Immigration

Nuns on the Bus – a 6,500 mile odyssey exploring the need for humane immigration reform – is coming to North Carolina during May 31-June 1.

Nuns on the Bus were welcomed last year by thousands of well wishers as they traveled from state to state in support of of federal budget priorities that address the needs of struggling families. This year, they are traveling across the Unite States–6,500 miles over 15 states–53 events in 40 cities–standing with immigrants, faith-filled activists, community organizations, and Catholic sisters who serve immigrant communities.

Their message is clear: Congress must act now to implement commonsense immigration policies that reflect our values, not our fears.

Now is the time to demand that North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan stand on the right side of history and publicly support the Senate’s immigration reform bill.

Call 1-888-891-3271 and ask Senator Burr and Senator Hagan to publicly support immigration reform.

With the introduction of the landmark immigration legislation by the Senate, the immigration debate continues to heat up. And North Carolina is paying attention. From faith leaders to business leaders to the state’s leading newspapers, we are seeing very strong support for the bill. Now is the time for our elected officials to step up and help make humane immigration reform a reality. Below is a summary of recent perspectives on the bill.

On Maundy Thursday of Holy Week, the Raleigh News & Observer published a powerful full-length editorial in support of humane immigration reform by two of North Carolina’s leading religious figures, Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh and Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Diocese of NC. Together, the bishops specifically called on […]

Facing mounting criticism both statewide and nationally, the NC Department of Transportation has backed off from the now-infamous “pink stripe” design for driver’s licenses that will be issued to young immigrants. The original pink design, which was an administrative decision made behind closed doors, ended up receiving national media coverage, including major outlets like USA Today, Reuters and the NY Times. The redesigned licenses will retain the problematic wording: “Legal Presence / No Lawful Status.”

Dozens of faith communities and religious leaders from across theological traditions weighed in against the controversial license.

Young immigrants are about to be singled out by a radical new pink driver’s license with the words “NO LAWFUL STATUS” on it. Learn more, sign the statement, and fight discrimination here.

In an incredibly short-sighted move, the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) stopped issuing driver’s licenses several months ago to young immigrants who had been granted a two-year work permit under the DACA program. That program, enacted by the Obama administration last year, blocks deportation for young immigrants who came to the U.S. before they […]

With this report, the Committee is in effect conceding that it cannot push for Arizona or Alabama-style legislation. While there is no doubt that some members of the General Assembly will cynically attempt to pass new measures that target immigrants, the immigrant rights community in North Carolina can stand proud. There are many battles that lay ahead, but at least for now disaster has been averted thanks to the courage of undocumented protesters and the strong immigrant rights partnerships that are being forged across the state.

Thankfully the election is over and the American people can look forward to their leaders governing for a season before returning to full-scale re-election mode. While the economy continues to dominate headlines in both the Business and Politics sections of the paper, one of the most pressing issues facing the 113th Congress is comprehensive immigration reform. Election night demonstrated the growing power of Latino voters and the renewed demand for results on immigration policy.

This is really a unique event for North Carolina, bringing together people across the state who are connected to both faith communities and immigrant communities. While the immigration debate rages, congregations are really on the front lines – offering English courses, meals, job training, and pastoral care to people facing very challenging situations. The Summit will help equip faith leaders to both deal with these difficult realities and to mobilize support for immigrants in their own contexts.

On September 18, the NC Council of Churches hosted a free one-hour webinar focused on immigration at the federal level. Between the recent Supreme Court ruling on Arizona’s SB1070 and the Obama Administration’s announcement of deferred action, Congress has been engaged in a lively debate on many other issues related to immigration – and people’s lives and livelihoods are at stake. Learn about the latest bills and how your congregation can make a difference. Click here to watch a free recording of this webinar.

Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court should put to rest any notion of North Carolina trying to enact an Arizona- or Alabama-style immigration bill. While we remain concerned that the ruling could leave the door open for legalized racial profiling, the Court has made clear that immigration policy and enforcement should be left up to the federal government.

Here at the NC Council of Churches we see how faith communities are putting their faith into action every day, ministering at the front lines of the immigration debate by offering English courses, meals, job training, and pastoral care to people facing very challenging situations.

