Council Voices

Durham Herald-Sun

As the legislature returns to Raleigh, all eyes will be on the budget with its projected shortfall of over $3 billion. But observers expect a slew of bills on other issues as well, including one that always attracts controversy: immigration. No doubt it will be tempting for some lawmakers to try to implement Arizona’s “papers, please” immigration law here in North Carolina. But as we have already learned from Arizona, this approach is shortsighted and misguided.

The American Independent

North Carolina faith leaders today called on Congress to pass the DREAM Act to provide opportunities for education and citizenship to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. The faith leaders’ statement issued through the NC Council of Churches is part of a national push led by President Obama to get the bill through during the lame-duck session. The current Democratic majority in both chambers might muster the votes for its passage. Republicans, who will take control of the House in January, generally oppose the bill.

Durham Herald-Sun

“Brother Towns/Pueblos Hermanos” tells the story of two towns, Jacaltenango, Guatemala, and Jupiter, Fla., that are linked by immigration, family and work. It traces the path of people who travel thousands of miles from home in the hopes of making a living and being able to send money back to their families. While conducting graduate field research in Jacaltenango, Thompson realized that violence and economics had driven thousands of men and women from the Guatemalan town to Florida. His film captures that as well as the voices of people opposed to undocumented immigrants and those who are advocates for helping migrants, regardless of their documentation status.

Qué Pasa Media Network

Raleigh – Aunque el tema de la reforma migratoria mantiene dividido a la opinión pública del país, el Concilio de Iglesias de Carolina del Norte sigue trabajando para crear un efecto positivo entre los residentes del estado y sensibilizarlos sobre la situación que atraviesan millones de personas sin papeles.

A partir de octubre se proyectará “Pueblos Hermanos”, un documental del cineasta Charles Thompson, que se enfoca en describir la travesía desarrollada por pobladores mayas de Jacaltenango, Guatemala, hacia la ciudad de Júpiter, en el estado de la Florida, donde estos inmigrantes se han ido asentado con el paso de los años y trasladado parte de su cultura.