Immigration

U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph           Corporate Voice Statement on Immigration                                                  Join us in Advocating for Humane Immigration Reform                 Justice for Immigrants Postcard Campaign                                   http://www.usccb.org/jfi/                                                               Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill       Stand in Solidarity with Our Immigrant Brothers and Sisters                         Immigration Listening Tour - Philadelphia   On Saturday, April 4th, the Sisters of Saint Joseph were well represented at the last of 17 stops on the Immigration Listening Tour that was held at Iglesia International on Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia.  Participants included Kathy Claflin, Lillian Devlin, Sheila Falls, Mary Elizabeth Farrell, Marie Fenton, Mary Kay Flannery, Mary Beth Hamm, Pat Madden, Eileen Marnien, Ron Roche, Connie Trainor, and Dot Urban. Sponsored by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and led by Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), the listening tours provided an opportunity to hear first hand testimonies from those who have been directly impacted by the present immigration system.    In addition to Congressman Gutierrez, a host of dignitaries were present, including Representative Chakah Fattah, Councilwoman Maria Sanchez-Quinones, Rev. Joe Shields, Vicar for Hispanic Ministry, and clergy representing various faith traditions.   Congressman Gutierrez reminded us that "As a nation —as citizens— we cannot wait any longer for fair and just immigration reform. Across America, parents and children, husbands and wives are being torn apart by a system that values quotas over family values and which undermines our economic security in a time of crisis. It is for this reason that U.S. citizens in each of these cities are joining this campaign and standing up for real, lasting change."   All in attendance signed petitions urging immigration reform.

Good Friday Vigil - Newark, NJ On April 10th Pax Christi NJ and over a dozen other Immigrant rights, religious and civic groups led a Good Friday vigil at Newark’s Pennsylvania Station to raise awareness of the impact of immigration raids on Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses. They called upon the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to end the raids. Several of our sisters participated in this public action in support of our undocumented immigrant brothers and sisters.  Among those who traveled to Penn Station were: Jude Catherine Boyce, Ann Marie Gass, Georgette Gavioli, Kay Coll, Linda Klaiss, Jane McKenna, Sheila Murray, Lillian Needham, Ron Roche, Terry Shaw,  Joan Sullivan, Dot Urban, Clarisa Vazquez, Maureen Walsh, and Sharon White.   According to a press release issued by Pax Christi NJ, “immigration raids are conducted on Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses within 100 miles of the U.S. border. People traveling through upstate New York to visit family or friends have been taken off of public transportation, arrested, and detained at county jails far from their loved ones or any access to attorneys. Amtrak and Greyhound have failed to inform passengers that if they do not carry immigration documents they run the risk of arrest and detention, while DHS uses racial profiling to target immigrants. These arrests have led to separation and hardship for the family members and communities of the individuals arrested and have frightened other passengers on the trains and buses who witness the arrests.” Below: Dot Urban, Ron Roche, Sheila Murray, Clarisa Vazquez, Maureen Walsh, Georgette Gavioli and Joan Sullivan join with other particpants at the Good Friday Vigil.