Post by admin on Aug 30, 2009 10:15:14 GMT -5
Newark, NJ - Eleven communities throughout the state are holding Children’s Vigils on Sept 15 for the rights of children who risk being taken from their families because of immigration detentions or deportations. Members of the community will bear witness to their ordeals involving separation from their families and denial of due process at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and police officers, joining voices in a call for federal immigration legislation this fall that respects human rights
”We are one human family,” said vigil co-organizer Kathy O’Leary of Pax Christi NJ, a Catholic organization advocating for peace. “Immigration reform is about all of us, and recognizing that our circle of friends and neighbors is larger than we think. It is about rejecting fear and instead embracing our shared humanity.”
Leaders in the advocacy and religious communities will gather with families at churches, parks and town halls in Bridgeton, Camden, Dumont, Freehold, Hightstown, Jersey City, Highland Park, Keyport, Montclair, Morristown, and Newark in support of families separated by current immigration practices. Congress and the White House have promised to address immigration reform this fall. Advocates are urging lawmakers to pass laws that protect and keep families together and have begun a letter-writing campaign demanding the passage of the Child Citizen Protection Act (HR 182), which promises that children who are U.S. citizens will not be forced to separate from their parents, regardless of their immigration status.
“Many children of detained parents were born in the U.S. – they’re citizens,” vigil co-organizer Chia-Chia Wang of the American Friends Service Committee. “No child should be forced to choose between their parents and their country.”
The Children’s Vigils draw in part on the values outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. “The inherent dignity and … the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,” the Convention on the Rights of Children declared for the first time September 2 1990, 19 years ago. “A child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except…for the best interests of the child.” Only Somalia and the U.S. have yet to ratify the Convention.
Family unification has been the cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy since the passage of the Immigration Act of 1965and must continue to be so. Family values must be fundamental and central to any immigration law or policy reform.
Vigil participants will call for an end to ICE raids, detentions and deportation, rounded out in testimony from members of the community whose rights were denied. Laws aimed at addressing perceived threats are being abused to sweep up thousands of families. Detention Watch Network estimates that the current levels of detention now cost taxpayers $1.7 billion a year. ICE practices make it difficult to assess how many people are in detention, the advocacy organization IRATE (full name?) which runs the detainee visitors program First Friends estimates that about 1,000 immigrants are currently detained at the Elizabeth Detention Center and jails around New Jersey.
New Jersey communities have suffered from these raids. Both the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and the town of Morristown have specific agreements with ICE that enable local law enforcement to carry out immigration responsibilities. These controversial agreements have split the community and fostered distrust between residents and police.
“The people here in Morristown reject the idea that immigrants are to be treated like criminals,” said Vigil co-organizer Diana Mejia of Wind of the Spirit in Morristown. “People in our community from all walks of life are coming out in droves to support of all families who work and live in our town – with or without papers. We are all members of the same community.”
Co-organizer of the Highland Park Vigil, Anne Barron of Middlesex County Coalition for Immigrant Rights summed up the purpose for the Vigils, “The hundreds of people expected to attend today’s vigils range in backgrounds, immigration status, religious beliefs, experiences in America and in our cultures but share a common belief: We are all part of one human family. End the raids, detentions of families and deportations. Support families.”
Freehold -- (Hall of Records), Rita Dentino, Casa Freehold,
Children's Vigil 6 PM Freehold NJ in front of the Sheriff's office and proceeding from there to the Monmouth County Hall of Records(cor.Main & South St. Freehold) If you or someone from your group would like to speak about the urgent ca...use of keeping families together, stopping deportations & detention please contact Casa Freehold
”We are one human family,” said vigil co-organizer Kathy O’Leary of Pax Christi NJ, a Catholic organization advocating for peace. “Immigration reform is about all of us, and recognizing that our circle of friends and neighbors is larger than we think. It is about rejecting fear and instead embracing our shared humanity.”
Leaders in the advocacy and religious communities will gather with families at churches, parks and town halls in Bridgeton, Camden, Dumont, Freehold, Hightstown, Jersey City, Highland Park, Keyport, Montclair, Morristown, and Newark in support of families separated by current immigration practices. Congress and the White House have promised to address immigration reform this fall. Advocates are urging lawmakers to pass laws that protect and keep families together and have begun a letter-writing campaign demanding the passage of the Child Citizen Protection Act (HR 182), which promises that children who are U.S. citizens will not be forced to separate from their parents, regardless of their immigration status.
“Many children of detained parents were born in the U.S. – they’re citizens,” vigil co-organizer Chia-Chia Wang of the American Friends Service Committee. “No child should be forced to choose between their parents and their country.”
The Children’s Vigils draw in part on the values outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. “The inherent dignity and … the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,” the Convention on the Rights of Children declared for the first time September 2 1990, 19 years ago. “A child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except…for the best interests of the child.” Only Somalia and the U.S. have yet to ratify the Convention.
Family unification has been the cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy since the passage of the Immigration Act of 1965and must continue to be so. Family values must be fundamental and central to any immigration law or policy reform.
Vigil participants will call for an end to ICE raids, detentions and deportation, rounded out in testimony from members of the community whose rights were denied. Laws aimed at addressing perceived threats are being abused to sweep up thousands of families. Detention Watch Network estimates that the current levels of detention now cost taxpayers $1.7 billion a year. ICE practices make it difficult to assess how many people are in detention, the advocacy organization IRATE (full name?) which runs the detainee visitors program First Friends estimates that about 1,000 immigrants are currently detained at the Elizabeth Detention Center and jails around New Jersey.
New Jersey communities have suffered from these raids. Both the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and the town of Morristown have specific agreements with ICE that enable local law enforcement to carry out immigration responsibilities. These controversial agreements have split the community and fostered distrust between residents and police.
“The people here in Morristown reject the idea that immigrants are to be treated like criminals,” said Vigil co-organizer Diana Mejia of Wind of the Spirit in Morristown. “People in our community from all walks of life are coming out in droves to support of all families who work and live in our town – with or without papers. We are all members of the same community.”
Co-organizer of the Highland Park Vigil, Anne Barron of Middlesex County Coalition for Immigrant Rights summed up the purpose for the Vigils, “The hundreds of people expected to attend today’s vigils range in backgrounds, immigration status, religious beliefs, experiences in America and in our cultures but share a common belief: We are all part of one human family. End the raids, detentions of families and deportations. Support families.”
Freehold -- (Hall of Records), Rita Dentino, Casa Freehold,
Children's Vigil 6 PM Freehold NJ in front of the Sheriff's office and proceeding from there to the Monmouth County Hall of Records(cor.Main & South St. Freehold) If you or someone from your group would like to speak about the urgent ca...use of keeping families together, stopping deportations & detention please contact Casa Freehold