Interfaithimmigration

Interfaithimmigration.org Welcome to this month’s Webinar on Field Strategy and Action: Strengthening the movement for just and humane immigration reform Monday, January 14th, 2013 Call and Webinar will begin at 4:00 p.m. EST For audio, please dial 805-399-1000 and enter access code 104402. The audio and visual portions are NOT linked. You must dial this number to hear the audio portion of the webinar.

AGENDA 4:00 Welcome & overview of call 4:05- Jen Smyers - National State of Play on Immigration Reform 4:10- 4:15 Rev. Noel Andersen- Announcement Immigration Customs Enforcement- on Secure Communities 4:15-4:20 Nora Skelley- Announcement DHS- 3-10 Year Bar 4:20-4:30 Kim Bobo ED of Interfaith Worker Justice- Field Strategy and Action for CIR 4:30- 4:40 Examples from the Field on Grassroots Action: 1) Marcela Hernandez Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition 2) Ruben Castilla Herrera Central Ohio Immigrant Justice 4:50 Q&A

State of Play for Compassionate Immigration Reform • Push for compassionate and humane immigration reform: • Presently needing to put pressure on champions: Menendez (D-NJ), Schumer (D-NY), Durbin (D-IL), Graham (R-SC), McCain (R-AZ), Rubio (R-FL) • Drafting principles and draft a bill- Rubio has released plan • White House also preparing a push for a comprehensive bill • January 22nd National Faith Call- In- Day 1-866-940-2439 • Work toward the passage of pro-immigrant bills at Local and State Level, such as the equitable/ in-state tuition for DREAM Act youth, TRUST Act liming the mass deportation program “Secure Communities,” Driver’s License for undocumented, Immigrant Welcoming City Resolutions and more • Stop state-led Arizona styled anti-immigrant bills: • Pay close attention to possible SB 1070 copycat laws in KS, MS, AR, MO, PA, VA

Updates and Analysis of Immigration Customs Enforcement on Secure CommunitiesAnnouncement On December 21st, Immigration Customs Enforcement announced record number of deportations over the last fiscal year 409,849. Community pressure spurred new guidelines from ICE, but few families will be kept together in practice.Hiding in the fine print of the announcement are significant loopholes that mean that in practice, the program will continue to result in thousands of unjust detentions and deportations. Much weaker than a TRUST Act Bill and ICE Detainer Request Policies still includes: Misdemeanors, Illegal Entry, Illegal Re-entry, outstanding order of removal, knowingly committed immigration fraud, poses significant national or border security risk

Updates and Analysis of Immigration Customs Enforcement on Secure Communities Announcement Restoring TRUST Campaign Red Line Analysis can be found on IIC Website at: http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/ICE-Detainer-Guidance_Redlined.pdf

Updates: Department of Homeland Security Waiver Process on 3-10 Year Bar The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new rule that will allow certain people who have U.S. citizen family members, but who must leave the U.S. as part of the process of becoming eligible for lawful permanent residence, to complete a critical part of the application process before they leave the U.S. The new process lowers the risk that such people will be denied reentry into the U.S. and reduces the time they spend abroad apart from their families. DHS issued the new rule on January 3, 2013. The change in process will take effect March 4, 2013. (See National Immigration Law Center Website http://www.nilc.org/statesidewaiver.html for fact sheet)

Updates: Department of Homeland Security Waiver Process on 3-10 Year Bar “The current policy forces eligible individuals to remain in the shadows for fear of extended separation from their families. Though the new policy does not apply to immigrants with family members who hold lawful permanent resident status, also known as green card holders, we are pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has pledged to consider expanding the waiver. Family unity is a fundamental value and all families yearn to be permanently reunited with their loved ones.” Britney Nystrom, Director for Advocacy- Lutheran Immigration Refugee Service

FIELD/ GRASSROOTS STRATEGY GOALS: GOALS Short term and local wins will be imperative to passing Compassionate Immigration Reform Stop 287 (g) Limit and/or stop Secure Communities Stop Anti-Immigrant Bills Equitable Tuition at the state level Immigrant Welcoming Cities Driver’s License Resolutions for Comprehensive Immigration Reform at the city level Intermediate: Win Humane and Compassionate Immigration Reform with a Pathway to Citizenship with Humanitarian principles at the core of any enforcement provisions Longterm: Welcoming Communities and Congregations Full equal rights and dignity for immigrants and refugees Legal Service to help Adjust Status Address Root Causes

