Immigration through the

Lens of Faith

A Toolkit for Prayerand Action

Interfaith Worker Justice

Contents

I. Introduction

II. InterfaithWorkerJusticeStatementofPrinciplesonImmigrationIssues

III. DebunkingImmigrationMyths

IV. TakeActionA. TakeActionInYourCongregation

• OpenLetterCondemningArizona’sUnjustImmigrationLaw• HowToPlanaPrayerVigil

B. TakeActionInYourCommunity• OrganizingaDelegationtoYourMemberofCongress

V. Worship/PrayerResourcesA. APrayerforImmigrantJusticeB. RemembertheImmigrantC. CelebratingImmigrants:AnInterfaithServiceD. ImmigrationBibleStudyandPrayer

VI. AdditionalResourcesA. ImmigrantsinScriptureB. WhatFaithGroupsSayAboutImmigrationReformC. RecommendedReading

Introduct ion

Whenanalienresideswithyouinyourland,youshallnotoppressthealien.Thealienwhoresideswithyoushallbetoyouasthecitizenamongyou;youshalllovethealienasyourself,foryouwerealiensinthelandofEgypt:IamtheLordyourGod.

Leviticus19:33‐34

OnJuly1,2010PresidentObamacalledonmembersofCongresstoshowthecouragetopasscomprehensiveimmigrationreform.Heacknowledgedthatthecountryhasbecomedeeplydividedonthisissue,andthatthevacuumcreatedbylackoffederalactionhasresultedinmisguidedattemptsbystatesandcitiestooverridefederallawand“gettough”onpeoplewholiveandworkintheU.S.withoutlegaldocumentation.ThereisnodenyingthattheimmigrationsystemintheU.S.isbroken.Morethan11millionundocumentedpeoplearelivinghere,includingchildrenraisedasAmericansandworkerswhohavebecomeanintegralpartoftheU.S.economy.Withoutlegalstatusimmigrantworkersarevictimsofeverykindoflaborabuseandcannotprotecttheirrightswithoutfearofdeportation.Thecontinuationofadebasedclassofworkers,whomemployerscananddounderpay,overwork,andviolatetheirlegalrights,contributestoadownwardpushonwagesandworkingconditionsforallworkersintheUnitedStates.Withofficialunemploymenthoveringneartenpercent,familiesandcommunitiesthroughouttheU.S.arefacingajobscrisismoreseverethananythingthathasbeenseensincetheGreatDepression.Thecrisiswasthedirectresultofdecisionsandpoliciesofbanksandinvestors,whomthegovernmentallowedtopushsub‐primemortgagesandtakeincredibleriskswithourmoneywithoutaneffectivesystemofregulations.Thebankswerebailedout,whilemillionsofworkerswereleftunemployedorunderemployed.Communitiesarereelingasmillionsfaceforeclosureorhavealreadylosttheirhomes,stateandlocalgovernmentsareunabletocontinuebasicservices

astheyfacedeclinesintaxrevenuecausedbytherecession,andyoutharefacingbleakprospectsforworkwithlongtermunemploymentsoaring.Manywhoarehurtandfrustratedbytheeconomiccrisisarescapegoatingimmigrants,asaresomepoliticalleadersseekingtoincreasesupportbyappearingtoughonillegalimmigration.Thisisunfortunatelynotnewinourhistory.ThroughoutthecolonialandnationalhistoryoftheAmericannation,differentgroupshavebeensingledoutasdetrimentaltothedominantcultureandasthreatstothejobsofthenativeborn.Germans,Irish,AfricanAmericans,Jews,Chinese,Japanese,PuertoRicans,ArabsandMuslimshavebeensostigmatized,whiletodayMexicansandotherLatinosbearthebruntofracistandanti‐immigrantanimus.Aspeopleoffaith,wearedeeplyconcernedbythepassageofSB1070inArizona.ThelawputsArizonaatthecenteroftheimmigrationdebateintheUnitedStates,adebateaboutwhatkindofcountrywewanttobe.UnderSB1070,Arizonapoliceofficersarerequiredtostopanyonetheyhave“areasonablesuspicion”isinthecountryillegally,askfortheirdocuments,andarrestandmovetowardsdeportationthosewhocannotprovetheirlegalstatus.Ifapersondrivesaneighborwhocannotproveimmigrationstatustochurchortoadoctor’sappointment,heorshecanbearrestedforcommittingacriminalmisdemeanor.Victimsofcrimewhoareundocumentedwouldcertainlystopcallingthepoliceandlegalresidentsandcitizenswhohaveundocumentedfriendsorfamilymemberswouldhesitatetoreportseriouscrimesaswell.Publicsafety,toleranceandneighborlinesswouldallbecompromised.ManyinthelawenforcementcommunityinArizonahavevoicedopposition,includingsomewhohavesaidtheywouldnotcomplywiththelaw.Thelawhascreatedenormousdivisionthroughoutthenation,withmanycallingforaboycottofthestate.TheU.S.DepartmentofJusticehasfiledalawsuitagainstthelawforillegallypreemptingthefederalgovernment’sresponsibilityoverimmigration.

TheissuesherearenotisolatedtoArizona.AsofJuly2010,twentyotherstateswereconsideringsimilarlegislation,aswerecountiesandmunicipalitiesthroughoutthenation.InterfaithWorkerJusticestandsinoppositiontoArizonaSB1070andattemptstousefearofimmigrantstopromotehatredandracismthroughoutthenation.IWJcallsforrealsolutionstotheproblemsinArizonaandtherestofthecountrythathavegeneratedsupportforSB1070andcopycateffortsinotherstates.Thetimetoreformourbrokenimmigrationsystemisnow.Undocumentedimmigrantsmustbeprovidedapathtolegalization,sothatthosewhohavelived,workedandpaidtaxesintheU.S.foryearscancomeoutoftheshadowsandlivewithoutfear.Alllaborandemploymentlawsmustbestrictlyenforced,tostoptheincentiveofemployerstouseimmigrantworkerstodepressstandardsforallU.S.

workers.Childrenmustnotbeseparatedfromtheirparents,norshouldspousesbetornapartbythelackofacrediblesystemoflegalimmigration.Atthesametime,thegovernmentmusthelpcreateandsustaingoodjobsthatallowworkerstosupporttheirfamiliesandliveindignity.Comprehensiveimmigrationreformisthepathtoasystemoflawswithjustice.Itisaresponsethatispragmaticandcanhelpworkers,familiesandcommunitiesrecoverfromtheeconomicstorms.Mostimportantly,itistherightandmoralalternativeforournation.InterfaithWorkerJusticehascreatedthisactiontoolkitforpeopleoffaithandconsciencetostandtogetherinoppositiontoArizona’slawandothermisguidedapproaches,andinsolidaritywithimmigrantsandallworkingpeople.Itincludesresourcesforcongregationsandworkeradvocatestoraisepropheticvoicesandcallforafutureofhope,toleranceandsharedprosperity.

ReformOur Immigrat ion SystemandProtect A l l Workers InterfaithWorkerJusticeaffirmsthatallworkersmustbehonoredandtreatedwithdignityandjustice.Whenweallowimmigrantworkerstobeexploited,welowerthestandardsforallworkers,nativebornandimmigrant,currentandfuture.Aspeopleoffaith,werecognizeandhonorthesocialandeconomiccontributionsmadebyimmigrantworkers,regardlessoftheirnationaloriginorimmigrationstatus.Ourimmigrationsystemisbroken—workersareexploitedandfamiliesarebeingseparated—andweallsufferasaresult.Weknowthatpeopleofgoodwillhavedifferentviews,andthatsomefeelthatundocumentedimmigrantstakejobsandresourcesfromthosewhowereborninthiscountryorhavebecomelegalresidentsorcitizens.Butwedecrythatthedebatehasbecomeracialized,andthatimmigrantsarestigmatizedandblamedforeconomicproblemsthatgreed,unregulatedmarkets,andthelackofcoherentgovernmentjobspolicieshavecreated.Reformingourimmigrationlawsandtheirenforcementismorallyimperativeandfundamentaltorestoringjusticeandequityintheworkplaceandthecommunity.Wemustalsounderstandthatmigrationoccursinthecontextofaglobaleconomy,andthatwemustunderstandandaddressU.S.tradeandforeignpoliciesthatcanweakentheeconomiesofothercountriesandincreasemigration.Wecallonourpolitical,business,religious,andlaborleaderstomaintaincivilityandrespectinthedebatesovercomprehensiveimmigrationreformandupholdtheseprinciples:

Laborandemploymentlawsmustbevigorouslyenforcedforallworkers.

Immigrantswholiveintheshadowsforfearofdetentionanddeportationoftendonotcomeforwardtocomplainaboutstolenwages,unsafeworkplaces,illegalunion‐busting,ordiscriminatorypractices.Allworkerssufferwhentheseabusesgounchecked.

Governmentagenciesthatenforcelabor

lawsmustmaintainanunbreakablefirewallwiththeImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementagency(ICE).

ThereisaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MOU)betweenICEandtheU.S.DepartmentofLaborthattheoreticallyprotectsundocumentedworkerswhofilecomplaintsaboutlaborabusesfrombeingsubjecttoimmigrationenforcementactionswhiletheseabusesareinvestigated.However,ICEinvestigationsandworkplaceraidshavealltooroutinelyoccurredafterworkerscomeforwardtoreportwagetheft,childlabor,healthandsafetyviolations,anddiscrimination,orduringunionorganizingcampaigns.Thefirewallmustbestrengthened,publicizedandenforced.

AfairandreasonableprocesstoregularizethestatusofthemillionsofundocumentedimmigrantsintheUnitedStatesmustbecreated.

ImmigrantswhohavelivedandworkedintheU.S.,contributingtotheeconomic,culturalandsocialfabricofourcommunities,mustbeprovidedwithaprocesstoachievelegalstatusandcomeoutoftheshadows.

AsystemtodeterminetheissuanceofvisasforworkersmustbebasedontheneedsoftheAmericaneconomyatanygiventime,withoutregardtorace,ethnicity,orcountryoforigin.

Thecurrentsystemsetsarbitrarynumbersofvisastobeissuedeachyear,withquotasbasedoncountryoforigin.

Youshallnotwrongastrangeroroppresshim,foryouwerestrangersinthelandofEgypt.

Exodus22:21PrinciplesaffirmedatDecember2009InterfaithWorkerJusticeBoardMeeting.

Debunking Immigrat ionMyths Myth:Immigrantsdon’tpaytaxes.Mostimmigrants,whetherdocumentedornot,paytaxeslikeeveryoneelse:Payrolltaxes.Manyundocumentedworkershavepayrolltaxes—SocialSecurityandMedicare—withheldbytheiremployers,eventhoughundocumentedworkerswillnotreceiveanybenefitsfromtheseprograms.In2003,thegovernmentcollectedanestimated$7billioninSocialSecuritytaxesfrom7.5millionworkersandtheiremployersinwhichtheSocialSecuritynumbersdidnotmatchthetaxpayeridentificationnumber.Thisdollaramounthasmorethantripledinthelastdecade.1Salestax.Undocumentedimmigrantspaysalestaxwhentheyshop,justlikeeveryoneelse.Propertytax.Whethertheyrentorownhomes,undocumentedimmigrantspaypropertytax.Homeownerspaythetaxdirectly,butrenterspaypropertytaxesindirectly,sincelandlordssetrentsatratesthatallowthemtopaytaxesontheirrentalunits.Myth:Immigrantstakemoreingovernmentservicesthantheypayforintaxes.AlargebodyofevidenceconcludesthatundocumentedimmigrantsarenetcontributorstotheU.S.economy,providingmuchmoreintaxespaidandworkprovidedthantheyreceiveinpublicbenefits.ArecentpaperoftheNationalImmigrationLawCenter,“PayingTheirWayandThenSome,”2reviewsstudiesfromdisparatesourcesthatreinforcethisconclusion.Undocumentedimmigrantsprobablypaymoreintaxesperpersonthanpeoplewhoarelegal

1JaneGuskinandDavidWilson.ThePoliticsofImmigration,TheMonthlyReviewPress,March20072NationalImmigrationLawCenter,“PayingTheirWayandThenSome:FactsAbouttheContributionsofImmigrantstoEconomicGrowthandPublicInvestment,”September,2006.ContactTylerMoran,moran@nilc.orgforacopyofthisstudy.

