Senator Kirk’s NO-Vote: What Can We Do Now?

by Jessica Cohen
JCUA Intern, Communications

After the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the immigration reform bill, proponents of Comprehensive Immigration Reform waited in anticipation of its debate on the Senate floor.

While the bill was moved to the floor earlier this week, many Illinois residents were dismayed by Senator Mark Kirk’s decision to vote NO to the motion.

With only a handful of Republican votes needed, Senator Kirk’s decision is especially disappointing: as a moderate Republican, he has the potential to progress immigration reform in a significant way that he has not yet taken advantage of.

The bill, SB 744, also known as the Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill, includes a path to citizenship for the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.

As Jews, we can fulfill the commandment to “welcome the stranger” by letting Senator Mark Kirk know that we support this path to citizenship and want him to take positive action in addressing our nation’s broken immigration system.

“As our elected official, Mark Kirk needs to know that the Jewish community supports a just and compassionate Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill and that we find his recent vote unacceptable,” said Rabbi Ali Abrams, JCUA’s Director of Organizing.  “Blocking the possibility of immigration reform goes against Jewish tradition and values.”

Although Senator Kirk has not released an official statement describing where he stands on immigration reform, his decision to vote against debating the bill makes clear his lack of interest in its discussion. Without a willingness to tell us where he stands or what he would need to pass this bill, Senator Kirk refuses us the ability to support him in making a positive decision.

We are at a crucial juncture for immigrant justice. To show Senator Kirk how out of touch he is with the concerns of his constituents, please call asking him provide a statement describing where he stands and what he would need to vote in favor of immigration reform.

Please call all three of Kirk’s offices: Chicago (312-886-3506), Springfield (217-492-5089) and Washington DC (202-224-2854). Here is a sample script provided by JCUA’s partner organization ICIRR:

“Hello, my name is ___________ and I am from ________ (city/town). As Senator Kirk’s constituent, I am extremely disappointed in the Senator’s vote against the motion to proceed to the Senate floor with Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Senator Kirk should tell his constituents where he stands on SB 744 and stop preventing the bill from being debated.”

[Action Alert] Jewish Community Immigration Reform Call-In Day

Join us in a Jewish Community Immigration Reform Call-In Day on Tuesday, May 21st. Please call Senators Kirk and Durbin letting them know you support a just, humane bill.

For the past few weeks, senators have been hearing and voting on amendments to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act S. 744- the Senate proposal for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Senators reconvened today and they are expected to begin considering amendments related to refugees, asylees, and other vulnerable populations. We are also hearing that they might consider amendments related to family and the pathway to citizenship today or tomorrow.

Currently, 11 million people live in fear of separation and arrest because our immigration system is broken and there is no way for them to earn citizenship.  At JCUA, we want to make sure this bill creates a clear path to citizenship without obstacles.  We want our legislators to prioritize keeping families together, and want the bill to include protections for the families of LGBT persons.

American Jews are a community deeply connected to the immigrant story. That history guides us and we will not shut the door on those who came after us. Providing a roadmap to citizenship fundamentally reflects our Jewish values and communal experience in America.

It is critical that our senators hear from us now! Join us in a Jewish Community Immigration Reform Call-In Day tomorrow May 21st. Please call Senators Kirk and Durbin letting them know you support a just, humane bill.

[Urgent Action Alert] Stop Housing Discrimination in Cook County

Call your Cook County Commissioners Today! The County Board is taking an important vote tomorrow morning. Details:

In suburban Cook County, a person can be discriminated against by a property owner or landlord if they happen to pay their rent with a Housing Choice Voucher (formerly known as Section 8).  This is codified discrimination happening in our very backyards.

As a partner in the Source of Income Campaign, JCUA supports an amendment to the Human Rights Ordinance of Cook County which would make such discrimination illegal.  The Source of Income protection amendment to include Housing Choice Vouchers as a protected class under the county’s fair housing ordinance is included in the Human Relations Committee Report from July 24, 2012.  This protection already exists in Chicago and we want to mirror that protection for the suburbs.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners are voting on the report TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 8th at 11:00 AM.  We need your help to stop housing discrimination!  Please call your Commissioner (find your commissioner here, contact info below) and tell them:

In the vote tomorrow, please vote YES in support of The Human Relations Committee Report from July 24, 2012

JCUA will be at the vote and we invite you to join us:

Wednesday, May 8th at 11:00am in the County Board Chambers (118 N. Clark Chicago, IL; 5th Floor).

Please get there early to secure a seat or standing space.

