Immigration

In a time when immigrants are especially threatened, ACT is working to provide support.  We created a 24-hour Rapid Response Hotline to provide support to those who are targeted by ICE and to provide resource referrals.  We have created a network of trained Legal Observers, and a network of sanctuary churches.  We provide Know Your Rights trainings, accompaniment, and information to immigrants in our rapidly changing landscape. We connect undocumented immigrants to legal support for detention, deportation and asylum proceeding, and accompany families through the process. We advocate for increased access to health care and mental health care for undocumented immigrants through the Healthy Partners program in Sacramento County.  We also worked to end the County Sheriff department’s contract with ICE to house undocumented detainees.

ACT works on Immigration issues in both Sacramento and Yolo counties. We work in partnership with our state and national organizations on immigration reform, and advocating against family separation, mass deportation, and the Muslim Ban.

Immigration Updates

The group identified 3 pillars of work- 1) Public Witness, to include court accompaniment and clergy-led prayer vigils; 2) Organizing, to include issues like continued budget provisions for FUEL Network, banning ICE recruitment on college campuses and holding the police accountable to protect the public against ICE violence, and 3) House meetings- to grow the base. Since then, we've directed about 27 leaders to NorCal Resist for Court Accompaniment Training and many of them have already accompanied immigrants for their appointments. On August 12, we kicked of the Immigrant Solidarity LOC with 19 participants. Presbyter Karen Sapio opened the meeting with a reflection and Maribel led a discussion around power, self-interest and values, and building a healthy LOC. The group agreed to meet monthly in-person, alternating between Parkside and UUSS. On August 25, a group of approx. 45 SacACT clergy leaders signed a letter addressed to Congresswoman Doris Matsui indicating their desire to accompany her to visit the John Moss Federal Building that is currently holding detainees in the basement under unsavory conditions. She had done two surprise visits and was denied entry. Finally, in the morning of Sept. 5, with a previous appointment set with ICE officials, she finally gained entry together with Dean Matthew Woodward from Trinity Cathedral, and approx. 11 clergy called to come together only the night before, to bear witness and to attend the press conference after the visit. In the meantime, a group of clergy leaders met in the afternoon of the same day to plan for prayer vigils at the Federal Building to show support and to provide spiritual nourishment to the detainees, the families and the volunteers.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN OUR IMMIGRATION WORK?

Contact Maribel Arizmendiz - maribel@sacact.org or sign up through our form.