NEW YORK STATE INTERFAITH NETWORK FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contacts: Diane Steinman, steinmandiane@gmail.com; O: 718-544-7289; cell: 917-685-1381; Faiza Ali, alinfaiza@gmail.com, 718-724-3041; Josefa Castro, jcastro@ccbq.org; o: 718-726-9790, cell: 646- 299-1414; Minister Patricia Malcolm, 917-595-8908
New York City (Friday, April 5, 2013)
RELIGIOUS AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, IMMIGRANTS AND KEY IMMIGRANT ADVOCATE CALL FOR JUST AND HUMANE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
Photo: left to right: Rabbi Michael Feinberg – Greater NY Labor-Religion, Faiza Ali – Arab American Association of NY, Minister Patricia Malcolm – Churches United to Save and Heal, Mohan Ramaswamy – Hindu Temple Society of North America, Rev. Donna Schaper – Judson Memorial Church, Fr. John Duffell – Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Balbir Singh – The Sikh Coalition, Annie Rawlings – The Interfaith Center of New York, Rev. T.K. Nakagaki – NY Buddhist Council, Imam Talib ‘Abdur-Rashid, Mosque of the Islamic Brotherhood
As the Senate “Gang of 8” completes its work on a Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill (CIR) and Congress prepares to debate its provisions, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Catholic Charities of NY; Pastor Gilford Monrose, Vice President of CUSH; Imam Talib Abdur Rashid, Mosque of the Islamic Brotherhood; Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Greater NY Labor-Religion Coalition, and other key leaders of New York’s diverse faith communities, joined by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Congressman Charles Rangel and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez; Chung-Wha Hong of the New York Immigration Coalition; and young New York City immigrants, urged Congress to use moral values as its guidepost and enact CIR that is just and humane.
To meet this standard, CIR must enable undocumented immigrants to come out of the shadows through a clear and direct path to citizenship; end cruel and inhumane detentions and deportations; promote and preserve the unity of immigrant families; and protect immigrants’ due process rights and the rights of immigrant workers.
Immigrants and advocates will make this case in Washington on April 10th at a massive mobilization for citizenship that will begin with a faith community vigil. Over 2000 New Yorkers from across the spectrum of our communities will participate, lifting their voices on behalf of just and humane CIR.
Below are statements by the faith community speakers, Congressional leaders and Chung-Wha Hong, followed by statements by other faith community participants.
“New York faith community leaders across the religious spectrum – Buddhist, Catholic, Evangelical, Hindu, Jewish, Mainline Protestant, Muslim, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Sikh – are speaking with one voice to Congress: meet your moral obligation to immigrants and our nation,” said Dr. Diane Steinman, Director, NYS Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform.” Pass CIR that is just and humane”
“It is both overdue and heartening that the critical issue of immigration reform is moving to the top of Washington’s agenda,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. “Immigrants have not only helped build this nation, but so many of our vibrant institutions- including our parishes. Catholic Charities is both proud and privileged to be part of these new New Yorkers that contribute to the growth and well-being of this country, the one they call home. We welcome comprehensive reform that provides a path out of the shadows, strengthens and reunites families and provides for fair and humane legal immigration opportunities.”
According to Mt. Zion Church of God Pastor and CUSH Vice President Gilford T. Monrose, “Our parishioners face many challenges in the immigration system and this is not right. Immigrants are an integral part of the society and have contributed greatly to the cultural and economic fabric of the United States.”
“Immigration reform is a subject of vital importance to all Americans, regardless of their faith,” said Imam Talib Abdur Rashid of the Mosque of the Islamic Brotherhood.” The conditions that created the need for voluntary migration in the past still exist. Thus people of all faiths, including Muslims, have taken advantage of the opportunity to experience freedom and its possibilities, and make a viable contribution to American society. The immigration debate as it is currently being framed focuses upon those
people who are Spanish-speaking, but in fact those who would become Americans speak a variety of languages and practice a diversity of religions”.
