Category: Immigration Justice

Issues 2019 – Immigration Task Force Report

Immigration Justice Task Force

The Immigration Justice Task Force has had the benefit of two summer interns, who helped us be ready to launch two and possibly three action projects for volunteers to provide direct help to undocumented persons.  Much of the groundwork has been done.  The action projects are 1) temporary housing for persons released from detention, 2) accompaniment for persons who need to report regularly to ICE and/or attend court hearings, and possibly 3) provide transportation assistance to persons traveling from the southern border to temporary stays with family.
On the housing effort, First Friends of NJ and NY has established a very good program, and they have been able to hold one training session so far for UU volunteers.  We expect that First Friends will agree to several more training sessions.  On accompaniment, we have identified two organizations and possibly a third with which to work, channeling UU volunteers to them for training and assignment to specific opportunities for service.  One training opportunity has occurred, and we are developing others.  On transportation assistance, we have so far not found an organization in place in New Jersey offering help, and we will decide (based on the level of interest) whether we think that FaithAction itself can sustain the program.
Many details still need to be worked out, but we look forward to an opportunity for volunteers who are able to get involved with specific cases and provide direct service to those who need it.

Annual Fall Issues Conference held on October 19, 2019

by UU FA Office Leave a comment

The UU FaithAction NJ annual Fall Issues Conference was held on Saturday, October 19 at Central Unitarian Church in Paramus.  This well-attended event featured a panel of criminal justice experts.  If you were unable to attend, you can still read the reports by clicking on the link below.

Get Conference Packet Information Here: https://www.uufaithaction.org/?page_id=8284&preview=true

Maria and her two children are safe (for now)

by UU FA Office Leave a comment

ICE wants to deport our friend, Maria Gomez Ramos, caring mother of two US citizen children. Her 4 year old son suffers from a rare form of hemophilia. If Maria is deported, her son Josue would either be separated from his mother or sent to a country where he would not receive the treatment that keeps him alive.

It is no secret that many are mocking and maligning those who have come to the United States with the simple desire to work honestly and contribute.

Read More “Maria and her two children are safe (for now)”

Two Sundays, Two Awesome Conferences

by UU FA Office Leave a comment

On Sunday, February 3rd, UU FaithAction held the first Justice Policy Update Conference, which featured Professor Meghan Sacks, Criminal Justice Program Chair at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  Professor Sacks talked very knowledgeably and passionately about the legislation that created mass incarceration, the current efforts to amend some of these policies, and the injustice these policies perpetuate.  As one seasoned conference attendee stated, “It was the BEST speaker she had ever heard on this topic.”  Professor Sacks recommends that anyone interested in mass incarceration watch the films 13th and Riker’s Island: An American Jail.

On Sunday, February 10, UU FaithAction held the second Policy Update Conference at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.  Our guest speaker was journalist and WNYC on-air correspondent Matt Katz.  Matt Katz has become, over the past three yeas, a leading investigative reporter on immigration, detainees, protective status and refugees in America.  His talk was informative and riveting.  Prior to his deep dive into Immigration, Matt reported on former Gov. Chris Christie and was part of a team of journalists who earned a Peabody award for their reporting.

UU FaithAction Honors Sally Pillay

by UU FA Office Leave a comment

On Sunday, February 10th during the Justice Policy Update Conference, UU FaithAction honored First Friends Director, Sally Pillay.  First Friends of New Jersey and New York’s mission is to uphold the inherent dignity of any immigrant who has been detained as well as any asylum seeker.  They coordinate volunteer visitation, aid with resettlement and are active and vocal advocates of the immigrant/asylum seeker community.

Sally Pillay, departing Director of First Friends and Ted Fetter, Chair, UU Immigration Justice Task Force

Sally Pillay is the out-going Program Director and has been with First Friends for over a decade.  Ms. Pillay is from South Africa and is required to return to her country of birth due to the current immigration policies.  First Friends, and Sally, have been strong partners in our efforts to advance immigration justice reform.  She will be missed!