Decision Makers (Targets) • It is important to identify the decision maker who has power to get you want you want. • For a campaign against S-Com or 287 (g) it is most likely the county Sheriff • For Federal Immigration Reform, it will be key Senators and Congresspeople, such as Sen. Graham, Sen. Menendez, Rep. Goodlatte

FIELD/ GRASSROOTS STRATEGY On the Ground Capacity Various Local Interfaith Immigration Coalitions, Council of Churches, and New Sanctuary Movement Find out more information for each group at http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/state-resources/maps-of-interfaith-immigration-field-groups/

FIELD/ GRASSROOTS STRATEGY IWJ On the Ground Capacity Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) advances the rights of workers by engaging diverse faith communities into action, from grassroots organizing to shaping policy at the local, state and national levels. We envision a nation where all workers enjoy the rights to: Equal protection under labor law - regardless of immigration status - and an end to the practice of pitting immigrant and U.S.-born workers against one another More Mission Values found at http://www.iwj.org/about/mission-values Religious Labor Solidarity Groups in the Field http://www.iwj.org/network/interfaith-groups IWJ Worker Center Network http://www.iwj.org/network/workers-centers Clergy Laity for Economic Justice (CLUE) http://www.clueca.org/old/index.htm

KIM BOBO’S- IWJ 8 PRINCIPLES FOR AN EFFECTIVE FIELD STRATEGY 8 Principles for Field Strategy 1) Don’t assume people know about their legislators or their positions on issues. 2) Most people haven’t done a lot of direct action. We have to make it easy, give them the numbers, the scripts to make the call- step by step process. 3)Convene local planning meeting- to plan at the local level- facilitated with someone with experience. Contact local groups in districts where we are trying to set up a planning meeting with a decision maker. The initial planning is essential! 4) 6 Month Strategy for CIR- overall plan to get decision maker to do the right thing, not just tactics, but we have to have a strategy, think through organizational goals, local structure, who are constituents and allies, who is decision maker, who is good secondary targets- e.g. who are campaign donors, what is their faith background, research the profile of the decision maker so you can put more pressure!

KIM BOBO’S- IWJ 8 PRINCIPLES FOR AN EFFECTIVE FIELD STRATEGY 5) Identify volunteer folks who can function as staff, very hard for only volunteer organizations, can recruit volunteers- retired pastors, interns, strong lay leaders. 6)Connect- bring interfaith groups together, build interesting and diverse coalitions 7) Email doesn’t replace real organizing – on the ground people to people and face to face meetings. 8) Affirm and Encourage- All organizing is hard work!

FIELD/ GRASSROOTS STRATEGY Tactics • Tactics= Strategic Actions • Tactics should always be directed at a target and planned activities/ actions that will help us towards winning our goals • Breaking Bread- Potlucks/ Dinners • National Call In Day January 22nd • National Telefonic Press Conference with high level religious leaders • Coordinate DC Advocacy Hill Visits • Join Local Actions with Larger Coalitions and lift up faith presence- Press Conferences, Actions,Rrallies etc.. • Neighbor to Neighbor Meetings/ Delegations of faith leaders to Reps/ Senators • Family Unity Vigils at a National Level- outside Reps/ Sen Office or public space • Creative Actions that raise tension and integrate faith tradition • Banners with supporting messaging- put out front of their church/temple/ mosque • Fly In day with Faith Leaders to DC

FIELD/ GRASSROOTS STRATEGY Creative Tactics • Creative Tactics Utilizing Faith Tradition • Think about what creative unique faith rooted actions can raise the symbolism of the issue and draw more public attention. Below are a few examples • Footwashing • Stations of the Cross for Lent • Prayer Wall • Delivering Prayers to Decision Makers • Invite lawmakers to read scripures/ sacred texts supportive of immigrants rights • Draw on the faith tradition of the decision maker you are pressuring • Creative images and messages with faith message

