Unitarian Universalist Immigration Justice work is a direct result of our UU values. Our UU principals lead us to resist the criminalization of our neighbors and communities, and create a safer, more just, welcoming, and sustainable world.
On a national scale, this work is led by UUA campaign, Love Resists.
On a national scale, this work is led by UUA campaign, Love Resists.
*DACA clinic is on pause while we wait on congress*
DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals) were restored, and our partners sprang into action to support Dreamers in renewing their DACA paperwork! Keep Phoenix Together, supported by UUJAZ, First Church UCC, and Jews for Justice Arizona, re-opened their free clinic two Saturdays per month, and were filling up appointments fast.
DACA (deferred action for childhood arrivals) were restored, and our partners sprang into action to support Dreamers in renewing their DACA paperwork! Keep Phoenix Together, supported by UUJAZ, First Church UCC, and Jews for Justice Arizona, re-opened their free clinic two Saturdays per month, and were filling up appointments fast.
Unfortunately, a US District Court ruling was handed down in Texas vs. United States holding which has severely impacted the DACA program.
The court
The court “stayed” its order with regard to people who already have DACA. This means that they may apply to renew their DACA and that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may continue processing DACA renewal requests. The court also emphasized that its decision should not be interpreted as terminating any existing grants of DACA. People who have DACA will not lose it as a result of the court’s order.
With respect to people who are eligible for DACA but have not been granted it, the court’s order
Given the uncertainty of the future of DACA, in association with our partners at Keep Phoenix Together, we have made the difficult decision to close the clinic for the time being, until DACA is reinstated or a new program established which can provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants. In the meantime, we're looking at ways we can pivot the clinic towards other services that would be beneficial to Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants. Look out for new programs, or if we will be able to reopen the DACA clinics.
The court
- held that the DACA program is unlawful,
- set aside the DACA program and the 2012 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memorandum that originally established DACA, and
- remanded DACA back to DHS to take steps to comply with the court’s order.
The court “stayed” its order with regard to people who already have DACA. This means that they may apply to renew their DACA and that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may continue processing DACA renewal requests. The court also emphasized that its decision should not be interpreted as terminating any existing grants of DACA. People who have DACA will not lose it as a result of the court’s order.
With respect to people who are eligible for DACA but have not been granted it, the court’s order
- allows USCIS to continue to accept first-time DACA requests, but
- prohibits the federal government from approving any first-time DACA requests after July 16, 2021 (the date of the court’s decision).
Given the uncertainty of the future of DACA, in association with our partners at Keep Phoenix Together, we have made the difficult decision to close the clinic for the time being, until DACA is reinstated or a new program established which can provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants. In the meantime, we're looking at ways we can pivot the clinic towards other services that would be beneficial to Dreamers and other undocumented immigrants. Look out for new programs, or if we will be able to reopen the DACA clinics.
*Visits to Eloy are on pause during COVID-19*
Visit Eloy Detention Center
Once per month, on a Saturday or Sunday, visit Eloy Detention Center with UUJAZ to hear stories of folks that have reached out for support, and help in connecting them with services. Spanish speakers especially needed, however English-only speakers may join a pair or team.
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Serve Your Community - Volunteer
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Serve Families Seeking Asylum
Sorting donations, doing laundry, providing transportation to the airport or bus station, serving meals, conducting medical screenings, coordinating travel, facilitating art projects... there is an area for everyone to serve, Spanish-speaking or not, introvert or extrovert, seasoned or new.
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Strategize in Partnership - Organize
Puente Fellows lead their congregations in organizing for immigration + criminal justice, sharing strategy from Puente Human Rights Movement, at Granite Peak, UU Phoenix, and Sky Island.Are you a leader in your congregation working for immigration and/or criminal justice? Contact UUJAZ to ask about the next fellowship training.
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Share Your Skills - Give Time
Do you like to do research online?
Your skills can be used for justice work by our partners! Could you make spreadsheets comparing features of various models of victims rights bills? Or write narratives about conditions in Central American cities to use in asylum applications? Join us, from home, in your spare time, for this constantly changing work.