immigrantsornative‐bornAmericansofthesameincomelevel.Low‐incomefamiliesgenerallygetbackmoneyfromtheirfederalincometaxreturns,becauseoftheEarnedIncomeTaxCredit.Undocumentedimmigrantsarenoteligibleforthistaxcredit.A2006studyconductedbyTexasStateComptrollerCaroleKeetonStrayhorn,aRepublican,concludedthatundocumentedimmigrantsgenerated$1.58billioninstaterevenues,andreceivedonly$1.16billioninstateservices.Thereportalsofoundthat“theabsenceoftheestimated1.4millionundocumentedimmigrantsinTexasinfiscal2005wouldhavebeenalosstoourgrossstateproductof$17.7billion.”3Myth:ImmigrantstakeAmericanjobs.Accordingtoa2007reportbythePresident’sCouncilofEconomicAdvisers,“immigrantsnotonlyhelpfueltheNation’seconomicgrowth,butalsohaveanoverallpositiveeffectontheincomeofnative‐bornworkers.”4TheconservativeAlexisdeTocquevilleInstitutionreleasedareportthatconcludedthatimmigrants"createatleastasmanyjobsastheytake."5Theydo"take"jobs,buttheyalsobuygoodsandservices,thuscreatingmorejobsandcontributingtooveralleconomicgrowth. Ifundocumentedimmigrantssometimesbringdownwages(thisisminimal,andmostlyinlow‐skill,low‐wagejobs),itisprimarilybecauseofthefactthat

3CaroleKeetonStrayhorn,TexasComptroller,SpecialReport:UndocumentedImmigrantsinTexas:AFinancialAnalysisoftheImpacttotheStateBudgetandEconomy.Austin,TX:December2006,p.1.4President’sCouncilofEconomicAdvisors,“Immigration’sEconomicImpact”2007,http://georgewbush‐whitehouse.archives.gov/cea/cea_immigration_062007.html5RichardVedder,LowellGallaway,andStephenMoore,“ImmigrationandUnemployment:NewEvidence,”AlexisdeTocquevilleInstitution,Arlington,VA(Mar.1994)Seealso:RichardVedder,"ImmigrationDoesn'tDisplaceNatives,"WallStreetJournal,March28,1994,p.A12

theylacklegalstatus–theseworkersareexploitedandconstantlythreatenedwiththepossibilityofdeportation.Theyarethusforcedtoputupwithlowpayandpoorconditions.Moststudiesshowthatlegalizationwouldraisewagesinthesetypesofjobs,becauseworkerscouldorganizeforbetterpayandemployerscouldnotscareimmigrantsintoacceptingpoorwagesandconditions.

Myth:Immigrantsdon’twanttolearnEnglishorbecomeAmericans.

Within10yearsofarrival,morethanseventy‐fivepercentofimmigrantsspeakEnglishwell.Ninety‐onepercentofsecondgenerationimmigrantsarefluentornearfluentEnglishspeakers.Bythethirdgeneration,ninety‐sevenpercentspeakEnglishfluentlyornearfluently.6

Myth:Therearemanymoreimmigrantstodaythantherewereonehundredyearsago.

TheportionoftheU.S.populationthatwasborninanothercountryin2002wasaboutelevenandahalfpercent;intheearlytwentiethcentury,itwasapproximatelyfifteenpercent.7

Myth:Mostimmigrantscrosstheborderillegally.

Approximatelyseventy‐fivepercentoftoday’simmigrantshavelegalpermanentvisas;ofthetwenty‐fivepercentthatareundocumented,fortypercentoverstayedtemporaryvisas.8

Myth:Immigrationreformcannothappeninanelectionyear.

6ShirinHakimzadehandD’VeraCohn,“EnglishUsageAmongHispanicsintheUnitedStates,”PewHispanicForum,Dec.6,2007.http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=82;JanetMurguiaandCeciliaMuñoz,“FromImmigranttoCitizen,”TheAmericanProspect(Oct.23,2005),http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?articleId=10487,AmericanImmigrationLawyersAssociation,Myths&FactsintheImmigrationDebate",8/14/037http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/censr‐4.pdf8DepartmentofHomelandSecurityhttp://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/statistics/index.htm

Everymajorpieceofimmigrationreformofthelastfewdecadeswaspassedinanelectionyear,9including:

• RefugeeActof1980‐establishedasystemforhumanitarianprotectionandrefugeeandasylumadmissions.

• ImmigrationReformandControlActof1986‐madeitillegaltohireundocumentedimmigrants,gaveamnestyto2.7millionundocumentedimmigrants.

• ImmigrationActof1990‐increasedthenumberofvisasgiventohighlyskilledworkers.

• IllegalImmigrationReformandImmigrantResponsibilityActof1996‐chargedimmigrationagencieswithimplementingnewlawenforcementmandates.

Manyofthesebillswerecontroversialandcametogetheratthelastminute.ThepublicoutrageoverSB1070inArizonaandPresidentObama’sJuly1,2010commitmenttocomprehensiveimmigrationreformmayprovideanopeningforrealreformtopass.Butonlyifweact!

9Meissner,Doris.“5MythsaboutImmigration.”WashingtonPost,May2,2010

Take Act ion in Your Congregat ionCongregationsarepoisedtoplayacriticalroleincreatingjustandcompassionateimmigrationpoliciesinthenation.Immigrantsareintegralpartsofcongregationallife.Immigrantsarerevivingolder,dyingcongregationswithnewimmigrantmembersandvibranttraditions.Immigrantsarestartingnewcongregationsinhundredsofcommunities.ImmigrantsareaddingdiversityandvitalitytoCatholic,Protestant,Jewish,Muslim,HinduandBuddhistfaithtraditions.Giventhecorevaluesofwelcomingimmigrantsandlovingourneighborsasourselves,itisappropriatethatcongregationsplaysignificantrolesinadvocatingjustcomprehensiveimmigrationreform.Eachcongregationcanmakeadifference.Herearesomesuggestionsforyourcongregationtoadvocatejustimmigrationreform:PrayandWorship:Liftupimmigrantsandimmigrationreform.

1. Useready‐madeprayerandworshipresourcessuchasthe2010PrayerforImmigrants.Severaloftheseareincludedinthistoolkit.

2. Createyourownprayerandworshipresources.Pleasebesuretoshareanythatwouldbehelpfultoothercongregations.Sendtocbrooke@iwj.org.

3. Preachaboutyourfaithtradition’spositionsonimmigrantsandimmigrationreform.

4. Inviteanimmigrantleadertospeakinworshiporbeforeorafterservice.Theremaybeimmigrantswithinyourcongregationwhocouldsharetheirstoriesanddreams.Or,considercontactinganimmigrantrightsorganizationorworkerscentertofindaneloquentspokespersontoaddressthecongregation.

Education:Learnmoreaboutimmigrationreform

1. Readabookaboutimmigrantsandimmigrationreformaspartofanadult

educationclassorbookclub.Appropriatebooksareincludedattheendofthistoolkit.

2. Organizeanimmigrationreformforuminyourcongregationinvitingexpertsfromlocalimmigrantrightsorganizations,universitiesandworkerscenterstoparticipate.

3. Planorparticipateinaneducationalimmersionprogramtotheborder.Formoreinformation,contactBorderLinksatwww.borderlinks.org.

PutYourFaithintoAction:Advocatejustandcomprehensiveimmigrationreform.

1. Sendlettersandemailsandplacecallstoelectedleaders.Setasidetimebefore,betweenorafterservicestoassistpeopleincommunicatingwiththeirtwoSenatorsandtheirCongressionalrepresentative.Sincemostpeoplehavenevercontactedtheirelectedleadersandareunfamiliarwithhowtodoit(andmaynotevenbesurewhotheirelectedleadersare),besuretohavealltheinformationyouneedtomakeiteasyforpeopletoparticipate.Forexample,youmightprovidesampleletters,sampleemails,andsamplemessagesforcalls.Makesureyouhavepaper,pens,computers,phonesorwhateversuppliesyouneed.Ifyourcongregationhasmembersfrommorethanonecongressionaldistrict,makesureyougetmapsofthedistrictssoyoucanhelppeopleknowwhotheirrepresentativesare.

2. InviteyourCongressionalrepresentativeto

speakatyourcongregation.Invitetherepresentativetosharehisorherviewsandanswerquestionsoncomprehensiveimmigrationreformtoanadultforumatthecongregation.Besuretopreparesomequestionsfortherepresentative.For

assistancewiththequestionsandbackgroundonyourrepresentative’spositiononcomprehensiveimmigrationreform,contactTedSmuklerattsmukler@iwj.org.Ifyouliveinastatewithasmallpopulationand/orworshipinaverylargecongregation,considerinvitingaSenatoraswelltoaddressthecongregants.

3. Participateincommunity‐wideralliesand

activities.Congregationsshouldbevisiblein

communityeventsadvocatingjustandcomprehensiveimmigrationreform.Createandwearcongregationalt‐shirts.Createandcarryacongregationalbanner.Participate,butalsomakesureyouarevisible.

4. Getcongregants,friendsandfamilytosign

anopenlettertoBarackObama,ArizonaGovernorJanBrewer,andmembersofCongress.(Theletterimmediatelyfollowsinthistoolkit).

Open Letter to Pres ident Barack Obama, Ar i zona Governor Jan Brewer , and Members o f Congress

APetitionforpeopleoffaithandconscience,whoopposeArizona'snewimmigrationlaw,SB1070.

We,theundersigned,aspeopleoffaithandconscience,standinoppositiontoArizonaSB1070andattemptstousefearofimmigrantstopromotehatredandracismthroughoutthenation.WefurthercallforrealsolutionstotheproblemsinArizonaandthroughoutthenationthathavegeneratedsupportforSB1070andcopycateffortsinotherstates: 1.ComprehensiveImmigrationReformmustbeenactedatthenationallevel,tohelpthosewhohavelived,workedandpaidtaxesinthiscountryforyearstocomeoutoftheshadowsandhaveapathtolegalizationandcitizenship,andtoprotectallU.S.residents,nativebornandimmigrantalike. 2.Nationallegislationmustcreateandsustaingoodjobsinsufficientnumberstoendthecrisisofunemploymentandunderemployment.Wedefinegoodjobsasthosethatprovidelivingwages,basicbenefits,dignityattheworkplace,andtherighttoorganizeaunionifworkerssochoose. 3.Theremustbestrictenforcementofalllaborandemploymentlaws,sothatemployerscannotusethevulnerabilityofundocumentedworkerstodrivedownlaborstandardsforallworkersintheU.S.____________________________________ ________________________________________FirstName: LastName _________________________________________________Email_______________________________________________________________________________Street City State Zip____________________________________ ________________________________________Title OrganizationPleasegetsignaturestoInterfaithWorkerJustice,1020W.BrynMawr,Chicago,IL60660byJuly27,2010.TheletterswillbedeliveredonJuly29.OryoucanurgepeopletosigntheletteronlinebygoingtotheInterfaithWorkerJusticewebsite:www.iwj.org.

Interfaith Worker Justice • www.iwj.org

What is the purpose of our prayer vigil? • Arewetryingtobringattentiontoaspecificsitua-

tiontoillustratetheimpactofalargerpolicyissue?• Arewetryingtodiffuseahostileemployer/union

dispute?• Areweattemptingtoreachlocalornationalelected

officials?• Arewetryingtohighlightthelocalimpactofna-

tionallegislationorpublicpolicies?

Who is our audience? • Arewetargetingaspecificemployerorcorporate

structure?• Areweattemptingtoengagelocalcommunitylead-

ersandelectedofficialsinaworkerjusticestruggle?• Arewelookingforcommunitysupportforaspe-

cificissue?• Arewedoingthisaloneandinonegeographic

locationorarewecoordinatingouractivitieswithgroupsinothercommunities?

What do we want to see happen? • Dowewantcontractnegotiationstoresume?• Dowewanthealthandsafetyissuesaddressed?• Dowewantanelectedofficialtopubliclysupport

ourcause?

Nowthatwehaveansweredthesebasicquestions,wecanstartworkingonthelogisticsfortheprayervigil.

Location• Isthelocationavailableandappropriateforyour

event?• Isthereparkingand/orpublictransportation?• Isishandicappedaccessible?• Doyouneedpermitstousethespace(especially

commonforcityandothergovernmentspaces)?• Isthereelectricityandsoundequipmentavailable

(importantifyouexpectlargenumbers)?• Isthelocationanappropriatesizeforyourevent?• Ifthevenueisoutdoors,doyouhaveaplanfor

inclementweather?