Commissioners Contact Information:

1ST Earlean Collins 312-603-4566

2ND Robert Steele 312-603-0319

3RD Jerry Butler 312-603-6391

4TH Stanley Moore (Formerly Williams Beavers district) 312-603-2065

5th Deborah Sims 312-603-6381(if you can make only one call please call Commissioner Sims Office)

6th Joan Murphy 312-603-4216

7th Jesus Garia 312-603-5443

8th Edwin Reyes 312-603-6386

9th Peter Silvestri 312-603-4393

10th Bridget Gainer 312-603-4210

11th John Daley 312-603-4400

12th John Fritchey 312-603-6380

13th Larry Suffredin 312-603-6383

14th Gregg Goslin 312-603-4932

15th Tim Schneider 312-603-6388

16th Jeff Tobolski 312-603-6384

17th Elizabeth Gorman 312-603-4215

Postville Remembrance Day – May 10

POSTVILLE IMMIGRATION RAID -  5 YEARS LATER

JCUA marches in solidarity with the people of Postville, Iowa, 2008.  » See more photos

On Friday, May 10, 2013 a gathering commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Postville, Iowa immigration raid will take place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The purpose of the event is to remember the 389 persons who were arrested on May 12, 2008, to reconcile with those who contributed to the injustices, and to advocate for the reform of immigration policies.  JCUA was very involved in the efforts five years ago and we continue to be committed to worker and immigrant justice.

The event will begin at noon with a remembrance ritual in front of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, 111 7th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

A “Walk for Justice” will follow at approximately 12:20 p.m. to Immaculate Conception Church, 857 3rd Ave. SE.  Here an interfaith prayer for reconciliation and a call for reform of our immigration policies will take place around 1:00 p.m. The assembly is being planned by a wide coalition of those involved in the response to the raid as well as those affected.  It will include immigrants who were part of the 2008 raid, church representatives who ministered to the immigrants and their families, lawyers who saw the injustice of the system, as well as others who are concerned about immigration reform.

The remembrance ritual is being held in front of the federal courthouse because of the court’s role in the raid and its significance to the ongoing national conversation about immigration.  Postville was one of the largest raids in American history and it devastated families and ripped an entire community apart.  We now must move forward to make sure Congress takes the necessary action to reform our immigration system—making sure we provide a path to citizenship, protect workers and end raids.

More information is at www.lirs/postville-anniversary.

RSVP:

If you are interested in going to Cedar Rapids with JCUA, please contact Rabbi Ali Abrams at alison@jcua.org.

 

[Action Alert – 5/3] Interfaith Vigil for Detained Immigrant Rights / Postville Remembrance Day

On May 3, 2013, the JCUA will participate in an interfaith vigil at the Broadview Detention Center. We will offer our support and prayers to those held at Broadview and subsequently deported. JCUA members will represent a larger Jewish voice demanding comprehensive immigration reform in the United States. The vigil will also serve to remember the tragic events in Postville, IA 5 years ago, as we seek to turn tragedy into a victory for justice.

We ask that you join us in standing with those held at Broadview and their families by participating in the vigil with us.

Click here to RSVP.

When:

7:15 AM – Vigil begins at Broadview Detention Center.

Where:

Broadview Detention Center
1930 Beach Street, Broadview, IL

Transportation:

• Once we know who wants to come, we will plan for transportation for those not driving.
• When you RSVP , please indicate if you need transportation.

Contact person:

Rabbi Ali Abrams
JCUA Director of Organizing
Alison@jcua.org

[Action Alert – 5/1] Act for Immigration Reform

On May 1, 2013, JCUA supporters will participate in the 2013 May Day March for immigration reform and immigrant rights. This movement calls for legislation to stop deportations and keep families together. It calls for legalization for all. The JCUA strongly believes that IMMIGRANT RIGHTS are HUMAN RIGHTS and we hope you will join us in marching for immigration reform.

RSVP here.

Date:

• Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Schedule:

• 2:00 PM – Gathering at Union Park
• 3:00 PM – March Begins
• 4:00 PM – Rally at Federal Plaza (Jackson St. and Dearborn St.)

JCUA Meeting Area:

Option 1: Meet us at 2:30 PM (Union Park)

• You can arrive at Union Park via Ashland-Lake CTA train (Green and Pink lines)
• JCUA members will be at the northeast corner of Ashland and Washington (see photo of meeting area). Look for the JCUA sign!

Option 2: Meet us at 4:00 PM (approximately) at the rally (Federal Plaza):

• When the march arrives at Federal Plaza, JCUA members will gather between the Calder sculpture and the federal building. (see photo of the meeting area). Look for the JCUA sign!

RSVP:

• Let us know if you plan on coming. It will make coordinating much easier!
• RSVP here.

