March for America: Change Takes Courage

Published by Laura Rampersad in Advocacy Alerts on March 4th, 2010

100,000 Strong for Immigration Reform Now

Our nation is in a critical moment for immigration reform.  Congress and the President made a promise to the American people: to fix the broken immigration system.  On March 21st, 100,000 will march in Washington DC to make sure that they keep that promise.

We have a decision: Act now and stand up for our families and communities, or watch our historic opportunity for reform melt away.

The obvious choice?  Get on the bus!
(And if you can’t come to the march, please make a donation to help others below)

Please join Reform Immigration for America, and 500 supporters from across Michigan at the March for America.  We’re organizing buses to get there, local rallies to show strength in Michigan, and an action plan for when we get back to Michigan.


Bus Information:

Buses will leave the evening of Saturday, March 20th, and return late Sunday, the 21st.

To have a seat on the bus, you must register by March 12.  Spaces are limited.  Cost is $30*

Faith Leaders confront 287g

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on March 4th, 2010

This is a presentation delivered by Rev. Gary Henderson and actress Rocio Martinez to faith leaders in the community. This presentation depicts everyday events in Nashville and urges clergy to get involved in comprehensive immigration reform and to communicate to their churches, synagogues and mosques the effect that 287g is having on families. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Department entered into a 287g agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 200Library7. This event was co-sponsored by the Coalition for Education About Immigration (CEI) and Clergy for Tolerance and hosted by Loews Vanderbilt Plaza.

Link to video: tnjfon.org

Holland man agrees to stop handling immigration documents

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on February 14th, 2010

but denies he improperly represented himself

By Nate Reens | The Grand Rapids Press

January 28, 2010, 9:50PM

HOLLAND — A notary public accused of acting as a qualified immigration attorney has agreed to stop preparing and submitting immigration-related documents as part of a settlement, court records show.

Elias Cruz Ortiz, 77, denied all allegations that he improperly represented his professional duties, but surrendered his notary public license and will stop advising people on immigration matters.

Ortiz owned and operated Servicios Mundo Hispano, which he has since closed in the wake of the claim in Ottawa County Circuit Court.

The Holland man was sued by Farmworker Legal Services on behalf of Rodolfo Rubio, who paid $500 for an immigration petition Ortiz was not authorized or qualified to prepare.  Megan Reynolds, who represented Rubio, said it is unclear how many people Ortiz assisted over decades of opening and closing various offices in the Holland area.  Each of his clients could face immigration problems because Ortiz used his business address and that could result in missed notices and the start of deportation proceedings.

“There are serious consequences possible here and it’s important to make sure that there’s no confusion about a person’s level of education and professional ability,” Reynolds said.

Miles Murphy, Ortiz’s attorney, said his client is a “longtime upstanding member of the community.”

“He categorically denies any improper conduct,” Murphy said.

Ortiz could not be reached for comment.

An injunction barring Ortiz from immigration work stipulates he will pay $5,000 for offenses of the court order.  Reynolds claimed Ortiz violated the state’s Immigration Clerical Assistant Act that mandates non-attorneys who provide services or advice to register with the government.

Ortiz did not claim he was not an attorney and was not the equivalent of a notario publico, a title in Latin American countries refers to a person who has obtained a law license, Reynolds said.

E-mail Nate Reens: nreens@grpress.com

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/01/holland_man_agrees_to_stop_han.html

Haitian TPS Clinic

Published by Laura Rampersad in Clinic Updates, General on January 30th, 2010

Please save the date, March 6, 2010

On that date there will be a (note new location:  Lansing) legal clinic sponsored by MIRP, Diocese of Kalamazoo IAP, and the Immigration Law Clinic at UD Mercy, among others, to assist eligible Haitians in filing for Temporary Protected Status.  More information about location and how to make an appointment are coming soon.  We will post on this website as soon as it is available.

A Detroit-area date will likely be announced soon.  Please encourage everyone who might be eligible to attend a clinic or get assistance from a licensed attorney or trusted nonprofit organization.

JFON Year in Review

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on January 28th, 2010

JFON publishes its Year in Review Letter summarizing their work in 2009.  This report includes two client success stories, summary of special projects, new case statistics and funding data.

To View:  2009-e-letter

JFON begins Know Your Rights Outreach

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on January 14th, 2010

JFON has finally gained access to the ICE Detention Facility in Calhoun County to conduct Know Your Rights presentations to detainees.  This outreach program is funded by grants from the UMCOR Immigration and Refugees Ministries and the Michigan State Bar Foundation (Administration of Justice Grant).   JFON Attorney Liz Balck makes monthly visits to the Calhoun County facility.  The intent of the presentation is to present legal options to those facing deportation or awaiting a ruling on their asylum application, so they can make the best decision for themselves.  Unlike those facing criminal prosecution, those detained by ICE do not have the right to court appointed attorney and often do not have funds to pay for a private attorney.  The wait in detention can place great hardship on the individual and his/her family outside the facility, with detentions sometimes lasting a year or more.  So far, Liz has made one visit to the Women’s pod, which does not even have access to a law library; and a second to the men’s pod where she met with 20 men.  Her presentations have been well-received by immigrants and staff.  In fact, Calhoun County staff have asked that she be present next month when ICE conducts its facility audit and they are also trying to have Liz conduct a staff training.

Chaos - 75 miles from the Border

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on January 6th, 2010


Carl Shusterman writes: “On arriving at my office on Monday, December 28, 2009, I was informed that one of my clients and her family were being detained by CBP Officers at an inland checkpoint. I immediately called her on her cell phone, and spent the rest of the day in an effort to explain to the CBP that both my client and her family were legally present in the U.S. and should immediately be released from custody. Below is the story as told by my client. I hope this will inspire the CBP to better train its officers, to treat immigrants with respect and to open the lines of communication with immigration attorneys.”

Full article at: http://shusterman.typepad.com/nation-of-immigrants/2010/01/chaos-at-the-border.html

No Samaritans Allowed: U.S. Prohibits Helping Migrants

Published by Laura Rampersad in General on January 4th, 2010

By: Miguel De La Torre
Posted: Monday, October 12, 2009 5:55 am 
Section: Columns on Culture and Media

Why is it that the United Statesprohibits me from being faithful in following my Lord and Savior‘s admonishment to imitate the example of the Good Samaritan?(Luke 10:29-37)

During my time in the desert, while walking the migrant trails with food and water strapped to my back looking for those crossing the border to provide physical, spiritualand medical assistance, I came across Jesus several times.

On this highway through Hell, thousands of brown bodies die torturous deaths in fulfillment of a U.S. policy called Operation Gatekeeper designed to deter future immigration through the death of those who out of desperation attempt the cross. But among these migrants, who like lambs are sent to their slaughter, is Jesus.

Jesus was once an immigrant escaping Herod‘s reach, and Jesus today is an undocumented immigrant escaping the poverty caused by NAFTA. If you want to see Jesus, then join me in the desert for there he is again being crucified for the sins of U.S. foreign economic and trade policies toward Latin America during the past century.

To read more: click here