Coordination• Haveyouidentifiedfaithleaderstoattendtheevent?• Istheresomeonewhocanactasthevigilleader?• Whoisresponsibleforinvitingfaithandothercom-

munityleaderstotheevent?• Istherearolefornon-clergyparticipation?• Haveyoubeeninclusiveinrecruitingparticipants,

includingage,gender,religious,ethnicanddenomi-nationaldiversity?

• Willtherebemusic?Whowillleadit?

Logistics • Doyouhavesoundandlightingequipmentinnec-

essary?• Doyouhavebannersandsigns?• Doyouhavecandles,flowersorothermaterialsfor

theevent?• Isthereaprintedprogram?• Doyouneedsongbooks?• Doyouneedapodium,chairsorwater?• Haveyouassignedsomeonetotakephotos?• Doyouneedtranslation?

Press• Whowillcreateapresslist?• Whowillwritethepressreleaseandmakefollow-

upcalls?

Promotion and Turnout• Doyouhaveaflyer?• DoyouhaveaFacebookeventpage?• Haveyousentoutane-mailblast?• Haveyousentouttextmessagestoincreaseturnout?

H o w t o P l a n a P r a y e r V i g i l

Aprayervigilcangivepowerfulexpressiontothepropheticvoiceonissuesfacingworkers.Peopleoffaithcanstandwithworkersandliftupthesacredtextsoftheirfaithtraditions,offerprayer,reflection,meditationandsongasawaytostandinsolidaritywiththestrugglesofworkers.

Prayervigilsalsocommunicatetopublicofficials,thebusinesscommunityandotherstheconcernsofpeopleoffaithforworkerjustice,andcanprovideamoralperspectiveonthoseissues.

Thisresourceisdesignedtoassistyouinplanningaprayervigiltosupportworkerjustice.Thefocuscanbeprayerforworkersinaunionorganizingdriveorcontractdispute,prayerforemployerswhohavestolenwagesorinjuredworkers,prayerforpublicofficialstoconsiderapublicpolicyissuethatwillhaveasignificantimpactonworkingfamilies,orprayertobringhealingandreconnecttobothworkersandmanagersoranentirecommunity.

Thekeytoanysuccessfuleventisalwaystheplanning,andaprayervigilisnodifferent.Asyoubeginplanningyourprayervigilaskthefollowingquestions:

Interfaith Worker Justice • www.iwj.org

Thefollowingideasmayhelpyouplanyourvigilprogram.

Welcome and introductionHaveyourkeyspeakerorvigilleaderpresentthefocusoftheprayervigil.Heorshecandotheopeningprayer(orintroducethepersonwhodoes)andreviewthevigilprogram.Theleadercanreviewthepurposeofthevigilandexplainwhypeopleoffaithcareaboutthisissue.Youshouldmakesuretoconsciouslyrefertothoseaffectedbytheissueandwhythisvigilisimportanttothem.

Scripture and Sacred TextsYoumayaskpeopletoreadrelevanttextrelatedtoworkerjustice.Seeww.iwj.orgforsuggestions.Itiscriticaltoplacetheissuesinamoralframeworkbasedontheteachingsofourfaithtraditions.Usingscrip-tureandsacredtextsillustratesthemoralframeworkofworkerjusticeandbuildssolidaritywithworkersandtheirallies.

ReflectionParticipantswhosharereflectionsfromscriptureandsacredtextsprovideaframeworkforthereal-lifesitua-tionsthatarethecentralfocusoftheprayervigil.Youcaninvitereligiousleaderstooffershortreflectionsonthetextoronthesituation.

Prayer and MeditationManyreligioustraditionshaveapracticeofspeakingtothecreator,ahigherpower,toinvokethepresenceofthesacredtointerveneinthepursuitofjustice.Youmayhaveonepersonprayormultiplepeoplepray.Thosewhoofferprayerormeditationshoulddosofromtheirfaithperspective.Thisisanopportunitytocelebratethediversityofthosewhostandwithusinthestruggleforjustice.ConsiderhavingpeopleprayinlanguagesotherthanEnglishandremembertobeinclusiveintermsofage,genderanddenominationaldiversity.Iftherearemultipleprayers,peoplecanleadprayersinthewaytheyaremostcomfortable.Iftherewillbeonlyonepersonprayingyoumaywanttoaskthepersonifheorshecouldprayinawaythatisinclusiveaspossible.

Music and Song Musiccanbringpeopletogetherandbolsterourcom-mitmenttojustice.Inaddition,thepresenceofmusicmakestheeventfunandcreatesamemorableexperi-ence.YoucanrequestacopyofIWJ’sRallySongBook,whichcontainsanumberofsongsappropriateforaprayervigil.Don’thesitatetoinvitelocalmusicians,churchensemblesorsoloiststosingatyourevent!Usemusicandsongstobreakupthetalkingheads.

SpeakersOften,workersfacingproblemsaretheprinciplespeakersatevents.UnionleadersorCentralLaborCouncilleadersmayalsobeprimaryspeakers.Makesureyoudon’thavetoomanyspeakers. The EndTheendisthebeginning!Makesuretothankevery-onewhoattendsandhaveawaytocollectnamesande-mailstokeepthemupdatedontheissues,includinganyvictories.Distributeanyeducationalmaterialsandleteveryoneknowaboutfollow-upactivitiesthathavebeenscheduled.Aclosingprayer,songorchantsignalsthattheeventhasconcludedandallowspar-ticipantstoexitfeelinguplifted.

IfyouhavequestionsonprayervigilscontactRenayeManley,unionandcongregationaloutreachdirector,InterfaithWorkerJustice,atrmanley@iwj.org.InterfaithWorkerJusticeisanationalorganizationthatorganizes,educatesandmobilizespeopleoffaithtosupportissuesofworkers,especiallyworkersinlow-wagejobs.

V i g i l P r o g r a m

Interfaith Worker Justice • www.iwj.org

V i g i l C h e c k l i s t

Two to three weeks before your event

qPuttogetheracoreplanningteam–inviteleadersofothergroupswhosemembersshareyourconcerns.

qSecureanappropriatelocation.

qFindoutifyouwillneedpermissiontousethelocation.

qInvitespeakers,findaphotographerifyouwantphotosorvideoofyourevent,determinewhatmaterialsyouwillneedandadaptthemforyourevent.

qBegininvitingpeopletoyoureventthroughwordofmouth,newsletters,bulletins,web-sites,blogsandthee-maillistsofeverygroupthatisinvolvedinplanningyourevent.

qMakesureyouhaveatranslatorifneeded.

One week before your event

qBegingatheringallthestuffyouwillneed,includingcopiesofallmaterials.Confirmtheavailabilityofsoundandelectricalequipmentsuchasmicrophonesandextensioncords.

qGooverthevigilprogramandidentifyappro-priateindividualstospeakandpray.Gener-ally,it’sgoodtohavejustoneortwospeakerstolead,butitmaybenicetoopenuptothebroadergrouptooffershortprayersattheend.

The day before your event

qMakesureyouhaveallequipmentreadyforthenextday,yourspeakersandthevigilleaderforyoureventareprepared,andanyotherpeoplewhoarestaffingtheeventknowtheirroles.Othersstaffingtheeventmightbeinchargeofthesign-intable,takingpictures,handingoutprograms,welcomingpressandhandingoutnewsrelease.

qCallallspeakerstoremindthemofeventloca-tionandtimes.

qPrepareasign-insheetforparticipants,soyoucancontinuetocommunicatewiththemaftertheeventisover.

qMakesurethatyoursignsandbannersarepreparedandreadytogo.

qMakesuretoe-mailandcallallpress.

qE-mailyourlistandpostanupdateorremind-eronFacebook.

qMakelastminuteremindercalls.

The day of your event

qCallande-mailallpress.

qArriveearlytosetup–giveyourselfandyourteamplentyoftimetoset-upsoundequip-mentandtables.

qGreetparticipants,givethemacopyoftheprayervigilprogramandaskthemtosignupforfutureupdates.

qGreetreporters,givethemacopyofyourpressreleaseandaskthemtosigninonasheetofpaper–askfortheirname,mediaoutlet,e-mailaddressandphonenumber(youmayneedtheircontactinformationforthenexteventortofollowup).

qAfterthevigilisover,makesuretothankeveryoneandletthemknowhowtostayin-volved!

The week after your event

qFollowuptothankyourspeakersandthosewhoattendedyourevent.

Take Act ion in Your Community Peopleoffaitharepartofcommunitiesaswellascongregations.Educationandactiontakeninthewidercommunitycanputourfaithintoactionandconnectthefaithcommunitywiththosewhosharevaluesandconcerns.Hereareafewwaysyoucanworkinyourcommunitytosupportimmigrantsandadvocateforcomprehensiveimmigrationreform.OrganizeaCommunityForum:ForumsprovideanopportunityforthereligiouscommunitytocreateasafeandopenspaceforpeopletosharetheirstoriesandstruggleswithcurrentU.S.immigrationpolicy.Communityforumsencouragedialogueandofferanopportunitytoreframeissuesandintroducealternativeperspectivesandsolutionsgroundedinreligiousvalues.Whenorganizingacommunityforumitisimportanttoreachoutbeyondone’sreligioustraditiontoensurebroadcommunityrepresentation.Considerinvitingrespectedleaderstosponsorandhelphosttheforums.

OrganizeanInterfaithPrayerVigil:Asworkersstrugglefordignityintheirwork,thereligiouscommunitycansupportthembygatheringtoprayforchangeandjustice.Inpublicspace,withimmigrantsandworkers,religiouspeoplecanwitnesstothelargercommunitybyprayingalongsidestrugglingworkers.Ifyourcommunityisinterestedinorganizinganinterfaithprayervigil,contactyourlocalInterfaithWorkerJusticeaffiliateorusetheIWJpublication“HowtoOrganizeaPrayerVigil”,includedinthistoolkit.

OrganizeaLetterWritingCampaign:Electedofficialsrespondtodirectcommunicationfromtheirconstituents.Organizealetter‐writingtableonastreetcorner,atapublicmeeting,acommunityorganizationoffice,oranotherappropriateopportunity.

BuildanInterfaithImmigrationCoalition:Thereligiouscommunityismosteffectivewhenitjoinswithotherreligiousandcommunitygroupstoaffectchange.Beginbytalkingwithorganizationsthatshareyourconcerns.Ifthereisinterestinformingacoalition,readthecoalitionchapterinOrganizingforSocialChangebyKimBobo,JackieKendall,andSteve

Maxforsomesoundtipsonmovingforward.YoucangetacopythroughAmazon.com.

Arrangeforadelegationtomeetwithyourelectedleaders:Oneofthemostimportantthingsyoucandoistoorganizeadelegation(ormultipledelegations)tomeetwithyourelectedleadersurgingtheirsupportforcomprehensiveimmigrationreform.Manyelectedleadersareconfusedontheissuesorscaredtostepforwardgiventhepoliticsofthemoment.Encouragethepoliticianstodotherightthing.Helpprovidethemthepoliticalspacetosupportcomprehensiveimmigrationreform.Formoreinformation,seetheIWJresource,“OrganizinganInterfaithDelegationtoYourMemberofCongress”,includedinthistoolkit.

Conductavoterregistrationdriveoflegalimmigrants.Toomanylegalimmigrantsarenotregisteredtovote.Youcanhelpthemregisterandthushaveaclearervoiceintheimmigrationdebate.

Supportyourlocalworkerscenter.Workerscentersaroundthecountryarestandingwithlow‐wageandimmigrantworkerstomakesuretheyarepaidforalltheirworkandprovidedwithsafeworkingconditions.Unfortunately,toomanyimmigrantworkersareexploitedbyunethicalemployers.Workerscentershelpworkersrecovertheirunpaidwagesanddemandthatworkplacesaremadesafe.Someofthesecentersorganizeonamulti‐racial,multi‐ethniclevel.Theseworkerscentersneedmoney,volunteersandsupport.Jointheminregularsupportofworkerswhoareparticularlyvulnerablewithoutimmigrationreform.ContactDianneEnriquez:denriquez@iwj.org.

Standwithworkersorganizingunions.Unionsareoneofthebestprotectionsforlow‐wageandimmigrantworkers.Whenjanitors,hotelworkers,drywallersorothersworkersdecidetoorganizeaunionandseekajustcontract,theydeserveyoursupport.GetinvolvedthroughthelocalInterfaithWorkerJusticeaffiliateorcontactgroupsofworkersdirectlythatyouseeorreadaboutwhoareorganizing.