With any questions, please contact:

Rabbi Ali Abrams
JCUA Director of Organizing
Alison@jcua.org

Get Trained to Advocate for Common Sense Gun Legislation

For the past several months, JCUA and our community partners have been pushing for effective legislation in Illinois that would reduce gun violence in Chicago. We need 100,000 signatures of concerned citizens to bring lawmakers to vote on legislation that requires guns to be titled like cars and we need your help!

Attend a training on common sense gun legislation, and become a more effective advocate:

WHEN:
Sunday, March 17th, 11-12:30 pm

WHERE:
Beth Hill Congregation B’nai Emunah (Spak Auditorium)
3220 Big Tree Lane, Wilmette

Please RSVP here.

Questions? Contact:

Rabbi Alison Abrams
Director of Organizing, JCUA
alison@jcua.org

[Action Alert - 4/5] Interfaith Vigil for Detained Immigrant Rights

On April 5, 2013, the JCUA will participate in an interfaith vigil at the Broadview Detention Center. We will offer our support and prayers to those immorally held at Broadview and subsequently deported, and we will represent a piece of the larger Jewish voice demanding comprehensive immigration reform in the United States.

JCUA members in previous vigil at Broadview

We ask that you join us in standing with those held at Broadview and their families by participating in the vigil with us. Rabbi Ali Abrams will be offering an opening and closing prayer at the vigil. Click here to RSVP.

When:

7:15am  Vigil begins at Broadview Detention Center.

Where:

Broadview Detention Center
1930 Beach Street, Broadview, IL.

Transportation:

• Once we know who wants to come, will be plan for transportation for those not driving.
• When you RSVP, please indicate if you need transportation.

Contact Person:

Rabbi Ali Abrams
JCUA Director of Organizing
alison@jcua.org

[ACTION ALERT - 3/10] Come Out for Immigration Reform

March is national “coming out of the shadows” month.  This Sunday, March 10, the JCUA will participate in the “Out of the Shadows” march where undocumented youth will declare themselves, “undocumented and unafraid.”  This event is led by the inspiring Immigrant Youth Justice League. We ask that you join us in standing with them (RSVP here).

This movement, which originated in Chicago on March 10, 2010, has grown every year and has seen nationwide participation.

Date:

• Sunday, March 10, 2013

Schedule:

• Noon   March begins at Union Plaza, ending at Federal Plaza.
• 1 pm   Rally begins in Federal Plaza, where youth will declare themselves “undocumented and unafraid” in front of the federal immigration office building.

JCUA Meeting Area:

Option 1: Meet us at 11:45 am (Union Park):

• You can arrive at Union Park via the Ashland-Lake CTA train (Green and Pink lines)
• JCUA members will meet at the northeast corner of Ashland and Washington (see photo of meeting area). Look for the JCUA sign!

Option 2: Meet us at 12:45 pm (approximately) at the rally (Federal Plaza):

• When the march arrives at Federal Plaza, JCUA members will gather between the Calder sculpture and the federal building (see photo of meeting area). Look for the JCUA sign!

RSVP:

• Let us know if you plan on coming (it will make coordinating much easier). RSVP here.

With any questions, please contact:

Rabbi Ali Abrams
JCUA Director of Organizing
alison@jcua.org

[Action Alert] Support Illinois Legislation to Stop Gun Violence

Join JCUA and our community partners in pushing for effective legislation in Illinois that can greatly reduce gun violence in Chicago. Sign the petition asking that all guns in Illinois be titled like cars. We need 100,000 signatures of concerned citizens, to bring lawmakers to vote on Illinois House Bill 5831.

by Lauren Goldstein
Organizing and Advocacy Intern, JCUA

On Wednesday, February 6, Marci Richards – director of the Peace Coalition Against Violence – presented to JCUA staff and lay leaders the important work she is doing to reduce violence in Chicago.

By promoting legislation targeting gun violence, and working with neighborhood clergy members to address root causes of violence, the Peace Coalition Against Violence hopes to see a sharp reduction in the number of lives lost in our city. One life lost is one life too many. Hence, JCUA is standing with the Peace Coalition to bring peace to our streets and to, as Ms. Richards stated, respect the sanctity of human life.

We ask that you join us and please help prevent gun violence in Chicago! By signing this petition, you will help pass Illinois House Bill 5831. This bill will require hand guns in the state of Illinois to be titled like cars, which will, in turn, reduce illegal gun trafficking and hold gun owners responsible for reporting lost and stolen weapons. While this is only a small step in reducing the violence plaguing our city, it is a step in the right direction.

Click here to read more about this bill and sign the petition to stand united as one city against the senseless violence that continues to strike families every single day.