FIELD/ GRASSROOTS STRATEGY Register your events online Register your Public Action or Family Unity Vigil Here http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/state-resources/register-your-public-action-vigil/ Register your Neighbor to Neighbor Meetings with Decision Makers Here http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/state-resources/register-in-district-visits-to-lawmakers-on-cir/ Please Communicate with us, we hope to have 1,000 Vigils in 2013, but we must track the in order to do this. For In-District Meetings The IIC can also provide technical support, and share valuable information from DC Meetings about each key Senator/ Representative

FIELD/ GRASSROOTS STRATEGY Communication and Media Strategy • Communications and Media Strategy • Communications and media is linked to tactics, ways to build public education, change the public narrative and put pressure on key members- targets. Social Media can be used for online organizing outreach and turn out to activities, building contacts, additionally; it can be used to put pressure on targets. Please also see Communications Toolkit at this Link. • Press Events at the local level, turn out faith leaders at local coalition press events • Media Advisory and Press Release for any action/ event you hold • Development of messaging (e.g. People of faith loving our Neighbor advocating for Compassionate Immigration Reform) • Letters to the Editor/ Opinion Editorial • Social Media: Facebook/ Twitter • Educational Messaging- Utilizing images, articles etc.. • Facebook Events for your activities • Creating FB Groups in a local area to help people stay connected • Posting on target FB page and tweeting at target twitter handel

Full Toolkit: Soon to Be Released A toolkit will be released in the next few days to help you think about strategies and activities and to provide resources for planing and publicizing events. The toolkit will include: Introduction to strategy, goals, activities and timeline How to host a Breaking Bread and Building Bridges event Hosting a public prayer vigil on family unity Organizing a local congressional visit for immigration reform Education, resources and contacts Communications: messaging, talking points, media advisory and social media

IIC Contacts by organization • African American Ministers in Action: Leslie Malachi, lmalachi@pfaw.org • American Friends Service Committee: Lia Lindsey llindsey@afsc.org • American Jewish Committee: Chelsea Hanson, hansonc@ajc.org • Bread for the World Institute: Andrew Wainer, awainer@bread.org • Church World Service: Jen Smyers, jsmyers@churchworldservice.org • Disciples of Christ: Ken Brooker Langston, revkenbl@yahoo.com • Episcopal Church: Katie Conway, kconway@episcopalchurch.org • Franciscan Action Network: Patrick Carolan, pcarolan@franciscanaction.org • Friends Committee on National Legislation: Ruth Flower, flower@fcnl.org • Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society: Liza Lieberman, liza.lieberman@hias.org • Interfaith Worker Justice: Michael Livingston mlivingston@iwj.org • Irish Apostolate USA: Geri Garvey, administrator@usairish.org • Islamic Information Center: Hajar Hosseini, hosseini@islamicinformationcenter.org • Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, Shaina Aber, saber@jesuit.org • Jewish Council for Public Affairs: Elyssa Koidin, ekoidin@thejcpa.org • Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service: Nora Skelly, nskelly@lirs.org • Mennonite Central Committee: Tammy Alexander, talexander@mcc.org • Muslim Public Affairs Council: Hoda Elshishtawy, hoda@mpac.org • Sisters of the Good Shepherd: Larry Couch, lclobbyist@gsadvocacy.org • NETWORK: Sr. Mary Ellen Lacy, D.C., melacy@networklobby.org • Pax Christi: Scott Wright, scott@tassc.org • PICO: Michele Rudy, michelerudy@yahoo.com • Presbyterian Church, USA: Melissa Gee, melissa.gee@pcusa.org • Sisters of Mercy of the Americas: Regina McKillip, rmckillip@sistersofmercy.org • Sojourners: Ivone Guillen, iguillen@sojo.net • Union for Reform Judaism: Amelia Viney, aviney@rac.org • Unitarian Universalist Association: Craig Roshaven, croshaven@uua.org • United Church of Christ: Rev. Mari Castellanos, castellm@ucc.org • United Methodist Church: Bill Mefford, bmefford@umc-gbcs.org • UNITED SIHKS: Harpreet Singh, harpreet.singh@unitedsikhs.org • U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: Kevin Appleby, kappleby@usccb.org • World Relief: Jenny Yang, jgyang@worldrelief.org

Interfaithimmigration