Immigrant Justice at CDT
Background
As a community, CDT is committed to providing direct support to immigrants and refugees, showing up for actions that support immigrant justice, and advocating for legislation. In recent years the CDT joined other congregations to protect a family sequestered in sanctuary; sponsored a refugee family from Afghanistan; collected winter clothes, diapers, toiletries and other basic necessities for Haitian families; offered transportation to immigrant families; and tutored English as a second language. Most recently members supported a transitional housing project in Newton.
In addition to direct support for immigrants and refugees in the Boston area, CDT members advocate for the protection of this vulnerable community. Our work is conducted as a community as well as through individual efforts.
The Immigrant Justice Group shares information and collaborates with many local organizations including the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI), Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network (Bijan), Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA), and many, many others.
Get Involved
The Immigrant Justice Group meets monthly on Zoom the second Wednesday of the month. All CDT members are welcome. The Zoom link can be found on the CDT calendar.
In addition, the Immigrant Justice Group distributes information by listserv with a weekly announcement about events and actions in our area on behalf of the immigrant community as well as and distributing requests to respond to urgent needs. You can click here to subscribe to the listserv.
Information about an upcoming event or action related to immigrant justice is available through this Google doc and you can also add any upcoming events to the document. It will be included in a weekly distribution to subscribers of the immigrant justice listserv. There is a separate page with ongoing actions here. Of course, urgent actions can be posted directly to the immigrant justice listserv or to cdt-tikkun-olam@dorsheitzedek.groups.io if you are a subscriber to that list.
Resources
The Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN) has a number of ways to help immigrants. A description of the organization and ways to donate to their bond fund for immigrants in detention can be found at the link below along with ways to plug into volunteer opportunities including answering phone lines, court accompaniment, providing transportation, letter writing, and more.
Mira Coalition: The Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, along with its partner organizations across the Commonwealth is committed to serving as a strong, unifying force, connecting immigrants and refugees, service providers and a wide array of allies to fight together for a just and inclusive society. Links from this page will provide updates on federal policy.
UU Mass Action: UU Mass Action hopes to provide some starting points and resources for when congregations are faced with the question "What do we do now?" Because times will keep changing, we will continue to update the doc at the link below with the latest information and opportunities from our partners.
Immigrant Legal Resource Center: All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the US Constitution. The ILRC's red cards give examples of how people can exercise these rights. You can access red cards in multiple languages at the link above.
Know your Rights (KYR!) ⭐ Community Fight Back Tool Kit: Dozens of tools and resources for community members, families, organizers, and advocates to know and exercise our rights – and our power – under increasing anti-immigrant attacks. ¡Conozca Sus Derechos!
LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts: This is a coalition of immigrant-led, grassroots organizations who build people power for everyone across Massachusetts. Report ICE sightings to the LUCE hotline, join the hotline staff, or join the ICE watch!
Contact
For more information, contact the Immigrant Justice Group.