Organiz ing an Inter fa i th Delegat ion to Your Member o f Congress ImmigrantWorkers:AnIssueofJusticefortheFaithCommunityTheU.S.isanationthathasalwaysdependedonimmigrantstoworkinitsfactories,fields,minesandconstructionsites,doingthehardworkthathascreatedthewealthofthenation.Butashashappenedthroughoutourhistory,immigrantworkersandtheoverallimmigrantcommunityareunderattacktoday.Foreign‐bornworkersareblamedformanyoftheillsoftheU.S.economy,includinglowandstagnantwagesandthelossofdecentjobs.Manyemployers,includingentireindustriessuchasmeatprocessing,agriculture,andgarmentassemblyreadilyhireundocumentedworkersandguestworkersbecausetheseimmigrantshavefeweroptionsthanotherworkers,aremorevulnerableiftheycomplainaboutabusesorattempttoorganizeaunion,andareeasiertoexploit.Theproblemisnottheworkers—itistheirlegalstatus.Nowmorethanever,theU.S.needstooverhaulanimmigrationsystemthatdoesn’tworkforanybody,asetoflawsandinstitutionsthatactuallyencouragesasecondclassofworkerswithfewrights.Ourreligioustraditionsteachustowelcomethestranger,“foryouwereonceastranger.”Inthatspirit,InterfaithWorkerJustice(IWJ)invitesyoutoorganizeaninterfaithdelegationtoyourrepresentative.Thesedelegationsshouldfocusontwomainconcerns:

• ComprehensiveImmigrationReformmustbeenactedatthenationallevel,tohelpthosewhohavelived,workedandpaidtaxesinthiscountryforyearstocomeoutoftheshadowsandhaveapathtolegalizationandcitizenship,andtoprotectallU.S.residents,nativebornandimmigrantalike.

• Wemustrestorecivilityinthedebateaboutimmigrationreform.

TheMeetingThemeetingistocreateadialogueabouthowwecanworktogethertoensurejusticeforallworkers—citizens,legalresidents,guestworkers,andundocumentedworkers.Themeetingwillallowtherepresentativetohearandconsiderthereligiousperspectiveontheseissues.ArrangetheMeetingAskforameetingwiththecongresspersoninhisorherlocaloffice,inordertobringastrongdelegationoflocalfaithleaders.TherearetimesthatCongressisoutofsession,sometimesforlengthyperiods,whenyourrepresentativewillbeindistrictandshouldbeavailabletomeetwithadelegation.Writealetteraskingforameetingtodiscussimmigrationissueswithadelegationoffaithleaders.Oneormoreprominentreligiousleadersshouldsigntheletter.Calltheschedulerofthecongresspersononeweekaftersendingtheletter,ifyoudon’treceiveareply.Bepersistent.HoldaPre‐meetingArrangeatimetomeetforanhourandahalforsobeforethescheduledappointmentwithyourcongressionalrepresentative.Considermeetingatarestaurant,placeofworship,orcommunitycenternearyourcongressmember’soffice.Atthepre‐meeting,clarifythepurposeofthedelegation’svisit,selectafacilitator,reviewtheproposedagenda,decideonroles(whowillsaywhat),andremindpeoplethatunityisimportant,soissueswithoutconsensusshouldnotberaisedatthemeeting.

Atypicalmeetingmightlooklikethis:OpeningDesignateadelegatetoopenthemeetingwithprayer.(Besensitivetointerfaithrepresentativesintheroom.)HavethefacilitatorthankthememberofCongress(orlegislativeaide)forhisorhertimeandoutlinehowthegroupwouldlikethemeetingtoproceed.IntroductionsEachpersonshouldintroducehimselforherself.Thisisnotatimetobehumble!Giveallrelevanttitles,communityconnections,andreasonswhyyoucouldinfluenceotherconstituents.IssueBackgroundHavedesignatedindividualswhoareconfidentabouttheissuesmakethecaseonourimmigrationissues.SupportforOurIssuesTherestofthedelegatesshoulddescribetheirconcernswiththecurrentimmigrationsystemandtheirreligioustraditions’teachingsfortherespectofhumandignityandtheteachingsonhowtotreatstrangersamongusandthosewhoworkforwages.

QuestionstoMemberofCongressThemeetingfacilitatorshouldaskthepoliticalleaderwhereshestandsonimmigrationissues.Doesshesupportouragenda?Ifnot,whatarethepointsofdifference?MemberofCongressResponseOpentheconversationtoallowthecongresspersonorsenatortodiscusswhathethinkscanhappenatthistimeandwhatroleheintendstoplay.Sometimestheelectedleaderhasquestions.Answerthemifyoucan.Ifnot,promisetogetbacktohimwithanswers.Oftentheofficialsayshewantstostudytheissueandcampaign.Askwhenyoucanfollowuptofindoutwhathisdecisionis.Sometimestheleaderagrees.Thankhimandaskwhatotherideashehasforreachingotherlegislators.ClosingThanktheelectedleaderforthemeeting.Confirmthenextsteps(suchasthatyouwillgetbackwithinformationtoansweraparticularquestion).Closewithprayer.EvaluatetheMeetingSendabriefevaluation,includingcommitmentsmadebythememberofCongressandbyyourgroup,toTedSmukler:tsmukler@iwj.org.

2010 Prayer for Immigrants Leader: DearGod,weofferaspecialprayerfortheimmigrantsinourcommunity,All:Wholivebesideus,workwithusandattendschoolswithus.Leader: Youcallus,likeyoucalledtheIsraelites,totreatimmigrantslivinginourmidstas

wewouldtreatallothers.All:Loveimmigrantsasyourself,foryouwerestrangersinthelandofEgypt.(Leviticus

19:34)Leader: MostAmericanscametothenationasimmigrants.All:Weareanationbuiltuponthehardworkandcontributionsofimmigrants.Leader: Weliftupournationanditsleadersaswegrapplewiththeissueofimmigration.All:Givewisdomandknowledgetoournation’sleaders.Leader: Maytheycraftasystemoflawsandgovernancethatprovideimmigrantsand

communitiesfairness,loveandcompassion.All:Allofushavearoletoplayinwelcomingimmigrants.Leader: Wecaninsistthatimmigrantsarewelcomeinourcongregationsand

neighborhoods.All:Wecanensurethatimmigrantworkersarepaidfairlyfortheirwork.Leader: God,weaskyoutohelpustodoourshareintreatingallofourneighborsas

ourselves,immigrantandnativebornalike.Helpustocontinueliftingupimmigrantsandournation’sleadersaswemoveforwardoncraftingpoliciesforimmigrationreform.ThesethingsweaskinYourname,

All:Amen.

Remember the Immigrant

Leader: We serve a God who directs us to care espe-cially for those most vulnerable in society. OurScriptures tell us of God’s special concern forthe “alien” or the “stranger,” or as more con-temporary translations say—the immigrant.

All: For the Lord our God is God of gods andLord of lords, the great God, mighty andawesome, who shows no partiality andaccepts no bribes. God defends the cause ofthe orphan and the widow, and loves theimmigrant, giving the immigrant food and clothing. And weare to love those who are immigrants, for God’s people wereimmigrants in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19)

Leader: We ask God to open our eyes to the struggles of immigrant work-ers, for we know that

All: We must not take advantage of a hired worker who is poorand needy, whether the worker is a resident or immigrantliving in our town. We must pay the worker the wagespromptly because the worker is poor and counting on it.(Deuteronomy 24:14)

Leader: God’s desire is that those who build houses may live in them,

All: And that those who plant may eat. (Isaiah 65:22)

Leader: And yet we know this is not possible for many in our midst.

All: We know of:farmworkers who cannot feed their families.construction workers who have no homes.nursing home workers who have no health care.restaurant workers who could not afford a meal in the restaurant.

Leader: We know that too many immigrant workers among us are not receiv-ing the fruits of their labor, nor the justice required by the courts.

All: God charges our judges to hear disputes and judge fairly,whether the case involves citizens or immigrants.(Deuteronomy 1:16)

Leader: But our laws do not adequately protect immigrants. Our legal andsocial service programs exclude many immigrants. Our educationprograms undervalue immigrant children.

All: God tells us that the community is to have the same rules forcitizens and for immigrants living among us. This is a lastingordinance for the generations to come. Citizens and immigrantsshall be the same before the Lord. (Numbers 15:15)

Leader: When an immigrant lives in our land,

All: We will not mistreat him or her. We will treat an immigrantas one of our native born. We will love an immigrant as our-selves, for God’s people were once immigrants in Egypt.(Leviticus 19:33-34)

Leader: To those who employ immigrant workers, we lift up God’s command:

All: Do not oppress an immigrant. God’s people know how it feelsto be immigrants because they were immigrants in Egypt.(Exodus 23: 9)

Leader: And a special word to those who employ immigrant farmworkers:

All: Make sure immigrants get a day of rest. (Exodus 23:12)

Leader: To those who craft our immigration laws and policies, we lift upGod’s command:

All: Do not deprive the immigrant or theorphan of justice, or take the cloak of thewidow as a pledge. Remember thatGod’s people were slaves in Egypt andthe Lord our God redeemed them fromthere. (Deuteronomy 24:17-18)

Leader: To all of us who seek to do God’s will, helpus to:

All: Love one another as God has loved us.Help us to treat immigrants with thejustice and compassion that God showsto each of us.

Interfaith Worker Justice, 1020 West Bryn Mawr, 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60660-4627Phone: (773) 728-8400 • Fax: (773) 728-8409 • E-mail: info@iwj.org • Website: www.iwj.org

Interfaith Worker Justice, 1020 West Bryn Mawr, 4th floor, Chicago, IL 60660-4627Phone: (773) 728-8400 • Fax: (773) 728-8409 • E-mail: info@iwj.org • Website: www.iwj.org

Invocation

Opening Song

Responsive Reading One:

Leader: We gather today to lift up immigrants who live and work in ourcommunity. We give thanks for the many gifts and talents theybring to our nation.

All: We give thanks and pray for all living in our community, butespecially those who are immigrants among us.

Leader: There are over 32 million immigrants in the U.S. living andworking in cities, suburbs and rural areas across the nation.

All: One in eight workers today is foreign born.

Leader: Except for Native Americans, we were all once new to this country.

All: Some of us came to the U.S. escaping poverty or oppression.Others of us were forced here on slave ships. Still others cameseeking opportunity.

Leader: New immigrants come for many of the same reasons. Mostimmigrants come escaping poverty and oppression and seekingopportunities. Leviticus 19, verses 33 and 34 tell us:

All: Don’t mistreat any foreigners who live in your land. Instead,treat them as well as you treat citizens and love them as muchas you love yourself. Remember, you were once foreigners inthe land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Leader: We serve a God who wants justice for all of God’s people.

All: God desires justice for native born and foreign born alike. Allpeople are children of God.

CelebratingImmigrants

An Interfaith Service

From Interfaith Worker Justice

Stories from Immigrants – Invite immigrants in your community to sharewhy they came here, their hopes for the future, and the challenges theyface in the community.

Statements of Support from Faith Traditions – Invite faith leaders fromvarious denominations and traditions to offer words of support from theirreligious traditions. See What Faith Traditions Say about the Treatment ofImmigrants found on pages 7-8 at www.iwj.org/pdf/lip2003.pdf

Sing Micah 6:8 by Noelle Damico – Teach the song and then use it as arefrain in Responsive Reading Two.

Responsive Reading Two – Multiple leaders are suggested.

Leader 1: Immigrants and their children bring long-term economic bene-fits to the United States. Immigrants add about $10 billion each year to theU.S. economy. This estimate does not include the impact of immigrant-owned businesses or the impact of highly skilled immigrants on overallproductivity.

Leader 2: By conservative estimates, immigrant households paid an esti-mated $133 billion in direct taxes to federal, state, and local governmentsin 1997. The typical immigrant and his or her descendants pay an estimat-ed $80,000 more in taxes than they will receive in local, state, and federalbenefits over their lifetimes.

Leader 3: Despite immigrants’ economic contributions to the society, thereis no clear road to citizenship for most immigrants. Too many immigrantsin the U.S. cannot become citizens under the current laws, so they live infear of deportation. Immigrants need a clear path to citizenship. We servea God who calls us to:

Interfaith Worker Justice • www.iwj.org

Celebrating Immigrants

2

Leader 1: Families make up more than three out of four immigrant house-holds, but many of the families are not whole. Many immigrants live herewithout their children, spouses or parents. Immigrants need a legal way toreunify their families. We serve a God who calls us to:

All Sing Micah 6:8 in Spanish:Hacer justicia, amar a la bondad, caminar a la humilidad con nuestroDios. Vamos a hacer justicia, amar a la bondad, caminar a la humilidadcon nuestro Dios.

