CCIR is excited to share "REEL Images of Immigration" with you as a way for churches, friends, and individuals to engage with various issues surrounding our national immigration system and policy. Many Christians are already involved in caring for their immigrant neighbors, but have questions about how to fix the system.
The movies highlighted in the film guide depict different pieces of this complex issue to help spark conversation, discussion, and reflection about why and how we should work for reform.
On Thursday, June 24th, CCIR hosted a national conference call, “Faithful Perspectives: A Conversation on Immigration and Your Congregation.” A panel of pastors and leading advocates spoke about the fundamental issues surrounding immigration in the U.S., talked about the tricky issues surrounding the debate, and explored ways that pastors and church leaders could faithfully respond.
Arizona’s S.B. 1070, the harshest anti-immigrant legislation in the country, was recently signed into law. This legislation would essentially lead to a legalizing of racial profiling, and is a misguided and mistaken attempt to deal with the issue of immigration. Many of our friends in Arizona, whose church and faith ministries are involved with serving immigrants, regardless of their documentation, have already stood up against this bill.
But we shouldn’t be surprised by this new, enforcement-by-fear legislation. Arizona’s legislature is reacting to a lack of national leadership on the issue of immigration. Until national immigration reform is passed, we can expect to see more state “solutions” like Arizona's as states try to tackle a federal issue. We need to ask our senators to set about providing more cohesive, comprehensive and humane immigration reform.
The Flobots’ Johnny 5 has recorded a message for Arizona. Their band will play in Tuscon, AZ on May 1 and use their performance as a way to speak out against SB1070, the harshest anti-immigrant law in the nation.
Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform joined faith leaders and religious groups from across the ideological and theological spectrum to launch"Together, not Torn: Families Can't Wait for Immigration Reform."This new initiative reflects the strong grassroots movement building in local churches and houses of worship throughout America.
This holiday season, we'll be sending postcards to members of Congress, asking them to keep families together by supporting comprehensive immigration reform. We've already had requests for over 16,000 postcards -- thanks to all of you who got involved!
Join the growing movement of Christians mobilizing for immigration reform. Host a house party for your friends and faith community. Our house party toolkit, which provides resources and guidance on how to start and facilitate a conversation on immigration, is available now. Download the toolkit and register your event here:
