Breaking News:
United Methodist National Agencies oppose current immigration bill.
Providing Stability for Immigrants
One of the greatest needs of the immigrants in our midst is a secure immigration
status. After they have been granted legal permanent residence or filed
appropriately for a status for which they are eligible, immigrants can
apply for work permits; get Social Security numbers; get driver’s
licenses; check into a hospital, take classes at a community college;
and enjoy any number of benefits that most of us take for granted. They
no longer live in fear. They can pay taxes; buy a home; become active
in their children’s education and community programs; and study
to become leaders in their churches. The key is adequate legal help in
achieving the status for which they are eligible, but many cannot afford
to hire an attorney. Justice for Our Neighbors has proven to be a great
model for offering free legal services to low-income immigrants.
A Unique Project
Our first goal is to provide
free legal services to low-income immigrants as they try to follow the
complicated immigration laws and processes to obtain and retain their
legal status in the United States. Our attorney is a Church and Community
worker, paid a missionary salary. Most office costs have been donated
as in-kind contributions, keeping costs very low. In 2003 our attorney
advised and/or represented almost 500 clients, including new cases and
unresolved cases from previous years with expenditures under $72,000.
Using these figures, our “cost per client” was $144.
Faith-Based
Our second goal is to provide volunteers with
opportunities for ministry with immigrants and to make volunteers informed
advocates for the strangers in our midst. Our attorney brings expertise
in United States immigration law and strengthens advocacy for immigrants
in their churches, in their communities, and with their
representatives in government.
Biblical Mandate
Bishop Palmer has appealed to us to welcome immigrants to our state. Our
conference has made hospitality to strangers one of our priorities. One
of our colleagues, Judy Kading, recently wrote that the Bible is really
an immigration handbook, written by, for, and about immigrants. Think
of the stories of Abraham and Sarah sent from their land to an unknown
place. Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt for the same economic reasons
that drive our friends from the south away from their homes into our strange
land. Moses was a criminal alien fleeing for his life who returned to
lead the Israelites out of political persecution to the promised land.
Ruth followed Naomi to her homeland, and they were dependent on Boaz for
food and life. The prophets often fled for their lives to strange lands.
Jesus’ life started with a flight to Egypt, and his ministry was
based on giving hope to the poor and welcoming the stranger.
Recognizing our biblical mandate provides the faith basis for Justice
for Our Neighbors. Because our volunteers are motivated by their desire
to provide hospitality, clients are put at ease by the welcoming atmosphere
of JFON clinics.
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