across the country. As a national network, NDLON brings together day laborers and their organizations to educate and advocate at the local, state, and national levels around issues relating to:

1. strengthening day laborer organizing models such as centers and organized corners
2. leadership development and popular education
3. protection of labor and civil rights; and 
4. immigration reform.

Position Description:
The Communications and Technology Organizer is a full-time position. S/he will: Assist NDLON member organizations; Develop communication systems within the network; Manage and expand the networks’ online organizing campaigns; and Manage and expand public relations campaigns through media and other outreach.

The organizer will also enhance electronic communication network within the organization. S/he is responsible for maintaining all information technology, both hardware and software. Responsibilities include systems’ maintenance, long-term IT planning, disaster recovery planning.

The organizer will help NDLON expand its web presence and organize within the online community. The organizer will also provide communication and tech support on specific campaigns, such as efforts to organize against policies that criminalize immigrant communities.

Responsibilities Include:

• Managing day to day IT operations support issues
• Developing and updating content for our website
• Recommend and implement software and hardware upgrades to provide maximum resources utilization
• Evaluate, recommend, install, and troubleshoot hardware, software, operating systems, and desktop connections to NDLON
• Building and managing media lists

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Technology or related field.
• Strong web and technical knowledge as well as computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Social Media tools
• Having experience with the following a plus; Abode CS3 or 4, Database management
• Bilingual (Spanish)
• Strong commitment to social justice and immigrant rights
• Excellent organizational skills, communication skills, and detail oriented

How to Apply:

NDLON is an equal opportunity employer to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or marital status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Please send cover letter, resume, and three references to: Yadira Hernandez Herrera, Director of Administration

By email: (preferable) yhernandez@ndlon.org
Subject line: “Communications & Technology Organizer”

By mail: 675 S Park View St. Ste B, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Questions: Please call 213.380.2201

You are just one of those open borders people!

Recently, I mentioned to someone that I was a volunteer for Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. (That's a slightly abbreviated version of a longer conversation.) This person responded with: "You're just one of those open border people!" I was taken aback because nothing I said really hinted at being "open border." I have actually been thinking about whether I am in that category or not--but it just seems that one can argue for comprehensive immigration reform, treating your immigrant neighbors with love and improving the life of workers in this country without having to argue against people that say that the United States has the right or responsibility to enforce its own borders.

Now I don't have to argue that. Jason L. Riley from the Wall Street Journal editorial board does it for us.







What could be a more conservative view of immigration and immigration policy reform? What do you think?