Christian Churches Together

 

March 11, 2014

Immigration Reform Update:  

Reform in 2014 in Limbo

 (Article from Bread for the World) 



Demonstrators gathered at immigration reform rally  
in Los Angeles on Feb. 22, 2014. (Ricardo Moreno) 

The prospects for immigration reform in 2014 were diminished in recent days when House Speaker John Boehner questioned whether an immigration bill could pass the House, due to Republicans' "widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws." Rep. Boehner added, "It's going to be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes."

After raising advocates' hopes for reform this year with the release of House Republican principles for reform, Rep. Boehner's comments put the short-term viability of immigration reform in limbo. Still, advocates continue to push for reform, both with Congress and the administration. Boehner's apparent call for delaying immigration reform hasn't prevented other Republican leaders and constituencies at the local, state, and national levels to continue to push for updating the nation's outdated immigration system.

During a meeting with the National Governors' Association in Washington, D.C., Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said, "I'm a Republican and I'm happy to help lead the charge to say, 'Let's embrace immigration.'" Snyder described himself as being "probably among the most pro-immigration governors in the country."

In Congress, many of Boehner's colleagues, including Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart are reportedly working on legislation that will meet a majority of Republican representatives' doubts regarding enforcing immigration provisions. Rep. Diaz-Balart also said it would meet many Democratic congressional members' requirements. "Can you draft legislation that has serious border and interior security, with sufficient leverage to force this or future administrations?" Rep. Diaz-Balart said. "I think we have drafted a way to actually do that."

Major Republican constituencies have also stepped up their pressure on Congress to bring immigration reform legislation to the House floor this year. U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue re-emphasized the economic need for immigration stating, "The case for immigration reform is clear. The need is undeniable. The time is now." Donohue's statement was followed by a multi-industry letter on immigration reform signed by 636 businesses. "Failure to act is not an option," the letter stated.  

Faith-based groups across the political spectrum also continue to lead the push for reform. Catholic and evangelical Christian leaders united to urge Congress "to move forward and create a new immigration process." Leaders participating in the call urging Congress to act included National Association of Evangelicals President Leith Anderson, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Rev. Sam Rodriguez, and Catholic Archbishop Thomas Wenski.

Bread for the World continues to partner with the broad spectrum of faith-based groups in pushing for reform. Bread for the World Institute's research on the economic impact of immigration is also impacting how immigration is viewed in economic terms. In February, the Detroit News published on op-ed by the Institute on the potential of immigration to help fuel the city's revitalization.

 

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Christian Churches Together commits 
to advocate against Mass Incarceration

CCT Renews its commitment  
to make hunger and extreme poverty history
 

  

Read the Resolution

The Gospel and Poverty Next Steps  

  


 
Resources

 


Building relationships of healing, redemption and reconciliation in families and communities impacted by crime and mass incarceration.

Link HERE 

  

  

Down in the Chapel: Religious Life in an American Prison, Joshua Dubler

 

 

In an engaging and personal talk - with cameo appearances from his grandmother and Rosa Parks - human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson shares some hard truths about America's justice system, starting with a massive imbalance along racial lines: a third of the country's black male population has been incarcerated at some point in their lives. These issues, which are wrapped up in America's unexamined history, are rarely talked about with this level of candor, insight and persuasiveness.

  

 

 

 

Death Row Stories is a series of one-hour documentaries. Each episode attempts to unravel the truth behind a different capital murder case. Executive produced by Alex Gibney and Robert Redford and narrated by Susan Sarandon, these stories call into question various beliefs surrounding America's justice system and the death penalty.

Director Alex Gibney said, "The series provides stark examples of the struggle between the powerful and the powerless.  The stakes - life or death - couldn't be higher."

 

Death Row Stories will screen every Sunday on CNN for five weeks starting Sunday, March 9th at 9pm ET/PT.


 

An introduction to the Quaker Faith

Link to Quaker speak Videos HERE  

 

 

 


 

Slavery by Another Name is a 90-minute documentary that challenges one of Americans' most cherished assumptions: the belief that slavery in this country ended with the Emancipation Proclamation. The film tells how even as chattel slavery came to an end in the South in 1865, thousands of African Americans were pulled back into forced labor with shocking force and brutality. It was a system in which men, often guilty of no crime at all, were arrested, compelled to work without pay, repeatedly bought and sold, and coerced to do the bidding of masters. Tolerated by both the North and South, forced labor lasted well into the 20th century.

 

For most Americans this is entirely new history. Slavery by Another Name gives voice to the largely forgotten victims and perpetrators of forced labor and features their descendants living today.


Got to website HERE 

 

 

Christian Churches Together
Response to Dr. King's Letter 
from Birmingham Jail

Read & download: Here
 
Download Biblical Study Guide: Here 

CCT 2015 Annual Convocation
February 10-13 Houston, TX

Immigrant Faith Communities and the Future of the American Church 
  
Support the work of Christian Churches Together 
 

 

  
For more information on Christian Churches Together in the USA
contact our Executive Director, Rev. Carlos L. Malav� at
email 
or call 502.509.5168
 
 
Visit our website: www.cctusa.net