JFON Network Update
National Network Meeting a Huge Success
The 2008 Network Meeting, held Oct. 3-4 in New York City, drew over 90 JFON lawyers, clinic coordinators, and key volunteers for a time of learning, fellowship, and inspiration. Plenary sessions discussed the state of immigration legislation, the need to reframe the immigration debate, life and faith in immigration detention, and strategies for advocating for lasting immigration change. Through sessions and workshops, attendees developed the skills and were inspired to continue working toward JFON's mission to create a more just and compassionate environment for immigrants.
The inaugural coordinator’s Meeting – held prior to the network meeting – which included clinic and regional coordinators, was especially meaningful as leaders built a network of support and collaboration. Participants shared ideas, struggles, and triumphs with others who share the burden of leadership, strengthening their commitment to regular communication and resource sharing.
Many thanks to the NY volunteers who gave their time and energy to help us to ensure that this network meeting would be a success. Thanks also to all those who took the time and made the commitment to spend these 2 important days with the JFON family, and who, in nine states and at 23 individual congregation-based clinics, welcome and serve our immigrant neighbors.
Omaha JFON Welcomes Christy Nicolaisen
Christy Nicolaisen is the new Executive Director of Omaha JFON. A long-time volunteer at the Sioux City JFON clinic and BIA accredited representative, Christy will help sustain the Omaha program by focusing on fundraising and outreach as well as handling staff issues.
Prior to coming to JFON, Christy served as director of La Casa Latina for 9 ½ years. La Casa Latina is a non-profit program in Sioux City that not only provided immigration legal services but also offered morning and evening ESL classes and a bilingual preschool. Christy provided a voice for those whose voices went unheard; she advocated for their rights, fought discrimination cases on their behalf, and helped them get jobs and access emergency services.
Intern Reflections
JFON NY and JFON Baltimore/Washington hosted two amazing young interns this summer. They chose to dedicate 8 weeks of their summer to justice and left in indelible mark on these two regions. Their hard work and dedication helped us better serve our clients and their eagerness, idealism and youth is rejuvenating. We are glad to know that their time with us has changed them as well.
Lupe Afu (B/WDC)
The day I stepped off the train in DC was definitely scary; not only was I all alone but I would soon be a stranger in a new community. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through such an amazing experience without the love, care and support of my JFON family. Words cannot begin to describe the breadth of my experience; this summer was definitely an unforgettable one. I’ve become convinced that immigration is one of the biggest issues we have in this country. I never realized how complex the immigration system was or how hard it is to get legal status here in the US. The stories of what some people go through to better their lives and those of their families were heartrending and I felt tremendously blessed every time someone shared their story with me. I realize now that what is most wanted and needed in this system is for people to be heard.
Daphne Fernandez (JFON NY)
During my internship, I worked at each of the three clinics that make up the NY region where I met clients, did intakes, filled out immigration forms, helped with affidavits, and sent closeout letters to former clients. I also saw the region come together for a regional board meeting and at the NY Annual Conference where we helped delegates seeking information for their church or friends in need of immigration help. We also worked together to staff a circuit ride clinic at a Presbyterian Church in Yonkers. These times when the region worked as one rather than separate entities, gave me the chance to witness the vision, challenges, purpose, and passion that drive JFON and the individuals involved. There are so many things I would have loved to see through to the end: the new Harlem office, the cases of “my” clients, the affidavits I took, and the sprouting project in Yonkers. Although this was not possible, I’m thankful for the time I had with JFON and all the people who played a role at that chapter of my life. Eternal thanks to my JFON family for surrounding me with your warmth as you taught me what it means to welcome strangers as my neighbors. May we continue to refuse to live comfortably until our earth is as it is in heaven.
Current Immigration Bills
With Congress adjourned for the year, the time is ripe to launch a campaign to reach out to your Senators and Representatives and encourage them to cosponsor the following legislation.
The Protect Citizens and Residents from Unlawful Raids and Detention Act (S.3594) would bar the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from conducting raids in schools, places of worship, day care centers, victims’ services or social services agencies, and hospitals. Also, DHS would be required to screen all detainees to determine if they are US citizens or legal residents and work with child protective services to screen out vulnerable persons for release to custodial monitoring. Full text.
The Detainee Basic Medical Care Act (H.R.5950 7 S.3005) calls for timely and effective medical care for all persons in detention. It ensures that detainees with serious health conditions receive necessary medication and care based on professional clinical judgments. Crucially, S. 3005 would also require the Secretary of Homeland Security to report, within 48 hours, information regarding the death of anyone held in immigration detention. Full text.