Leader 2: Too many immigrant workers are subject to exploitation in theworkplace because they do not have citizenship, do not know their rights,and are denied protection offered by a union contract. In community aftercommunity we have seen and heard of immigrants who are forced towork long hours for pittance wages, immigrants who handle dangerouschemicals or equipment without proper protections, immigrants who aretraded in slave rings, and immigrants who are threatened with deporta-tion when they complain about working conditions. Such exploitation ofimmigrants lowers working conditions for all workers. Immigrants needstronger workplace protections and a voice on the job. We serve a Godwho calls us to:

Interfaith Worker Justice • www.iwj.org

Celebrating Immigrants

3

Leader 3: We are a nation known for the protection of civil rights and lib-erties. Yet many immigrants and communities of color do not feel protect-ed by the police, the corporate leaders or the government. Too often, ourreligious communities have not stood up to protect immigrants’ civilrights and liberties. We cannot let the acts of terrorists deter us from pro-tecting the civil rights and liberties of law-abiding immigrants. God callsus to welcome, not fear, immigrants in our community. We must stand upfor immigrants’ civil rights and liberties. We serve a God who calls us to:

All Sing in Spanish: Hacer justicia, amar a la bondad, caminar a la humilidad con nuestroDios. Vamos a hacer justicia, amar a la bondad, caminar a la humilidadcon nuestro Dios.

All: As people of faith, we know God’s special concern for immi-grants. We will find new ways to act on that concern. We will pray for immigrants. We will reach out to immigrants.We will advocate a clear road to citizenship, reunification offamilies, a voice on the job, civil rights and civil liberties withour elected leaders. We will do this because it is best for our nation and because weare called to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly withour God. Amen.

Next Steps for Action – One leader will invite people to register to vote,sign postcards or petitions, or take other appropriate actions supportingimmigrants.

Closing Prayer

Celebrating Immigrants

Interfaith Worker Justice1020 W. Bryn Mawr, 4th Fl., Chicago, IL 60660

(773) 728-8400 • www.iwj.org

WelcomingtheStranger:ImmigrationandtheChurchLeviticus19:33–34Whenaforeignerliveswithyouinyourland,don'ttakeadvantageofhim.Treattheforeignerthesameasanative.Lovehimlikeoneofyourown.RememberthatyouwereonceforeignersinEgypt.IamGOD,yourGod.Micah6:8Buthe'salreadymadeitplainhowtolive,whattodo,whatGodislookingforinmenandwomen.It'squitesimple:Dowhatisfairandjusttoyourneighbor,becompassionateandloyalinyourlove,Anddon'ttakeyourselftooseriously—takeGodseriously.Hebrews13:2Stayongoodtermswitheachother,heldtogetherbylove.Bereadywithamealorabedwhenit'sneeded.Why,somehaveextendedhospitalitytoangelswithouteverknowingit!Matthew25:34–40ThentheKingwillsaytothoseonhisright,'Enter,youwhoareblessedbymyFather!Takewhat'scomingtoyouinthiskingdom.It'sbeenreadyforyousincetheworld'sfoundation.Andhere'swhy:Iwashungryandyoufedme,Iwasthirstyandyougavemeadrink,Iwashomelessandyougavemearoom,Iwasshiveringandyougave

meclothes,Iwassickandyoustoppedtovisit,Iwasinprisonandyoucametome.'Thenthose'sheep'aregoingtosay,'Master,whatareyoutalkingabout?Whendidweeverseeyouhungryandfeedyou,thirstyandgiveyouadrink?Andwhendidweeverseeyousickorinprisonandcometoyou?'ThentheKingwillsay,'I'mtellingthesolemntruth:Wheneveryoudidoneofthesethingstosomeoneoverlookedorignored,thatwasme—youdidittome.'QuestionsforReflectionWhatdothesepassagesrevealtousaboutGod’sattitudetowardthealienandthestranger?Whatdothesepassagestellusourattitudesandactionstothealienandthestrangershouldbe?Whataresomecommonreasonswhyindividualsandnationsdonotwelcomethestranger?InlightoftheScriptures,arethesereasonssatisfactorytoyou?HowdoyouasanindividualfeelcalledtorespondtotheseScriptures?Canyouthinkofthreewaysyourfaithcommunitymightencouragegreaterhospitalitytowardstrangers?

APrayerforImmigrantsSourceofLifewhoisknownbymanynames;Over‐turnerandilluminatorofhearts;Wegatherwithgratitudefortheearthandallwhojourneyinit.Wearegivethanksfortheinterconnectednessofallcreation.Supportforthosewithoutsupport;Strongholdofthosewithoutprotection;WedeclareopenlythetimeswehavefallenshortFromlivingoutthecalltojusticeoursacredstoriesplaceuponus;Fromhearingtheplightofthecreationyearningforjustice;Fromseeingtheharmourwayoflifeandourpoliciesinflictuponthecreation.SourceofWisdomwhoisknownbymanynames;TheProphetMohammedasks:Whatactionsaremostexcellent?Togladdentheheartofahumanbeing;Tofeedthehungry;Tohelptheafflicted;Tolightenthesorrowofthesorrowful;Toremovethewrongsoftheinjured;Letusnotforget.ThePsalmistasks:WhoisfittoholdpowerandworthytoactinGod’splace?Thosewithapassionforthetruth,whoarehorrifiedbyinjustice;Whoactwithmercytothepoorandtakeupthecauseofthehelpless;Whohaveletgoofselfishconcernsandseethewholecreationassacred.Letusnotforget.Jesus,carpenterofNazareth,asks:Whatisthegreatestcommandment?Toloveyourcreator;Toloveyourneighbor;Toundermineoppressivepowerswithlife‐givingactions;Tobeinsolidaritywithallwhosuffer;Toactforjustice;AndtoteachotherstoactforjusticeLetusnotforget.SourceofJusticewhoisknownbymanynames;

Openoureyesthatwemayseetheimmigrantandundocumented;Notasthreats,butasbrothersandsisterswhosedignityistidetoourowndignity;Andwhoselackoffreedomcallsintoquestionourownfreedom;Thefarmworker,thehotelmaid,thelinecook,thechildcareprovider,thehealthcareworkerandsomanyothers.SourceofJusticewhoisknownbymanynames;Todaywestandinsolidaritywithallthoseacrossthisnationlivinginsanctuaryasaresultofunjustandinhumanepolicies.Todaywesay:“Presente,”withoursisterElviraArellanowhoseplightfortrueimmigrationreformhasgalvanizedamovement.Todayweclaimourplaceamongthosewhostruggleforjusticeinthecanvasofhistory.Letusnotswervefromthepathofrighteousnessthatleadstojustandequitablerelationship.Giveusthecouragetostandwiththosecrossingourborders;Livingintheshadows;Riskingalltosupporttheirfamilies;Escapingtheeconomicoppressionandpoliticalpersecutionourpolicieshavespurred;Giveusthestrengthtoconfronttheprejudiceandintoleranceofthosewhoarefearful;Andrespondbyclosingourborderstothosewhosojournseekinglifeandopportunity;Giveusthewilltoleavebehindandopenupthesafetyofoursanctuariesandtemples;Thatourvoice,ourheart,ourspiritwilljointhevoice,heartandspiritofallwhodemandtolivewithrespect,justiceandpeace;Andthatourbuildingsofworshipmaybeknownasaplaceofrefugeandrespite.SourceofDirectionwhoisknownbymanynames;Inourdailylivingletusbeguided;Bythehighestestimateoftheworthanddignityofeverypersonregardlessoftheirlegalstatus;Andletusnotforget;Thatthecreationisfoundedonjustice;Andthatwehavethemoralresponsibilitytobringforthjusticeintothesetimes.Mayitbeso.ByRev.JessicaVazquezTorres,IWJ

Immigrants in the Jewish,Musl imand Chr i s t ian Texts HebrewBible Exodus23:9Youmustnotoppressthestranger;youknowhowastrangerfeels,foryoulivedasstrangersinthelandofEgypt.Leviticus19:32‐34Ifastrangerliveswithyouinyourland,donotmolesthim.Youmustcounthimasoneofyourowncountrymenandlovehimasyourself—foryouwereoncestrangersyourselvesinEgypt.IamYahwehyourGod.Tobit4:7‐8Setasidepartofyourgoodsforalmsgiving.NeverturnyourfacefromanypoormanandGodwillneverturnhisfromyou.Psalm82:2‐4Nomoremockeryofjustice, nomorefavoringofthewicked! Lettheweakandtheorphanhavejustice, befairtothewretchedanddestitute; rescuetheweakandneedy, savethemfromtheclutchesofthewicked! Psalm103:6Yahweh,whodoeswhatisright,isalwaysonthesideoftheoppressed.Proverbs31:8‐9Speak,yourself,onbehalfofthedumb,onbehalfofalltheunwanted;speak,yourself,pronounceajustverdict,upholdtherightsofthepoor,oftheneedy.Ecclesiasticus4:8‐9Tothepoormanlendanear, andreturnhisgreetingcourteously.Savetheoppressedfromthehandoftheoppressor,anddonotbemean‐spiritedinyourjudgments.Isaiah10:1‐2

Woetothelegislatorsofinfamouslaws, tothosewhoissuetyrannicaldecrees, whorefusejusticetotheunfortunate andcheatthepooramongmypeopleoftheir rights, whomakewidowstheirprey, androbtheorphan. Isaiah61:1‐2ThespiritoftheLordYahwehhasbeengiven tome, forYahwehhasanointedme. Hehassentmetobringgoodnewstothe poor, tobindupheartsthatarebroken; toproclaimlibertytothecaptives, freedomtothoseinprison; toproclaimayearoffavourfromYahweh. Jeremiah22:3‐4Yahwehsaysthis:Practicehonestyandintegrity;rescuethemanwhohasbeenwrongedfromthehandsofhisoppressor;donotexploitthestranger,theorphan,thewidow;donoviolence,shednoinnocentbloodinthisplace.Micah6:8Whatisgoodhasbeenexplainedtoyou; thisiswhatYahwehasksofyou: onlythis,toactjustly, tolovetenderly, andtowalkhumblywithyourGod. Zechariah7:8‐11(ThewordofYahwehwasaddressedtoZechariahasfollows:)Hesaid:Applythelawfairly,andpracticekindnessandcompassiontowardeachother.Donotoppressthewidowandtheorphan,thesettlerandthepoorman,anddonotsecretlyplanevilagainstoneanother. ChristianTestament Matthew25:35‐40

ForIwashungryandyougavemefood;Iwasthirstyandyougavemedrink;Iwasastrangerandyoumademewelcome;nakedandyouclothedme;sickandyouvisitedme;inprisonandyoucametoseeme....Itellyousolemnly,insofarasyoudidthistooneoftheleastofthesebrothersofmine,youdidittome.Mark12:30‐31Thisisthefirst[commandment]...youmustlovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart,withallyoursoul,withallyourmindandwithallyourstrength.Thesecondisthis:Youmustloveyourneighborasyourself.Thereisnocommandmentgreaterthanthese.Luke4:18‐19ThespiritoftheLordhasbeengiventome, forhehasanointedme. Hehassentmetobringthegoodnewstothe poor, toproclaimlibertytocaptives andtotheblindnewsight, tosetthedowntroddenfree, toproclaimtheLord’syearoffavour. Galatians3:28...therearenomoredistinctionsbetweenJewandGreek,slaveandfree,maleandfemale,butallofyouareoneinChristJesus.Philippians2:5‐8InyourmindsyoumustbethesameasChrist Jesus: Hisstatewasdivine, yethedidnotcling tohisequalitywithGod butemptiedhimself toassumetheconditionofaslave, andbecameasmenare; andbeingasallmenare, hewashumbleryet, eventoacceptingdeath, deathonacross.Colossians3:12‐13YouareGod’schosenrace,hissaints;helovesyou,

andyoushouldbeclothedinsincerecompassion,inkindnessandhumility,gentlenessandpatience.1John4:19‐21Anyonewhosays,‘IloveGod,’ andhateshisbrother, isaliar, sinceamanwhodoesnotlovethebrother thathecansee cannotloveGod,whomhehasneverseen. Sothisisthecommandmentthathehasgiven us, thatanyonewholovesGodmustalsolovehis brother.