When our three-year-old runs off to another part of the house to play and suddenly becomes quiet, you know that she is either very focused on whatever she is playing with or has done something she shouldn’t have. In either case, something is going on. Well, here in the office of the North Carolina Council […]

For the first time since its creation, a special committee reviewing North Carolina’s immigration policy heard from the public on Wednesday, March 28th. To a hearing room packed with advocates on both sides of the immigration debate, speakers told their stories to North Carolina lawmakers charged with considering the state’s role in immigration. Reverend Villegas presented the co-chairs of the committee with over 175 written comments from clergy and people of faith from across the State urging the committee to carefully consider the negative impact that new tough, anti-immigration laws would have on North Carolina.

Tell NC legislators that we don’t want to follow Arizona and Alabama – say NO to harmful anti-immigrant legislation that could be introduced here in North Carolina.

A special committee of the NC House has been meeting to determine whether to introduce an Arizona-style “Papers, please” bill. This is your chance to hold lawmakers accountable for making NC a welcoming state that is competitive in the global economy instead of enacting costly measures that will separate families and threaten our economy.

When it comes to the debate about immigration, one of the most challenging aspects for people of faith is the way that immigrants are so often portrayed very negatively. From mainstream media to radio talk show hosts to political ads, immigrants are depicted over and over as criminals, gang members, and drunk drivers – basically, as people to be feared. These negative stereotypes tend to create fear and hinder progress when it comes to fixing our nation’s broken immigration system. There are several ways that you can stand up against these negative images.

I had the pleasure of gathering with folks at First Baptist (Greensboro) last week for the local premiere of the film. We were lucky enough to hear directly from Robert Parham, executive director the Baptist Center for Ethics, who produced Gospel Without Borders. Dr. Parham spoke powerfully about his experiences in making the film and in seeing how these stories are already connecting with audiences across the U.S. After watching the film together, we heard from three great panelists: Hector Villanueva, pastor of Iglesia Bautista La Roca in Siler City and a featured story in the film; Mike Aiken, executive director of Greensboro Urban Ministries; and Rabbi Fred Guttman, Temple Emanuel (Greensboro). Each connected the messages of the film with their own contexts.

In October, the NC Council of Churches will kick off a series of events to bring together clergy and seminary students around immigration issues – and you’re invited to attend! This statewide series represents an opportunity for local ministers and students to gather together and discuss immigration through the lens of faith. Every day we’re seeing how congregations are on the front lines of the immigration debate – offering English courses, meals, job training, and pastoral care to people facing very challenging situations. In these challenging times, there is nothing quite like sitting down with other faith leaders and students as we seek a faithful response together.

This is a recorded webinar that took place on Aug. 29, 2011. The purpose of this webinar is to help viewers get a sense for what is included in the curriculum and how to use it in your own unique setting. You’ll also hear from an NC pastor about her experience using this curriculum at her church.

My first job was as a machine shop shipping clerk. I was probably a little young, but during the summer I was able to earn a few bucks and develop a taste for new and shiny bicycle parts. However, it wasn’t the money or what the money bought me that has lasted. When I think about that time, my friends and the people I worked with were a highlight.

Last month the NC Council of Churches partnered with Duke Divinity School’s Summer Course of Study to offer a clergy lunch on immigration issues. Ismael Ruiz-Millán, Director of the Divinity School’s Hispanic House of Studies, spoke about the need for churches to offer hospitality over hostility in these fraught times: “Remember, when one part of […]

Major League baseball player and All-Star Adrian Gonzalez, said last year that the anti-immigration law in Arizona was cause for boycotting the 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix.  A year later, however, the first baseman from Tijuana decided “It’s not something I am going to get into.” Baseball has a long, but often forgotten, relationship with […]

The Raleigh News & Observer recently featured a front-page story about how students are organizing in support of the Dream Act. Here at the Council, we’re excited to see this generation of young people come out of the shadows and stand against unjust immigration policies that separate families and undermine access to education. At the same time, we know these students are taking huge risks in revealing their status.