With rhetoric continuing to heat up in the immmigration debate, with ICE raids having a devastating impact on communities and families, with the Administration completely abandoning "family values" in its latest immigration proposal(PDF), and with the Senate expected to begin debate on immigration legislation next week...the Interfaith Immigration Coalition is calling on all people of a faith and all those who truly value families to join in a Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Immigrant Families on Mother's Day, May 13th from 7-8pm in DC at Lafeyette Park behind the White House.
Follow me below the fold for more info:
WHAT: HOPE FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES - An Interfaith Prayer Vigil
WHEN: Sunday, May 13th from 7-8pm
WHERE: Lafayette Park behind the White House (McPherson Sq Metro Station)
WHO: All who want to show support for immigrant families and for humane immigration reform
No signs, no slogans, just prayer, hope, and solidarity
Event Flyer (PDF)
If you've been following the immigration debate you will know that the next few weeks are a critical time in determining whether or not Congress will be able to reach an agreement on a immigration reform bill and what the nature of that legislation will be. Given the Senate schedule and the political calendar in general, if Congress doesn't pass anything before the July 4th recess, we're not likely to see any positive changes until AFTER the presidental election...another two years that our immigration system will remain broken.
I don't want to provide a lot of commentary on the overall debate right now given how much has already been said, but the point of this particular vigil is to return to a human focus, to hear the experiences of families, and to express hope sound policies that respect human dignity, reunite families,address legitimate security needs, provide reasonable policies to address future immigration flows, and (begin wishful thinking here) attempt to look at the root causes of migration.
Below are a few links for more information and reflection. If you know anyone in the DC area, please pass along the information, but note this is not intended to be a rally or a protest, but a prayerful/respectful vigil of support and hope!
Linkies
Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform - Umbrella organization for CIR
Justice for Immigrants - U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Immigration Campaign
Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform - A newer, more evangelical group organized through Sojourners
The Bible as the Ultimate Immigration Handbook (MS Word) - by Joan Maruskin from Church World Service (and interesting look at Hebrew and Christian scriptures)
Faith and Immigration - From Beliefnet, a look at various scriptures
A Jewish Vision For The Future Of American Immigration & Refugee Policy (PDF!)