Join UUs to Bring Phoenix Sheriff Joe Arpaio to Justice!

Dear Immigration News Readers:

As you probably know, on July 29th, one year after the anti-immigrant law SB1070 took effect in Arizona, UUA President Peter Morales and Sal Reza of Puente Arizona, along with four others, went on trial for blocking Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s jail.

On the same day President Morales sent out a message through the Standing on the Side of Love Campaign calling on Secretary Janet Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Attorney General Eric Holder at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately sever Sheriff Arpaio's access to immigration programs like 287(g) and Secure Communities, and for the DOJ to conclude its ongoing investigation into abuses by the Sheriff’s Office.

Please join President Morales and take action here to bring Sheriff Arpaio to justice!

• Read President Morales’ statement


• Read President Morales’ letter to Secretary Napolitano and Attorney General Holder


• Read the Washington Post article "Last group of protesters of immigration crackdown and Arizona law standing trial in Phoenix" (picked up by 150 other news outlets)
• Watch President Morales' interview on Democracy Now

Hold a DREAM Sabbath 2011 at your congregation this fall!

Sign up to participate in DREAM Sabbath 2011, September 16-October 9.

In December of 2010, we came just 5 votes short of passing the DREAM Act and ensuring that millions of immigrant children can stay in the United States, the place they call home. Faith communities around the country were deeply disappointed when the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the DREAM Act, but we have remained committed to the issue.

Now the DREAM Act is Gaining Momentum Again!

On June 28th, the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees, and Border Security held a hearing on the DREAM Act. The hearing was chaired by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), who has championed this legislation from the beginning. For the first time in years, public support for positive immigration reform surpassed opposition. In many ways, momentum is building!

To continue building support this year, diverse communities of faith around the country will participate in DREAM Sabbath 2011 from September 16th – October 9th. During DREAM Sabbath 2011, communities of faith will lift up the lives of DREAM students in their prayers, readings, reflection and education during at least one Sabbath service as a way to help educate and spread awareness of DREAM students and their hopes to attain full recognition of their contributions to our communities.

DREAM Sabbath resources

Sign up to participate in DREAM Sabbath 2011, September 16-October 9.

Thanks for all you do! Please keep sending us your stories and reports.

In faith,

Audra, Craig, Dan, Kat, Meredith, and Susan

See www.uua.org/immigration for resources and more!