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Immigrant Advocacy in Champaign County, IL We coordinate activities highlighting the contributions and needs of the foreign born.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
JANUARY 2015 Newsletter
Monday, December 15, 2014
DAPA Orientation Thursday, December 18th at 5:00pm
What is Administrative Relief?
On November 20th, the President took action on Immigration Reform. This Thursday, we will not only have an opportunity to learn more about how certain aspects of Administrative Relief will be implemented, but also how to prepare people locally for the application processes.
On Thursday, December 18th, our partners at the Immigration Project will provide an orientation on Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) at 5:00pm at Oscar Romero Parish Center, 207 N. Wright Street, Champaign. This orientation is a good opportunity to get any questions you may have about DAPA answered by a legal representative.
DAPA Orientation
Thursday, December 18th at 5:00pm
Oscar Romero Parish Center(Community building next to St. Mary's) 207 N. Wright Street Champaign, IL 61820 Questions? Email the New Americans Initiative team at: |
Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA):
Certain parents of sons or daughters who are US citizens or permanent residents (green card holders) will be able to apply for "deferred action"
- Entered the US before January 1, 2010
- Were present in the US on November 20, 2014
- Do not fall within ICE enforcement priorities
- DAPA would be valid for three years
- DAPA recipients could get work permits and could apply to travel outside the US
- DAPA will cost $465 (same as DACA)
The application period will start by late May (within 180 days of the President's announcement)
More information about Administrative Relief here:
Admin Relief Informational Flyer (English PDF, Spanish PDF)
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
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Thursday, November 20, 2014
Prospective Americans welcome presidential and congressional action
Press Release:
For Immediate Release
November 19, 2014
For media inquiries, contact: Ricardo Diaz 217-979-0255, diazr@CUimmigrationforum.org
Prospective Americans welcome presidential and congressional action
On the eve of an announcement by President Obama
[Champaign, IL] The president's action today is a necessary intervention in the stalemate over reforming our broken immigration system and, more importantly, it is good news for the hundreds of thousands of families whose lives have been adversely affected by the threat of deportation.
In June of 2013, a bipartisan Senate passed S.744, a comprehensive immigration reform bill, and yet since that time the House leadership has refused to even bring it to a vote, much less offer any serious alternative proposals, so at this point any steps to improve the system - even temporarily - are steps in the right direction.
In spite of the best efforts of many good people on both sides of the aisle, immigration reform has been turned into a partisan issue regardless of the fact that the benefits of comprehensive immigration reform are to be shared across the political spectrum. Agriculture, business and labor all share the benefits when the economy grows, and immigrants don't exist in a vacuum, they have bosses, friends, families and co-workers who do vote and who are also affected by and concerned with what is said and done on this issue. As such neighbors and residents of Illinois, we call on all of our representatives to take the opportunity to remedy the situation for all residents and to not co-mingle issues to the point of paralysis. Thus, it is our hope that this move by the Democratic president will motivate the new Republican majority to pass a permanent comprehensive immigration reform bill.
In the meantime, the CU Immigration Forum stands ready to assist local residents prepare to apply for this temporary relief, and to that end we've scheduled the following:
2014 Prospective American Information event
Dec. 2nd at 6 to 8 PM
Urbana Middle School
Members of the Immigration Forum with support with experts from the Immigration Project will detail the options of the announced program. We strongly urge the communities of immigrants NOT to contract with individuals that charge for information of supposed paperwork. As attorney Jack Wilkie warns, “it is unfortunate but during times of important announcements on immigration, some individuals take advantage to prey upon the vulnerabilities of those that haven’t yet received correct information.”
Background: The CU Immigration Forum comprises of a broad cross section of community members, students, and local service providers. They meet once a month regularly to discuss and act on immigration and serving local immigrant communities. For more information, including a full list of other events to inform the public on the presidential announcement, please visit www.cuimmigrationforum.org.
Resources:
On what the parties are arguing about:
On fraud prevention:
Partners:
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Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Congratulations to the 2014 Immigrant Welcome Award Winners
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony!
Congratulations to the Award winners!
Pictured left to right: Pastor Guy Lombela, Ricardo Carillo, Guadalupe Abreu
accepting on behalf of ECIRMAC, Allison Peraz Briseno, and Father Tom Royer.
The Immigrant Welcome Awards recognizes the contributions of individuals and organizations that have created a welcoming atmosphere for immigrants in the Champaign-Urbana community. The CU Immigration Forum has created the Immigrant Welcome Awards to celebrate the accomplishments of the following individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and have provided leadership for the wellbeing and success of immigrants in Champaign County.
2014 Immigrant Welcome Award Winners:
Student Leadership Award - student who has shown promise as an important leader in immigration issues, locally or beyond:
Allison Perez Briseno is a burgeoning leader in our community. She has participated in local immigration marches with her family and encourages other youth to chant and make an impact at these events. Most recently Allison presented Congressman Rodney Davis' Office with a father's day card where she spoke about the case of a close family member who was deported and the impact that had had on her family. She also shared that many kids at her school are living in constant fear of being separated from their parents. Allison is very young, but is already a strong leader!