Ya Basta Campaign against raids, detention, and deportations
On Wed., Oct 1st, ministers across Chicago and other neighborhood supporters rallied at Adalberto United Methodist Church (UMC) as they began a two-week fast in support of families threatened with deportation and separation. This fast is part of an on going campaign by Ya Basta! calling for action in the first 100 days of the 111th Congress.
Adalberto UMC, which once provided sanctuary to Elvira Arellano and Flor Crisotomo, is one of the organizing forces behind the Ya Basta! Campaign which demands a moratorium on raids and the deportation of immigrants with no criminal history other than immigration violations until comprehensive immigration reform is passed.
The campaign will continue through October with over twenty rallies in different congressional districts. Walter Coleman, pastor at Adalberto, said, “The objective of the October campaign in Illinois and throughout the nation is to establish a moratorium roll call on Oct. 14 for all candidates running for office in the November elections. We are convinced that a moratorium on raids, deportations and separation of families until legalization of the undocumented is enacted by Congress should be the demand of all people of faith in this nation and of all people who are committed to fundamental family values and the right of people to work, provide for and raise their families in the ways of the Lord.”
Ya Basta! – which means “enough is enough” in Spanish – is a coalition of some 60 organizations in Chicago as well as organizations in over 20 states. For more information, please contact Rev. Coleman at Adalberto UMC; (773) 671-1755
Our Work
from Grand Rapids, MI
Ruth, a single mother of a 1-year old son from a previous relationship, married a U.S. citizen in 2001. Unbeknownst to her, Victor*, her husband, had a history of domestic violence. He began abusing Ruth and held her captive in their marriage by threatening to have her deported. Ruth felt that she had no recourse but to put up with Victor’s abuse and stayed in that relationship. In the next few years, Ruth would give birth to three more children.
JFON first met Ruth in the fall of 2007 when Victor ejected Ruth along with her eldest son, now seven, from their family home. Ruth was panic-stricken; concerned not only that she would soon be deported but also frightened for her three young children who were still living with their abusive father. Based on the abuse Ruth had survived, Victor’s past history of domestic violence, and his refusal to petition for residency on her behalf, JFON began assisting Ruth in preparing a petition based on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Ruth initiated divorce proceedings against Victor and sought custody of their three children on the grounds of abuse. To forestall her custody claim, Victor reported her to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and delivered to them the false social security card that Ruth had used to obtain a job cleaning car dealerships at night in order to provide for her son. A short few weeks after their separation, when Ruth showed up at court for her divorce and child custody hearing, ICE officials were waiting to arrest her.
JFON later obtained proof that ICE had acted based on information they received from her husband, a man who had twice been convicted of family violence. Based on this evidence and the location of the arrest, JFON believes that ICE acted in violation of VAWA 2005's prohibitions on accepting information from possible abusers and on arresting suspects in highly sensitive locations such as family courtrooms.
Despite JFON’s insistence that Ruth had been arrested in violation of VAWA, the U.S. Attorney prosecuted Ruth for possession of the false social security card. Ruth pled guilty to possessing the card and served an additional 179 days in jail. In the interim, Victor won custody of the youngest children and her eldest child was sent to godparents who lived out of state.
After serving her sentence, Ruth was denied bond because of the mandatory detention provisions for aliens convicted of certain "crimes of moral turpitude." JFON worked closely with Ruth's federal public defender to try to ensure that Ruth's sentence did not preclude her from gaining VAWA benefits. According to the provisions of VAWA, someone like Ruth who committed a crime can still qualify for VAWA if her crime was related to the abuse she was suffering. In Ruth's case, she used the false social security card in order to provide for her son.
JFON continued to advocate and in early August, after 10 months of detention at Calhoun County Jail, Ruth was released from ICE custody pending a decision on her VAWA petition. In August, Ruth's VAWA petition was approved.
Ruth has since been reunited with her eldest son after ten months of separation and is now pursuing reunion with her youngest children. JFON is pursuing a complaint at the national level regarding the violations of VAWA 2005. Special thanks go to volunteer attorney Nate Wolf of the law firm Mika Meyers Beckett and Jones, Raquel Olivo of Legal Aid of Western Michigan, and Sean Tilton of the Federal Defender's office for their work on Ruth's behalf.
* not his real name
