KEEP ON MOVING FORWARD-SEGUIMOS ADELANTE!

HOW HAS THIS YEAR BEEN FOR YOU?  
Probably, not what you expected.  My last blog post was four months ago.  The accompaniment work that I had been doing for the past five years didn't disappear but it changed.  No more face to face vigils, personal accompaniment to court hearings and ICE but the work still continued via email, telephone and fundraising.  In Oregon this September we experienced savage fires that destroyed homes and in particular, impacted the immigrant population - farm workers and others working in the essential services industry.   Migrant Aid emerged to raise funds to assist those most affected by the fires plus COVID.  Oregon like some other states distributed worker relief funds late spring to immigrants and others who did not receive a Federal CARES act check.  

END OF YEAR GIVING:  

Here is my check list of several organizations that are on the front line of justice work for immigrants in the USA, Mexico and Central Americans.  I would urge you to do what you can where you can to make a difference in our immigrant siblings lives.

1. FLORENCE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS PROJECT:  (FIRRP).  They are the only legal clinic in Arizona that provides free legal assistance to men, women and children detained in detention centers.   I worked with them several years ago and can attest to their effectiveness in freeing detainees.  firrp.org/
2. AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE: (AFSC).  This historic justice and peace organization works in Central America on human rights monitoring and peace-building.  Because of their presence in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, they were able to immediately respond to the humanitarian crisis from the flooding of the two hurricanes.  Luis Paiz Bekker, Central American director is interviewed in this article stressing the importance of providing humanitarian assistance NOW. www.afsc.org/blogs/news-and-commentary/update-emergency-response-to-hurricanes-guatemala?
3. ​ARTISANS BEYOND BORDERS:  If you are moved by the plight of the families waiting in Mexico to file their asylum claims, a new project has begun where the women waiting in Nogales are making "mantas/tea towels" and bags for sale.  My sister and I bought some for holiday gifts to accompany jams and jellies.  They are beautiful and as the website explains, it provides financial assistance directly to the women and their families.  A great gift any time of the year.  artandfaithinthedesert.com/.  Etsy is the distributor.

ACTION IN 2021!
  In less than a month we in the United States will have a new President and Vice President.  Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have promised to make immediate changes to our broken immigration system.  We need to be ready to act to support their actions as well as to urge and advocate members of Congress to act on immigration justice.  

The Washington Office on Latin America, a respected human rights organization in Washington, DC has developed a ten point plan of things the new administration needs to do.  This plan has been endorsed by 173 organizations.  Read it and decide where you want to put your time and energy next year.  www.wola.org/2020/08/2021-immigration-action-plan-outlines-10-priority-actions-for-incoming-administration/

My New Year's commitment:  To write, call, organize and blog for immigrant justice.  I want to live in a world that is immigrant welcoming to all people.  Please join me.