Kids on the Border Faith Response & Action December 2014 Diane Herr UCC IL Conference Immigration Task Force

Outline Facts and Figures ◦ How many are coming? ◦ How old are they? ◦ Where are they coming from? ◦ What about the girls? ◦ How do they get here? ◦ Why do they come here? How is the US government treating them? Legal issues at the border Faith groups respond What can you do?

UNHCR International Humanitarian Crisis Children fleeing El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras for other countries Some need international protection due to their lack of safety or security and their inability to receive State protection in their countries of origin.

How many are coming? 68,000 arrived from 10/2013 –10/2014 More continue to arrive Fleeing into California, Arizona, Texas Also fleeing to Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Belize, Mexico – safer places (2012 asylum applications up 435%) Additional kids coming from China and some war torn African counties

Where are they coming from?

How old are they?

How do they get here – La Bestia Train of Death

How do they get here – Walk over the border

What about the girls?

Why do they come? From most murderous environments on earth Girls and women are raped as control Militarized gangs control vast areas Extreme poverty due to food prices and loss of communal farming Trafficking Threats on their lives Domestic violence Reunite with their families

Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2008 The TVPRA increased the U.S. Government’s efforts to protect trafficked foreign national victims including, but not limited to: Victims of trafficking, many of whom were previously ineligible for government assistance, were provided assistance; and A non-immigrant status for victims of trafficking if they cooperated in the investigation and prosecution of traffickers (T-Visas, as well as providing other mechanisms to ensure the continued presence of victims to assist in such investigations and prosecutions)

How is the US government treating them? Detention Deportation Education - bilingual

Deportations x 438,000 in 2013

Flow of children has slowed 60% decrease since early summer Bad weather – heavy rain Media campaigns in home countries Increased security by Mexican border patrol on southern Mexico border and on route Treatment of central American children in US US efforts to pursue smuggling networks

Legal Issues at Border 1. Are these people migrants or refugees? The Refugee Act of 1980 defined refugee as a person unwilling or unable to return because of persecution or a well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. A refugee is processed outside the USA and enters with refugee status. (e.g. Communist countries) An asylee arrives in the USA and makes a claim for asylum in the USA and applies for refugee status here.

Legal Issues at the Border 2. Credible fear interview --- Rocket Docket Artesia, NM detention center (400) Karnes County, TX Dilley, TX 2400 private prison scheduled to be opened in March 2015! $266 per person per day / alternative detention $0.70 to $17.00 per day

Legal Issues 3. Detained or eligible for bond a Immigration bonds, unlike criminal bonds are dollar for dollar not 10%. b Persons under the age of 18 are not subject to bonds. c Possibilities: Release on own recognizance (OR), minimum $1500, no maximum d Flight risk, roots in the community, family relationships, ability to pay, prior immigration history, criminal history, possibility of relief—asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (self-petition), T or U visa status based on experience as a victim of a qualifying crime and cooperation with law enforcement. 4. Access to counsel -- In Immigration proceedings one may have an attorney but not at government expense.

Legal Issues 5. Bond reduction hearings Over Video Teleconferencing - Virginia, now Denver 6. Interviews / hearings on asylum claims before Immigration Service or Immigration Court 7. SIJS- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status- need state court (Juvenile or Probate court) declaration of dependency, then file I-360 self petition with USCIS to obtain LPR status. 8. T (trafficked) or U (crime victim) Visa application with law enforcement certification.

What can you do? Join Chicago Religious Leadership Network in providing pastoral support to immigrant children in Chicagoland shelters (Rev. Sara Wohlleb crln.org) Visit National Immigrant Justice Center to advocate for policy changes to provide humane deportation hearing schedules and legal representation for kids (immigrantjustice.org) Contact the UCC's Southwest Conference immigrant care coordinator to support refugee relief efforts (Rev. Tyler Connoley Speak out against building more private detention centers in the south Pray for the immigrants and policy makers.

Faith Groups Respond The Bible is unambiguous in its exhortations to care for orphans and to treat sojourners with dignity and respect

Discussion Questions 1. With the exception of Native Americans, everyone living in the United States is either an immigrant or is descended from immigrants. Where did your family come from? Did any of your ancestors (or did you) come as children? Were any of your immigrant ancestors (or were you, yourself) fleeing violence in their (or your) home country? How were your ancestors (or you) welcomed into America? 2. American cities (Escondido and Murrieta in California, Lawrenceville in Virginia) have refused to allow immigrant children to be housed in their communities. How would your neighbors respond to a proposal for placing immigrant children in a facility in your town? How would you respond? 3. What role can churches play in caring for unaccompanied minor migrants and refugees? 4. How does your faith inform your opinions about the plight of the children who are entering the United States from Mexico and Central America? What biblical passages inspire you? What hymns, liturgies, and traditions prompt you to respond?