TheQur’an TheversenumbersgiveninthereferencesbelowsometimesvaryslightlyindifferenteditionsandtranslationsoftheQuran.However,theyarerarelyoffbymorethanfiveversesineitherdirection.Verse107InthenameofGod,theBeneficent,theMercifulHastthouobservedhimwhobelieth(makesalieof)religion?Thisishewhorepelleththeorphan,Andurgethnotthefeedingoftheneedy.Ah,woeuntoworshippersWhoareheedlessoftheirprayer;Whowouldbeseen(atworship)Yetrefusesmallkindnesses.Verse4:97Lo!asforthosewhomtheangelstake(indeath)whiletheywrongthemselves(bysinning),(theangels)willask:Inwhatwereyeengaged?Theywillsay:Wewereoppressedintheland.(Theangels)willsay:WasnotGod’searthspaciousthatyecouldhavemigratedtherein?Verse55:9Butthosewhoenteredthecityandthefaithbeforethemlovethosewhofleeuntothemforrefuge,andfindintheirbreastsnoneedforthatwhichhasbeengiventothem,butprefer(therefugees)abovethemselvesthoughpovertybecometheirlot.Andwhoissavedfromhisownavarice—sucharetheywhoaresuccessful.

Verse16:41Andthosewhobecame(refugees)forthecauseofGodaftertheyhadbeenoppressed.Weverilyshallgivethemgoodlylodgingintheworld,andsurelytherewardofthehereafterisgreater,iftheybutknew.Verse24:22Andletnotthosewhopossessdignityandeaseamongyouswearnottogivetothenearofkinandtotheneedy,andtorefugeesforthecauseofGod.Letthemforgiveandshowindulgence.YearnyenotthatGodforgiveyou?GodisForgiving,Merciful.

Verse4:135Beyestaunchinjustice,witnessesforGod,eventhoughitbeagainst(theworldlyinterests)ofyourselvesor(your)parentsor(your)kindred,whether(thecasebeof)arichmanorapoorman.Verse5:8BesteadfastwitnessesforGodinequity,andletnothatredofanypeopleseduceyouthatyedealnotjustly.Dealjustly,thatisnearertoyourduty.ObserveyourdutytoGod.Lo!GodisInformedofwhatyedo.

WhatFaithGroupsSayaboutImmigrationReform AmericanBaptistChurchesUSA

FromtheOldTestamentourdiscussionisshapedbyGod’sconstantadmonitiontoIsraelastohowsheistotreatthestrangerinhermidst:“Thealienwhoresideswithyoushallbetoyouasthecitizenamongyou;youshalllovethealienasyourself,foryouwerealiensinthelandofEgypt:IamtheLORDyourGod”(Leviticus19:34).Furthermore,weareremindedofMicah6:8whichsays,“Hehastoldyou,Omortal,whatisgood;andwhatdoestheLORDrequireofyoubuttodojustice,andtolovekindness,andtowalkhumblywithyourGod?”(Micah6:8)

IntheNewTestament,thegreetingofChrist,“Fearnot,”(Matt10:31,Luke12:32,John14:27b)isapowerfulantidotetothefearthatsooftenmarksconversationssuchasthiswithanynumberofviewpoints.LikewisethestoryoftheGoodSamaritanandJesus’descriptionofthefinaljudgmentarecriticaltoourperspective.

‘Andwhendidweseetheeastrangerandwelcomethee,ornakedandclothethee?39Andwhendidweseetheesickorinprisonandvisitthee?'40AndtheKingwillanswerthem,`Truly,Isaytoyou,asyoudidittooneoftheleastofthesemybrethren,youdidittome.'(Matt25:38‐40)

Indeed,webelievethesearetextsthatchallengeusinthecurrentrealityregardingimmigration,andfurther,webelievetheyaskustosearchdeeplywhatitmeanstohearJameswhenhewritestoChristiancommunities,“Ifyoureallyfulfilltheroyallawaccordingtothescripture,‘Youshallloveyourneighborasyourself,’youdowell.”(James2:8)…

Sincetheturnofthetwentiethcentury,AmericanBaptistshavebeenintheforefrontofwelcomingimmigrantsintoourcountryandintoourchurches.AsaresultwehavebeenprofoundlyreshapedbyGodinourmakeup.Nooneracial/ethnicgroupholdsmajoritymembershipanylongerintheAmericanBaptistChurches,USA.Godhaswovenusintoacoatofmanycolors.Consequently,incongregationafter

congregation,wehaveundocumentedpersonsworshippingwithusasbelovedbrothersandsistersinChrist.Thisverypersonalfaceoftheundocumentedinourmidstremindsusthattheyarepartofthedialogueandnotjustanobjectofit.

Excerptedfrom“LetterAddressingImmigrationandImmigrationReform,”May14,2010www.abc‐usa.org/WhoWeAre/Missions/ImmigrationLetter/tabid/484/Default.aspx

CatholicChurch TheUnitedStatesCatholicBishopsConference(USCCB)believesthatmeaningfulimmigrationreformmustproperlybalancetherighttomigrateandtherighttoregulatemigration.Thus,theUSCCBopposes“enforcementonly”immigrationpoliciesbecausetheylackproperaccommodationoftherighttomigrate.Instead,theUSCCBsupports“comprehensive”immigrationpoliciesthatpairvalidenforcementlawswithfairandgenerouslegalizationmeasures.TheU.S.CatholicBishopshaveoutlinedvariouselementsoftheirproposalforcomprehensiveimmigrationreform.ThekeyelementsofcomprehensivereformadvocatedbytheBishopsare: EarnedLegalization:Anearnedlegalizationprogramwithapathtocitizenshipwouldrequireunauthorizedworkerstoworkforseveralyears,takeEnglishcourses,andpayafineinordertoparticipateintheprogram.Suchaprogramwouldhelpstabilizetheworkforce,promotefamilyunity,andbringalargepopulation“outoftheshadows,”asmembersoftheircommunities. Enforcement:TheBishopssupportthelegitimateandimportantroleoftheUnitedStatesgovernmentinenforcingimmigrationlawattheborderandintheinterior.TheBishopsalsobelievethatbyreplacingillegalmigrationwithlegalmigration,lawenforcementwillbebetterabletofocusuponthosewhotrulythreatenpublicsafety:drugandhumantraffickers,smugglers,andwould‐beterrorists.Any

enforcementmeasuresmustbetargeted,proportional,andhumane. FutureWorkerProgram:Aworkerprogramtopermitforeign‐bornworkerstoenterthecountrysafelyandlegallywouldhelpreduceillegalimmigrationandthelossoflifeintheAmericandesert.Anyprogramshouldincludeworkplaceprotections,livingwagelevels,safeguardsagainstthedisplacementofU.S.workers,andfamilyunity. Family‐basedimmigrationreform:Itcurrentlytakesyearsforfamilymemberstobereunitedthroughthefamily‐basedlegalimmigrationsystem.Thisleadstofamilybreakdownand,insomecases,illegalimmigration.Changesinthefamily‐basedimmigrationshouldbemadetoincreasethenumberoffamilyvisasavailableandreducefamilyreunificationwaitingtimes. AddressingRootCauses:Congressshouldexaminetherootcausesofmigration,suchaswageinequitiesandthelackofjobopportunitiesinsendingcountries,andseeklong‐termsolutions.Theantidotetotheproblemofillegalimmigrationissustainableeconomicdevelopmentinsendingcountries.Ideally,migrationshouldbedrivenbychoice,notnecessity. RestorationofDueProcessRights:Dueprocessrightstakenawaybythe1996IllegalImmigrationReformandImmigrantResponsibilityAct(IIRIRA)shouldberestored,particularlytheuseofjudicialdiscretionindeportationproceedings.ExcerptedfromStatementoftheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops,2008www.usccb.org/mrs/legal.shtml

ConservativeJudaismForasignificantportionofJewishhistory,wehavebeenstrangersandnon‐citizensinthecountriesinwhichweresided.Biblically,AbrahamlefthishometofindabetterlifeinCanaanandMosesrecognizedthisfactashenamedhissonGershom,“forIwasastrangerinastrangeland”(Exodus2:22).Forcenturiesandindozensofcountries,wehavesoughtthehospitalityofamultitudeofpeoples,sometimes

findingacceptancebutmorefrequentlyoppressionandrejection.Evenwithinthepastcentury,JewshavesufferedatthehandsoftheNazis,SovietRussia,andtheEthiopiansjusttonameafew.Today,wearefortunatetofeelathomeinNorthAmericaandaretrulypartofthenations’characters.TheTorahknewthatafterpeopleachievesuccessandbecomefullcitizensofacountry,theirnaturalimpulseistoforgetthattheywerestrangers.Thatiswhyweareconstantlyremindedthat,“Youtoomustbefriendthestranger,foryouwerestrangersinthelandofEgypt”(Deuteronomy10:19)andthat,“Thestrangerswhosojournwithyoushallbetoyouasthenativesamongyou,andyoushalllovethemasyourself;foryouwerestrangersinthelandofEgypt”(Leviticus19:33‐34).Wearecommandedtotreattheresidentalienwithdignityandwemust,therefore,assurethatallpeopleinthiscountryseekingabetterlifecanfindithere,justaswehave.In2005,USCJ[UnitedSynagogueofConservativeJudaism]supportedthe"InterfaithStatementinSupportofComprehensiveImmigrationReform.”Itaskedthegovernmenttoenactimmigrationlegislationthatincludedthefollowingreformsandvalues:∙Anopportunityforhard‐workingimmigrantswhoarealreadycontributingtothiscountrytocomeoutoftheshadows,regularizetheirstatusuponsatisfactionofreasonablecriteriaand,overtime,pursueanoptiontobecomelawfulpermanentresidentsandeventuallyUnitedStatescitizens∙Reformsinourfamily‐basedimmigrationsystemtosignificantlyreducewaitingtimesforseparatedfamilieswhocurrentlywaitmanyyearstobereunited∙ThecreationoflegalavenuesforworkersandtheirfamilieswhowishtomigratetotheU.S.toenterourcountryandworkinasafe,legal,andorderlymannerwiththeirrightsfullyprotected∙Borderprotectionpoliciesthatareconsistentwithhumanitarianvaluesandwiththeneedtotreatallindividualswithrespect,whileallowingtheauthoritiestocarryoutthecriticaltaskofidentifyingandpreventingentryofterroristsanddangerouscriminals,aswellaspursuingthelegitimatetaskofimplementingAmericanimmigrationpolicy∙Whilewesupporttherightofthegovernmenttoenforcethelawandprotectthenationalsecurity

interestsoftheUnitedStates,werecognizethatourexistingcomplexandunworkableimmigrationsystemhasmadeitnearlyimpossibleformanyimmigrants‐whoseektosupporttheirfamiliesorreunitewithlovedones‐toachievelegalstatus.ReformingtheimmigrationsystemtoaddressthisrealitywouldallowtheU.S.governmenttofocusitsenforcementeffortsonrealthreatsthatfaceallAmericans‐citizensandimmigrantsalike.ExcerptedfromaUnitedSynagogueResolutionImplementationPacket,“ImmigrantsandImmigration,”2007www.uscj.org/images/Immigrants_and_Immigration.pdf

CouncilonAmerican‐IslamicRelations,GreaterLosAngelesAreaIslampromotessocialjustice,equalityandtherightsofworkers.TheProphetMuhammadpreachedthatnooneisatruebelieveruntiltheyloveforotherswhattheyloveforthemselves.Giventhatourreligiousbeliefsexhortustohelpreducethesufferingofothers,AmericanMuslimssupportthecallforcomprehensiveimmigrationreformthatwould,amongotherthings,createapathtocitizenshipforimmigrantsearnedthroughworking,payingtaxesandlearningEnglish;keepfamiliesintact;regulatewagesandworkingconditionstoprotectworkersfrombeingexploited;andcreatemeasuresthatsafeguardthelaborrightsofbothimmigrantandnon‐immigrantworkers.Wehaveabrokenimmigrationsystem:thefactthatthereareanestimated11‐12millionundocumentedworkerscurrentlyresidingintheUnitedStates,reflectsthatreality.Providingpeoplewhoarenotengagedincriminalactivityachancetocorrecttheirstatusandlivewithdignityandrespectisafirststepinfixingourbrokensystem.ThelastthingweneedinAmericaistohaveover12millionundocumentedpeoplelivingonthemarginsandbeingexposedtoabuse,whetheritiseconomicabuse,sexualexploitationordomesticviolence.Ourstrengthasa

nationisderivedfromourcompassiontowardourmostvulnerablemembers.StatementbyHussamAyloush,ExecutiveDirectoroftheCouncilonAmerican–IslamicRelations,GreaterLosAngelesArea,July2010

EpiscopalChurch

TheEpiscopalChurch,initscommitmenttorenderhospitalitytothosewhoaremostvulnerable,callsontheUnitedStatesCongresstoenactcomprehensiveimmigrationreform.ThepassageinArizonaofthetoughestanti‐immigrantlawinthecountrydemonstratestheneedforactionatthefederallevel.InanopenletterlastFridaytheBishopofArizona,theRt.Rev.KirkSmith,expressedthat"todayisasaddayinthestruggletoseeallGod'speopletreatedinahumaneandcompassionatemanner(…)WiththeGovernor'ssigningofSB1070,itseemsthatfornowtheadvocatesoffearandhatredhavewonoverthoseofcharityandlove.ArizonaclaimstobeaGoldenRuleState.Wehavenotliveduptothatclaim." Thelackoffairandhumaneimmigrationreformopensthedoortomisguidedanddivisivestateandlocalattemptstoaddressimmigrationenforcement.WeurgeCongresstoprovideasolutiontoabrokenimmigrationsystemthatseparatesfamilies,spreadsfearandkeepsmillionslivingintheshadows.Everyday,membersofourcongregationsseetheunacceptableconsequencesofourbrokenimmigrationsystem.WeurgetheSenateandHousetoenactbipartisanimmigrationreformthatreunitesfamilies,protectstherightsofallworkers,andprovidesanopportunityforundocumentedimmigrantstoearnlegalstatus.