Rabbi Michael Feinberg, Director of the Greater NY York Labor-Religion Coalition,
said, “The ethical mandate from Jewish tradition is clear: to protect and respect the immigrant (“the Stranger”) within our own community. In faithfulness to this commandment, and in mindfulness of our own history as migrants and exiles, we in the Jewish community commit ourselves to the establishment of a just and humane immigration policy in our nation.”
Interfaith Network Co-Chair Josefa Castro, Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, said, “The time has come for just and humane CIR that reflects our call to welcome the stranger and treat all human beings with respect and dignity. We must set a straightforward path to citizenship and family protection for the eleven million undocumented immigrants who live in our communities, work in our businesses and want to give back to the country they call home.”
Network Co-Chair Minister Patricia Malcolm of CUSH and Women Supporting Women said, “As people of faith, we have been called to protect the moral fabric of our society. Immigration is a moral issue. Thus, we have come from our diverse faith backgrounds to collectively advocate for those who are voiceless and underserved – those in need of CIR.”
“Since my election to Congress,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (Brooklyn), “I have worked to enact comprehensive immigration reform, based on our shared commitment to a civil society in which every person has an opportunity to fully integrate and contribute. I believe we have an opportunity in the 113th Congress to reform our system of immigration – to allow millions of people to pursue the American Dream.”
“Today’s event is another piece of evidence of the diverse and growing support behind fixing our nation’s broken immigration system,” said Rep. Joe Crowley (Queens, Bronx). “I thank the faith community for lending their voices in support of this critical issue. It is my hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will hear our voices, and those from around the country, and that they will recognize the need to enact comprehensive reform as soon as possible.”
Said Congressman Charles Rangel (Manhattan, Bronx) “As a nation of immigrants America has taken great pride in the strength of our diversity. At a time when some would have us fear our differences, we must keep working together to find a way toward comprehensive immigration reform. We must do what we’re doing now — bring religious and community leaders with elected officials in support of our immigrants. No matter how they got here, most immigrants came to America to seek a better future, a better education, a better life for their family and children. They too deserve a shot at achieving their versions of the American Dream.”
“Immigration is the social justice issue of our time” said Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens) “It is inspiring to see leaders from so many different faiths coalesce behind this important cause.”
Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said, “It’s no coincidence that leaders from across the full spectrum of faith communities are coming together to join the call for immigration reform now. It’s well past time we had an immigration system that respects human dignity and upholds our values as a nation; it’s a matter of economic necessity, and it’s also a matter of moral urgency.”
“We need immigration policies that uphold the dignity and rights of all persons” said Faiza N. Ali, Advocacy and Civic Engagement Coordinator at the Arab American Association of NY. “As people of faith and people of conscience, we call on Congress to push forward just and humane reform that creates a pathway to citizenship for 11 million
undocumented immigrants living in the shadows, keeps families together
and protects our rights.”
According to Annie Rawlings M.Div. of the Interfaith Center of New York, “In a prior era, people were separated and sent away wearing yellow stars and pink triangles. Today’s ongoing oppression and expulsion of people in our communities because of heir immigration status, while clearly not the same as the horrifying events we saw in World War II, certainly evokes the shadow of human willingness to visit upon certain “types” of people, certain “others,” enormous suffering and exploitation. I think We the People of The United States want to be better than that, and our elected officials should take all necessary steps to allow us to be a nation of hospitality and justice by passing
meaningful comprehensive immigration reform now.”
“We wait with baited breath for genuine and comprehensive immigration reform, one which creates a humane pathway to citizenship for the many already here and for the many who want to enter our great country, said Rev. Donna Schaper, Judson Memorial Church and New Sanctuary Coalition. “Minimally,” she added, “it is time to stop the legal confusion of the broken system so that people know what the rules really are.”
Rev Gary Wiley of Trinity Grace Church, said “Every person is made in the image of God. There is no greater impetus that calls all of us to achieve Comprehensive Immigration Reform now. It will be the shining accomplishment of our generation!”
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