Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009

Kudos to Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D.-Ill.) who had the courage to introduce a much needed bill for Comprehensive Immigration Reform on December 15, 2009. Gutierrez is calling on Congress to take up this issue immediately after the New Year. See the Immigration Policy Center's fact sheet on the bill.

Nonminister Religious Worker Program Extended

On Octoiber 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law H.R. 2892, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2010, which extends the nonminister religious worker program until September 30, 2012.

Restrictionists Use the Bible to Defend Anti-Immigrant Stance

The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), hosted a panel discussion in Washington, DC yesterday entitled, Religious Perspectives on Immigration. As reported by the Immigration Policy Center, the evening was a thinly veiled attempt to use the Bible as a source for anti-immigrant policies.

By comparison, the Center for American Progress issued a report last month entitled, Loving Thy Neighbor, which highlights the Biblical imperative enunciated in Leviticus 19:33-34, "And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God" as the basis for faith based organizations' involvement in the immigration debate.

The Washington Post article, Immigration Gets 'Churchy' reported on the rise of grass roots efforts by faith based communities sparked by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner's (R-WI) 2005 anti-immigrant bill which would have penalized those who provide aid and comfort to people unlawfully present in the U.S., including faith based organizations.

DOS Issues Final Rule on Amended Requirements for Religious Workers

This DOS rule is effective October 6, 2009. The DOS rule was issued in order to comply with the USCIS, Department of Homeland Security R-1 regulations issued on November 26, 2008 requiring sponsoring employers to file petitions for all aliens for whom R-1 nonimmigrant status is sought.

This DOS rule requires that consular officers ensure that R-1 visa applicants have obtained an approved Form I- 129 petition from the USCIS, Department of Homeland Security before issuance of an R-1 visa.

Nonminister Religious Worker Program Extended

The nonminister religious worker program which was set to expire on September 30, 2009 has been extended until October 31, 2009 due to a continuing resolution issued by the Committees on Appropriations.

Immigrants' Rights in the Workplace

On Labor Day, I was privileged to participate in the 7th Annual Faith and Labor Picnic held at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Memphis’ Historic Evergreen Neighborhood. Although it has been several weeks since Labor Day, I was again reminded of the importance of workers' rights when I read an article of the same name published by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald of the National Jewish Outreach during the High Holidays. The article cites to Leviticus 19:13 which states, "the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with you all night until the morning." An explanation of the verse is that when one hires a day laborer to perform a task, the laborer must be paid on the same day in which the work was done. The employer is admonished not to wait until the following day to pay for services rendered lest the employer forget to make payment.

Too often we hear about immigrants, particularly those without lawful status, who were not paid for their hard work. Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) is a network of people of faith dedicated to educate, organize, and mobilize the religious community in the United States on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits, and conditions for workers, including equal protection under labor law for immigrants. To find a group near you, go to http://www.iwj.org/template/page.cfm?id=92.

9/11 NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE

On September 11, 2001, I was working for the City of New York in the Guiliani Adminstration as the Director of Citizenship New York City. My office was located a few blocks east of the World Trade Center. Words can't describe the shock and horror of the events I and my co-workers witnessed that day. We gratefully remember that we were spared and mourn all those lost in the blink of an eye. 9/11 is a day that lives in infamy for a new generation of Americans.

In the wake of 9/11, our immigration policies severely restricted the flow of legal immigration into this country. Because of the actions of a few, the many suffer. As part of President Obama's call to national service, I urge each of you to get involved in the fight for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. We cannot allow our country's rich immigrant past to fall hostage to the fear of terrorism. For more information on how you can help immigrants in your community go to http://www.immigrationforum.org/resources.

FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD PARTNER WITH CENSUS 2010

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years for the purpose of reapportioning the U.S. House of Representatives. Every person living in the United States must be counted — both citizens and noncitizens. Census forms will be delivered or mailed to households in March 2010. The 2010 Census form asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Responses to the census form should include everyone living at that address. Complete and return your 2010 Census form and encourage others — family, friends and neighbors to do the same.

By law, the U.S. Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s personal information with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local and tribal governments based on census data. Faith-based organizations and institutions use census data to apply for federal, state, and local grants.

For more information on how faith-based organizations can partner with the U.S. Census Bureau go to http://www.2010census.gov/ or contact Sherman.k.kilimanjaro@census.gov

NO VISAS AVAILABLE FOR RELIGIOUS WORKERS

Today the State Department posted the October Visa Bulletin http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4575.html which continues to list that there are no visas available for religious workers again next month. This means that religious workers who want to concurrently file an I-360, special immigrant religious worker petition, and a green card application, I-485 cannot do so either in the month of September or the month of October. This is dismal news considering that the Ruiz-Diaz decision adopted by USCIS finally permits religious workers to concurrently file I-360/I-485's so that R visa holders don't run out of R time waiting for their I-360 to be approved before filing the I-485.