AsChristians,wearecalledtoembracethestrangerandtofindChristinallwhocometousinneed.TheEpiscopalChurchiscommittedtoworkingtoreformourimmigrationsystem.AsBishopSmithremindedus,"Wewillcontinuetoworkashardaswecantodefeatthislawandtoworktowardjustandfairlawsthatprotecttherightsofallhumanbeings.Weallknowthatourimmigrationsystemisbroken,butit

cannotbefixedbyscape‐goatingthemostvulnerableofthoseamongus."

WithstrongleadershipinCongress,weareconfidentwecansolvethebrokenimmigrationsystem.WeencouragemembersofCongresstojoinfaithleaderstostandupforimmigrationpoliciesthatrenewthedignityandhumanrightsofeveryone.

StatementoftheEpiscopalChurchOfficeofGovernmentRelations,April29,2010www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_121894_ENG_HTM.htm

EvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmerica:

In1998,theELCAadoptedamessageonimmigrationthatreiteratedlong‐standingLutherancommitmentstobothnewcomersandjustlawsthatservethecommongood.Itscoreconvictionwasthat"hospitalityfortheuprootedisawaytoliveoutthebiblicalcalltolovetheneighborinresponsetoGod’sloveinJesusChrist."Twobiblicalreferencesguidedthemessage’sdirection:1)"Thestrangerwhoresideswithyoushallbetoyouasthecitizenamongyou;youshalllovethestrangerasyourself,foryouwerestrangersinthelandofEgypt:IamtheLORDyourGod"(Leviticus19:34)and2)"Iwasastrangerandyouwelcomedme"(Matthew25:35).InJesusofNazareth,theGodwhocommandsustocareforthevulnerableidentitieswiththehumanstranger—thepersonunknownandregardedwithsuspicionwhostandsonthereceivingendofbothwelcomeandhospitalityandrejectionandresentment.Notcitedinthe1998messagebutalsorelevantisRomans13:1‐7andrelatedLutheraninterpretationsoftheroleandauthorityofgovernment….

Inlightofcurrentimmigrationlaws,practices,andpolicydebates;theirimpactonimmigrantcommunitiesandthiscountryasawhole;andexistingELCAtheologicalandmoralcommitments,thischurchcommitsitselftothefollowingactions,balancinghumanitarian,labor,andsecurityissues: 1.Reunitefamiliesandintegratethemarginalized… 2.Protecttherightsofpeopleatwork…

3.Establishjustandhumaneenforcement… 4.Revitalizerefugeeprotectionandintegration… 5.Addressrootcausesofforcedmigration…

ExcerptedfromasocialpolicyresolutionadoptedbytheChurchCounciloftheEvangelicalLutheranChurchinAmericaatitsNovember2009meeting.www.elca.org/What‐We‐Believe/Social‐Issues/Resolutions/Comprehensive‐Immigration‐Reform.aspx

HinduAmericanFoundation:In2006,theHinduAmericanFoundationsignedaninterfaithstatementonimmigrationreform.Thestatementcallsforlegislationthatsupportsregularizationofexistingworkersuponsatisfactionofreasonablecriteria,reducedwaitingtimesforreunificationofseparatedfamilies,legalavenuesforworkersandtheirfamilieswhowishtomigratetotheU.S.andborderprotectionpoliciesthattreatallindividualswithrespectwhilealsoallowingauthoritiestoprevententryofterroristsanddangerouscriminals.SwaminathanVenkataraman,memberofHinduAmericanFoundation’sExecutiveCouncil:“ThereisaneedforafairandequitableimmigrationlegislationthatrespectstheGod‐givendignityofeveryindividualandhisfamilywhilealsoprotectingAmerica’seconomicandnationalsecurityinterests.HindusareoneofthemosthighlyeducatedandprosperousimmigrantcommunitiesintheUSandwedesirethattheenormousopportunitiesthatthisnationaffordsshouldremainopentoimmigrantsin[the]future.”www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media/pr/20060

324_immigration

MuslimAmericanSocietyFreedomFoundation(MASFreedom)Muslims,whomakeupsome20%oftheglobalpopulation,havebeeinvolvedinimmigrationissuessincetheearliestdaysofProphetMuhammadandthe

Hijrs(migration)ofMuslimbelieverswhofledArabiaandtookrefugeinwhatisnowEthiopia.Migration,inourhistoricalexperience,isanecessaryresponsetotheoppressionofpopulationswithinnations.Webelievethatimmigrants,wherevertheyarefound,shouldbetreatedwithfairnessandequity,andshouldenjoytheprotectionoftheirneighborswhileupholdingtheobligationtobelaw‐abidingandproductivepeoplewithintheboundariesoftheirnewenvironments. Asanationofmigrants,wecallonallmoralpeopleintheUnitedStatestorecognizeboththeneedforcomprehensivereforminournationalimmigrationlawsaswellasthevalueofthelaborandtheenormouscontributionsmadebyimmigrantstoAmerica,regardlessoftheirstatusunderAmericanlaw. StatementbyIbrahimRamey HumanandCivilRightsProgramDirector MuslimAmericanSocietyFreedomFoundation(MASFreedom)July2010

NationalAssociationofEvangelicals

DiscussionofimmigrationandgovernmentimmigrationpolicymustbeginwiththetruththateveryhumanbeingismadeintheimageofGod(Genesis1:26‐28).ImmigrantsaremadeintheimageofGodandhavesupremevaluewiththepotentialtocontributegreatlytosociety.JesusexemplifiesrespecttowardotherswhoaredifferentinhistreatmentoftheSamaritans(Luke10:30‐37;John4:1‐42).[…]

Motivatedbythedesiretoofferaconstructivewordforthecountry’scomplicatedimmigrationsituationandguidedbytheScripture,theNationalAssociationofEvangelicalscallsforthereformoftheimmigrationsystem.Webelievethatnationalimmigrationpolicyshouldbeconsiderateofimmigrantswhoarealreadyhereandwhomayarriveinthefutureandthatitsmeasuresshouldpromotenationalsecurityandthegeneralwelfareinappropriateways.Buildinguponbiblicalrevelationconcerningthemigrationofpeopleandthevaluesofjusticeandcompassionchampioned

inFortheHealthoftheNation:AnEvangelicalCalltoCivicResponsibility,weurge:

• Thatimmigrantsbetreatedwithrespectandmercybychurches.ExemplarytreatmentofimmigrantsbyChristianscanserveasthemoralbasistocallforgovernmentattitudesandlegislationtoreflectthesamevirtues.

• Thatthegovernmentdevelopstructuresandmechanismsthatsafeguardandmonitorthenationalborderswithefficiencyandrespectforhumandignity.

• Thatthegovernmentestablishmorefunctionallegalmechanismsfortheannualentryofareasonablenumberofimmigrantworkersandfamilies.

• Thatthegovernmentrecognizethecentralimportanceofthefamilyinsocietybyreconsideringthenumberandcategoriesofvisasavailableforfamilyreunification,bydedicatingmoreresourcestoreducingthebacklogofcasesinprocess,andbyreevaluatingtheimpactofdeportationonfamilies.

• Thatthegovernmentestablishasound,equitableprocesstowardearnedlegalstatusforcurrentlyundocumentedimmigrants,whodesiretoembracetheresponsibilitiesandprivilegesthataccompanycitizenship.

• ThatthegovernmentlegislatefairlaborandcivillawsforallresidingwithintheUnitedStatesthatreflectthebestofthiscountry’sheritage.

• Thatimmigrationenforcementbeconductedinwaysthatrecognizetheimportanceofdueprocessoflaw,thesanctityofthehumanperson,andtheincomparablevalueoffamily.

ResolutionoftheBoardofDirectorsoftheNationalAssociationofEvangelicals(NAE),representing40denominations,scoresofevangelicalorganizationsandmillionsofAmericanevangelicals,adoptedOctober8,2009.www.nae.net/resolutions/347‐immigration‐2009

PresbyterianChurchUSA2.Affirmthatourdenomination,mindfulofthecurrentrealitiesandthreatstoourbeliefsystem,notswayfromoursolidaritywith,andpledgeofserviceto,allofourbrothersandsistersregardlessoftheirrace,creed,color,nationality,orresidencystatus.3.AffirmthosePresbyteriancongregationsandpresbyteriesthatarealreadystandingalongsideimmigrantsandareactivelyengagedinactsofcompassion,empowerment,andadvocacy.4.ChallengeeachPresbyteriancongregationandpresbyterytoembraceacomprehensiveapproachto“advocacyandwelcome”forimmigrantsthatincludes,attheveryminimum:

a. anopportunityforhard‐workingimmigrantswhoarealreadycontributingtothiscountrytocomeoutoftheshadows,regularizetheirstatusuponsatisfactionofreasonablecriteria,and,overtime,pursueanoptiontobecomelawfulpermanentresidentsandeventuallyUnitedStatescitizens;

b. reformsinourfamily‐basedimmigrationsystemtosignificantlyreducewaitingtimesforseparatedfamilieswhocurrentlywaitmanyyearstobereunited;

c. thecreationoflegalavenuesforworkersandtheirfamilieswhowishtomigratetotheU.S.toenterourcountryandworkinasafe,legal,andorderlymannerwiththeirrightsfullyprotected;and

d. borderprotectionpoliciesthatareconsistentwithhumanitarianvaluesandwiththeneedtotreatallindividualswithrespect,whileallowingtheauthoritiestocarryoutthecriticaltaskofidentifyingandpreventingentryofterroristsanddangerouscriminals,aswellaspursuingthelegitimatetaskofimplementingAmericanimmigrationpolicy.

e. acallforlivingwagesandsafeworkingconditionsforworkersofUnitedStates‐ownedcompaniesinothercountries;

f. acallforgreatereconomicdevelopmentinpoorcountriestodecreasetheeconomicdesperation,whichforcesthedivisionoffamiliesandmigration.

5.Affirmtherightofeachcongregation,presbytery,andourdenominationasawhole,tospeakoutclearlyandconstantlytothemediaandothersregardingthePC(USA)’scalltoserveallthoseinneedandtostandwiththeoppressed,ourrefusaltobedeferredfromthismandate,andourwillingnesstobreaklawsthatforbidustoliveoutourresponsibilitiestoGodandtoourbrothersandsisterswhodonothaveU.S.residencydocuments…

Excerptedfromthe“PresbyterianPolicyonImmigration”ofthe217thGeneralAssembly(2006)onAdvocacyandWelcomeforAllImmigrantshttp://oga.pcusa.org/immigration/pdf/immigration‐resolution‐2006.pdf

ReformJudaism

Asacommunityofimmigrantsandrefugeeswithalonghistoryofsojourninginforeignlands,AmericanJewshaveauniqueresponsibilitytoensurethattherightsofnon‐citizensareprotectedbyournation’simmigrationpolicy.Justasourancestorswerepermittedtoreunitetheirfamiliesandresettlerefugeesfromtheirlandsoforigintotheirnewlyadoptedhomelands,today’simmigrantcommunitiesdeservesimilaropportunities.

