First Friends Applauds President Obama's Immigration Action!

FIRST FRIENDS OF NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK

Treating Immigrants with Dignity and Compassion

“Scripture tells us, we shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger -- we were strangers once, too. My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too.”

Last night was monumental for millions of families around United States and in New Jersey. President Obama kept his promise and provided hope in releasing his highly anticipated Executive Actions on immigration that will provide much needed, temporary relief for millions of families currently suffering under our broken immigration system. These significant changes include an expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), deportation relief for certain parents,  and an end to the highly-controversial Secure Communities program.

This set of crucial actions will allow millions to come out of the shadows and not live in devastating fear that they will be separated from their families by deportation.

However, with hope there is despair for 6 million people who do not qualify for reprieve under the President’s Executive Order. As such, we need to urge Congress to do their job and fix our nation’s broken immigration system.

We urge Congress to work together with the President to enact comprehensive immigration reform that includes welcoming refugees and asylum seekers arriving at our border seeking refuge and protection.

Please take a moment to use visit www.lirs.org and go to LIRS’s Action Center to urge your elected representatives to stand with the President in promoting family unity. Please also call the White House Comment Line at (202) 456-1111 to thank President Obama for standing firm in his commitment to family unity.

First Friends continues to provide wrap around case management services to asylum seekers upon release from detention. We continue to be challenged by housing which limits us getting more individuals out of detention. Please help us create houses of welcome and host an asylum seeker in your home.We need your help to provide winter coats, hat, gloves and a scarf to 5 men released. (3 large, 2 XL).

First Friends need volunteers to visit immigrants in detention. A special need for Spanish speakers and Bengali. Contact Rosa Santana at 908-965-0455 or visitation and firstfriendsnjny.org.