Immigration Justice in Illinois
Some rare good news in the quest for compassionate immigration reform out here in Illinois:
Thanks to the unanimous passage of the Access to Religious Ministry Act in both state houses this past December, detained immigrants will now have the same access to clergy as those imprisoned for other crimes. Up until now, undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation in Illinois jails have been restricted to clergy visits of two hours or less per month.
In addition to representing a clear victory for freedom of religion, this new access will help us shine a brighter light on conditions in ICE detention facilities. The law is scheduled to go into effect in June and The Trib has just reported that volunteer lay-clergy training began yesterday in Chicago. Major kudos to bill-sponsor Sen. Iris Martinez and the inspirational, indefatigable Sisters of Mercy (above) who led the fight for the passage of the bill.
“undocumented immigrants “, My G-d! The brainwashing is self-imposed!
—formermuslim · February 18th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Good point, formermuslim.
—DK · February 18th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I could say the same for the term “illegal aliens”. Are you gonna sit there and provide potshots, or are you going to at LEAST go on a rant against Mexicans and Salvadorians?
—B.BarNavi · February 19th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
How about compassionate immigration into Israel? Surely there are hundreds of thousands of Jordanians and Syrians - among others - who would deeply appreciate the opportunity to settle there. We should encourage Israel to rethink its exclusive policies. The world needs bridges, not walls, and who better than Israel to demonstrate this to the rest of the planet?
—Larry · February 20th, 2009 at 8:59 am
B.BarNavi: Here is my rant against Mexicans and Salvadorians.
MS-13
Have a good day.
—formermuslim · February 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
[...] first noticed this–thanks to “formermuslim,” on Jewschool. Shalom Rav described illegal aliens as “undocumented immigrants.” “formermuslim” noted, “My G-d! The brainwashing is [...]
—Reconstructionists: No such thing as an “illegal” immigrant — The Kvetcher · March 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 pm