THEREFORE,theUnionforReformJudaismresolvesto:

1. CallforacomprehensiveandgenerousUnitedStatesimmigrationpolicythattreatsallimmigrantsjustlyandreflectsthebasicprinciplesofhumandignityandhumanrights;

2. Opposeenforcement‐onlylegislationwhilemaintainingsupportforeffectiveandhumanebordersecuritytocurbillegalimmigrationaspartofacomprehensiveimmigrationpolicy;

3. Supportlegislationprovidingforpathwaystoearnedcitizenshipforundocumentedimmigrantsthatreflectfairandcompassionateeligibilitystandards;

4. CallontheDepartmentofHomelandSecuritytoensurethattheImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementunitsactwithintheframeworkofU.S.law,whichrequirescourt‐ordered

searchwarrants,dueprocess,andhumanetreatmentofdetaineesandtheirfamilies.

5. CallforCongressandtheAdministrationtoadopt:

a. Fairandexpeditiousprocessestodealwiththeproblemsoffamilyseparationandbacklogsinresolvingapplicationsforcitizenship,asylum,andvisas,

b. ProvisionsthatwouldallowundocumentedimmigrantsintheprocessofapplyingforlegalstatustoremainintheU.S.;

6. Supportmeasurestoclarifythatenforcementoffederalimmigrationlawistheexclusiveprovinceoftheappropriatefederallegalauthoritiesby:

a. Opposingeffortsbynon‐federalentitiesandlocallawenforcementofficerstoenforcefederalimmigrationlaw;

b. Opposingeffortsbynon‐federalentitiestoestablishpunitiveregulationsorlegislationtargetingundocumentedimmigrants;

7. SupportlegislationthatrecognizesthecontributionofimmigrantstotheU.S.economyandlaborforcebyprovidingincreasedopportunitiesforimmigrantstoworklegallyintheUnitedStatesthroughtemporaryworkervisas;

8. Supportlegislationandpoliciesthataddressthecausesofillegalimmigrationincludinglegislationthat:

a. IncreasesthenumberofvisasallowingunskilledlaborerstoworkintheU.S.legally;

b. Increasesguestworkerprogramsandtemporaryworkervisas;and

c. AddressestheU.S.policiesthatcontributetotheflowofimmigrants;

9. Opposetheexploitationofimmigrantsintheworkplaceandencourageemployerstomaintainthehighestsafetystandardsandprovidefairandjustcompensationforallworkers;…

Excerptedfromtheresolution“SupportofComprehensiveImmigrationReformintheUnitedStates,”submittedbytheCommissiononSocialActionofReformJudaismtothe69thUnionforReformJudaismGeneralAssemblyAdopted–December14,2007http://urj.org/about/union/governance/reso/?syspage=article&item_id=1917

SouthernBaptistConvention WHEREAS,AscitizensoftheheavenlyKingdomandmembersoflocalcongregationsofthatKingdom,wealsohaveabiblicalmandatetoactcompassionatelytowardthosewhoareinneed(Matthew25:34‐40),loveourneighborsasourselves(Matthew22:39),andtodountoothersaswewouldhavethemdountous(Matthew7:12);and… WHEREAS,Thefederalgovernmenthasnotonlyfailedtocontrolthebordersbutfailedinitsresponsibilitytoenforcetheimmigrationlaws,notonlywithregardtotheindividualswhoarehereillegally,butalsowithregardtotheemployerswhoknowinglyhirethem;and WHEREAS,Therearereportedly12millionimmigrantsandcountingwhoarelivingandworkinginAmericawithoutlegalstatus,manyofwhomhavechildrenwhoareAmericancitizensbybirth;and WHEREAS,Manyofthesehardworkingandotherwiselaw‐abidingimmigrantshavebeenexploitedbyemployersandbyothersinsociety,contrarytoJames5:4;now,therefore,beit… RESOLVED,Thatweurgethefederalgovernmenttoenforceallimmigrationlaws,includingthelawsdirectedatemployerswhoknowinglyhireillegalimmigrantsorwhoareunjustlypayingtheseimmigrantssubstandardwagesorsubjectingthemtoconditionsthatarecontrarytothelaborlawsofourcountry;andbeitfurther RESOLVED,ThatweurgecitizenChristianstofollowthebiblicalprincipleofcaringfortheforeignersamongus(Deuteronomy24:17‐22)andthecommandofChristtobeaneighbortothoseinneedof

assistance(Luke10:30‐37),regardlessoftheirracialorethnicbackground,countryoforigin,orlegalstatus;andbeitfurther RESOLVED,ThatweencourageChristianchurchestoactredemptivelyandreachouttomeetthephysical,emotional,andspiritualneedsofallimmigrants,tostartEnglishclassesonamassivescale,andtoencouragethemtowardthepathoflegalstatusand/orcitizenship; Excerptedfromtheresolution“OntheCrisisofIllegalImmigration,”adoptedbytheSouthernBaptistConventionmeetinginJune2006www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=1157

UnitarianUniversalist

UUSCcallsonCongresstoavoidpartisanpoliticsandtoexpeditiouslyenactcomprehensiveimmigrationreformthatwillprotectthehumanrightsofthe10to20millionundocumentedimmigrantswholiveintheUnitedStates.Suchlegislationmustalsoincludeaclearandreasonableprocessthroughwhichtheycanattaintherightsandprotectionsthattheyneedtoparticipatefullyinoursociety.Channelsforlawfulimmigrationneedtobegeneratedinproportiontothedemandforlabor,andpolicyreformsshouldincludeprovisionsforguaranteeingdueprocessandforimprovingthewagesandworkingconditionsoflow‐wageimmigrantworkers.

Atthesametime,legislativereformisnottheonlyavenuetoupholdingtherightsofimmigrants.Itisalsonecessarytopromotecommunitydevelopmentthroughgrassrootseducationandleadership,andtocombatstructuralizedracism,classism,andsexismtoremovethebarriersthatpreventpeoplefromfullyrealizingtheirrights.

UUSCstandsinsolidaritywiththeAmericanpeople,andimmigrantcommunitiesandtheiradvocatesastheyworktowardachievingspecificpolicyobjectivesthatflowoutoftheprinciplesweenunciate.WealsostandproudlywiththoseUnitarianUniversalistchurchesthat,withthesupportoftheUnitarianUniversalistAssociation,havecourageouslydeclared

theirwillingnesstoextendsupportandsanctuarytoindividualswhomaybeunjustlytargetedfordeportation.

ExcerptedfromtheUUSCStatementonImmigration,adoptedOctober16,2007www.uusc.org/content/uusc_statement_immigration

UnitedChurchofChrist

AsChristianswearecalledtoloveourneighborsandprovidehospitalitytostrangers.“Whenanalienresideswithyouinyourland,youshallnotoppressthealien.Thealienwhoresideswithyoushallbetoyouasthecitizenamongyou;youshalllovethealienasyourself,foryouwerealiensinthelandofEgypt.”Leviticus19:33‐34

Thereforewecallforcomprehensiveimmigrationreformlegislationtoestablishasafeandhumaneimmigrationsystem,consistentwithourvalues,that:

• createsaprocessforundocumentedimmigrantstoearnlegalstatusandeventualcitizenship;

• upholdsfamilyunityasapriorityofimmigrationpolicies;

• protectsimmigrantandnative‐bornworkersintheirworkplaces;

• alignsborderandinternalenforcementpolicieswithhumanitarianvaluesanddueprocessprotections

• provideseverydetaineewithaccesstotheirattorney,family,andfaithleader,andensureshumanetreatmentinaccordwithstate,federal,andinternationallaw;and

• allowsundocumentedyoungadultswhogrewupinthiscountrytowork,payin‐statetuitionforhighereducation,andjointhemilitary,andbeeligibleforlegalstatusandeventualcitizenship(theDREAMAct).

Wealsocallforinternationalpolicyreformstoalleviatethehardshipsthatmakeemigrationnecessary.

• Cancelonerousandexcessivedebtheldbypoorcountries.

• Renegotiatetradeandinvestmenttreaties,startingwiththeNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement.

Inaddition,theGeneralSynodhasrepeatedlycalledforchangesinourpoliciesandtreatmentofimmigrantsincluding:• morehumaneborderpoliciesandtheendof

unjusttreatmentandharassmentofimmigrantsbothattheborderandthroughoutthecountry,

• thedevelopmentofinternationalprogramsandpoliciestoalleviatepovertyandtheoft‐accompanyingsenseofdesperationwhichpropelspeopletoemigrate;and

• policiesthatallowimmigrantworkersandtheirfamiliestoliveandworkinasafe,legal,orderlyandhumanemanner.

UCC'sImmigrationCoordinationCommitteewww.ucc.org/justice/immigration/CIR‐principles.html

UnitedMethodistChurch

OurcallingasfollowersofJesustheChrististostandinsolidaritywithourimmigrantneighborsandtoadvocateforjusticeontheirbehalf.TheUnitedMethodistChurchaffirmstheinherentdignity,value,andhumanrightsofallimmigrantsregardlessoftheirlegalstatus.Weacknowledgethatallnationshavetherighttosecuretheirborders,buttheprimaryconcernforChristiansisthewelfareofimmigrantsandcommunities.

TheCouncilofBishopsofTheUnitedMethodistChurchiscommittedtoadvocateforcomprehensiveimmigrationreformthatishumaneandeffectiveandthatupholdsthehumanandcivilrightsofimmigrants.WeaffirmPresidentObamaforhis

leadershipinmovingtheimmigrationagendatotheforefrontofpublicdiscourseanddecisionmaking.

WecalluponPresidentObamaandallCongressionalleaderstosupportcomprehensiveimmigrationreformthatwould:

• Provideapathwaytocitizenshipforimmigrants.

• Reunifyimmigrantfamiliesthathavebeenseparatedbyimmigrationitselforduetoworkplaceraidsandensuingindefinitedetentionsanddeportations.

• Increasethenumberofvisasforshort‐termworkerstocomeintotheUnitedStatestoworkinasafe,legal,andorderlyway.

• Extendlegalprotectiontoallworkerswhocometostayforacertainperiodoftimeaswellasforthosewhostaypermanentlyincludingtherighttobargainforhigherwages,toprotestagainstpoorworkingconditions,andtopreservetheirhumanrightsasworkers,betheydocumentedorundocumented.

• Eliminateprivately‐operateddetentioncenters,whicharenotregulatedbythefederalorstategovernments,andendallindiscriminateraids.

Justandhumaneimmigrationreformwillputanendtomuchofthehumansufferingofourimmigrantbrothersandsisters,bringingthemoutoftheshadowsofsociety,andintegratingthemintosocietyinwaysthatwillbringtheirgiftsandhardworktobearastogetherwestrivetobuildcommunitiesofjustice.

Excerptedfromthe“StatementontheU.S.ImmigrationSituation”CouncilofBishops,TheUnitedMethodistChurch May2009http://gbgm‐umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5409

RecommendedFurtherReadingonImmigrationfromaFaithPerspective Books:GodNeedsNoPassport:ImmigrantsandtheChangingAmericanReligiousLandscapebyPeggyLevitt(NewPress)ReligionandSocialJusticeforImmigrantseditedbyPierretteHondagneu‐Sotelo(RutgersUniversityPress)God'sHeartHasNoBorders:HowReligiousActivistsAreWorkingforImmigrantRightsbyPierretteHondagneu‐Sotelo(UniversityofCaliforniaPress)WelcomingtheStranger:Justice,Compassion&TruthintheImmigrationDebateMatthewSoerensandJennyHwang(InterVarsityPress)TrailsofHopeandTerror:TestimoniesonImmigrationByMiguelA.DeLaTorre(OrbisBooks)AndYouWelcomedMe:MigrationandCatholicSocialTeachingEditedbyDonaldKerwinandJillMarieGerschutz(LexingtonBooks)IllegalPeople:HowGlobalizationCreatesMigrationandCriminalizesImmigrantsDavidBacon(BeaconPress)ImmigrationReformandAmerica’sUnchosenFutureOtisL.Graham(Authorhouse)OnlineResources: ForYouWereOnceaStranger(InterfaithWorkerJustice)http://www.iwj.org/template/page.cfm?id=26InterfaithImmigrationCoalitionResourceshttp://www.interfaithimmigration.org/index.php/section/Resources/ChristiansforComprehensiveImmigrationReform(Sojourners)WelcomingaStrangerToolkithttp://www.sojo.net/action/alerts/CCIR_toolkit.pdfUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops(USCCB)ParishToolkithttp://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/parish‐kit.html