Business Leadership Award - A business that contributes to the local immigrant community through advocacy, donations or in-kind services and/or a locally owned immigrant owned business that has contributed to the local economic development of CU:
Rick's Bakery - Despite having language barriers and a lack of understanding about what is needed to own a business in the US. Ricardo opened his own bakery in 2012. He frequently donates products to community and cultural events. In addition, he sells Mexican handcrafts and folk art at his Bakery. He sends the proceeds from the art sales back to his family in Mexico. Ricardo's hard work helps his community both here and abroad, contributes to the local economy, and provides a great example for others.
Leadership Award - An individual who has been a strong leader in the immigrant community.
Pastor Guy Lombela is a dedicated leader of the Congolese community and the Francophone African Communities in Champaign-Urbana. As a Pastor at Stone Creek Church, he does so much to find resources and services for families and individuals as well as creating safe spaces for people to talk about important community issues.
Distinguished Service Award - An individual who has demonstrated long-term commitment to the local immigrant community:
Father Tom Royer (Retired St. Mary's Church) has worked for immigrant rights, human rights and social justice for over 30 years. In the 1980s and 1990s he was a leader in the local Sanctuary movement, along with five other area churches. Since then he has welcomed political refugees and their families from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. His parish became a sister community to five small hamlets in rural El Salvador. At St. Mary's he organized times to offer mass in Spanish and also in a Mayan indigenous language. His motto is we work with immigrants not for them and we listen to their concerns.
Community Organization Award - A Nonprofit or community-based organization, which demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for local immigrants:
East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center (ECIRMAC) has been serving refugees, immigrants, and political asylees in CU since 1980. They serve thousands of individuals and families every year. Ms. Ho and Ms. Hlavna are the driving force of the Center, but all of the staff have shown exemplary and sustained commitment to the refugee and immigrant community. They work day and night, and even on weekends.
The Immigrant Welcome Awards recognizes the contributions of individuals and organizations that have created a welcoming atmosphere for immigrants in the Champaign-Urbana community. The CU Immigration Forum has created the Immigrant Welcome Awards to celebrate the accomplishments of the following individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and have provided leadership for the wellbeing and success of immigrants in Champaign County.
2014 Immigrant Welcome Award Winners:
Student Leadership Award - student who has shown promise as an important leader in immigration issues, locally or beyond:
Allison Perez Briseno is a burgeoning leader in our community. She has participated in local immigration marches with her family and encourages other youth to chant and make an impact at these events. Most recently Allison presented Congressman Rodney Davis' Office with a father's day card where she spoke about the case of a close family member who was deported and the impact that had had on her family. She also shared that many kids at her school are living in constant fear of being separated from their parents. Allison is very young, but is already a strong leader!
Business Leadership Award - A business that contributes to the local immigrant community through advocacy, donations or in-kind services and/or a locally owned immigrant owned business that has contributed to the local economic development of CU:
Rick's Bakery - Despite having language barriers and a lack of understanding about what is needed to own a business in the US. Ricardo opened his own bakery in 2012. He frequently donates products to community and cultural events. In addition, he sells Mexican handcrafts and folk art at his Bakery. He sends the proceeds from the art sales back to his family in Mexico. Ricardo's hard work helps his community both here and abroad, contributes to the local economy, and provides a great example for others.
Leadership Award - An individual who has been a strong leader in the immigrant community.
Pastor Guy Lombela is a dedicated leader of the Congolese community and the Francophone African Communities in Champaign-Urbana. As a Pastor at Stone Creek Church, he does so much to find resources and services for families and individuals as well as creating safe spaces for people to talk about important community issues.
Distinguished Service Award - An individual who has demonstrated long-term commitment to the local immigrant community:
Father Tom Royer (Retired St. Mary's Church) has worked for immigrant rights, human rights and social justice for over 30 years. In the 1980s and 1990s he was a leader in the local Sanctuary movement, along with five other area churches. Since then he has welcomed political refugees and their families from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. His parish became a sister community to five small hamlets in rural El Salvador. At St. Mary's he organized times to offer mass in Spanish and also in a Mayan indigenous language. His motto is we work with immigrants not for them and we listen to their concerns.
Community Organization Award - A Nonprofit or community-based organization, which demonstrates exceptional commitment to serving and advocating for local immigrants:
East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center (ECIRMAC) has been serving refugees, immigrants, and political asylees in CU since 1980. They serve thousands of individuals and families every year. Ms. Ho and Ms. Hlavna are the driving force of the Center, but all of the staff have shown exemplary and sustained commitment to the refugee and immigrant community. They work day and night, and even on weekends.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
It's time to naturalize! Come get excited about it at the Naturalization Ceremony Oct 24th at the Urbana Federal Court house
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