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AEC Letter to the People of Arizona, Concerning Immigration Sweeps

Impelled by our faith and religious values, we respectfully urge Sheriff Arpaio to reconsider the wisdom and morality of the MCSO "crime sweeps." We call on the Sheriff to cease this excessive, wasteful, and divisive campaign.

Even if the Sheriff has legal authority to order these sweeps, we question his judgment in orchestrating them, the message that they send to our community, and the fear and anger that they generate in the targeted neighborhoods. These sweeps have evoked a "police state" atmosphere, involved detainment on the basis of a racial profile, and dehumanization of innocent people many of whom are legal residents of the United States.  They have also generated anger and anxiety in an ethnic community that comprises more than one third of the population of Maricopa County.  We are unconvinced that the law enforcement value of these sweeps outweighs the human rights and dignity of those who reside in the neighborhoods where they are carried out and the peace of our community.

We are also disturbed and surprised that there has not been more public outcry from non-Latinos about the Sheriff's conduct and the hateful and anti-immigrant rhetoric that it exacerbates. Regardless of one's position on the issue of immigration policy, we call upon those on both sides of the debate, especially other high profile figures in our community who influence public opinion to speak out against mean-spirited words and actions directed at the migrants and foreign-born residents among us.  We call upon the higher instincts and motivations of our community to see the human face of these children of God who are the targets of these sweeps.

Bishop Kirk Smith, Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Desert Southwest Conference, United Methodist Church
Bishop Steve Talmage, Grand Canyon Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Kenneth Moe, Executive Presbyter, Grand Canyon Presbytery, Presbyterian Church USA
Rev. Jan Olav Flaaten, Executive Director, Arizona Ecumenical Council
Rev. Lark J. Hapke, Southwest Conference, United Church of Christ
Rabbi Andrew Straus, Rabbis of Greater Phoenix
Rabbi Maynard Bell, american Jewish Committee, Arizona Chapter

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The Dream Act
 

DREAM ACT

What is the Dream Act?

The Dream Act is a proposal that has been discussed in Congress at least since 2001. It has been re-introduced every year but unfortunatelly has never made it for a full vote. Under the provisions of this bill, those immigrants who came to the United States as small children and are part of our communities are elegible for a temporary legal status under certain conditions. The students need to have been in the US  five years prior to the passage of the legislature and under the age of 16 at the time of entry. Upon completion of an associates degree or two years of military service, if the applicant demonstrates good moral character, he or she can apply for permanent residency.  This is the golden opportunity many students hope for.

Approximately 2.8 million students will graduate from United States High Schools this year. Some of them will go on to college, join the military, or take another path in life, eventually becoming active members of society, all equally American. However, in this sea of individuals, a group of approximately 60,000 will not have this opportunity, not because they lack motivation, but because of the status passed on to them by their parents. These often highly achieved individuals cannot attend college, enlist in the armed forces, or otherwise live a full life. Children that grew up on American soil, respect the laws of this country, and want nothing more than to be recognized for what they are, Americans, bear an inherited title of an “illegal immigrant”.

The DREAM Act is a bill introduced in the United States Senate in November of 2005 by Senator Richard Durbin that will solve this growing problem. Now boasting 20 cosponsors, this legislature is a carefully constructed document with strict requirements and eligibility limitations. Under the provisions of this bill, those who entered the United States five years prior to the passage of the legislature and were under the age of 16 at the time of entry are eligible for a six year conditional residency status upon completion of an associates degree or two years of military service. If the applicant demonstrates good moral character, at the end of the six year conditional residency, the applicant can apply for United States citizenship. This is the opportunity that eligible students hope for.

www.dreamactaz.org/

Also check out "Know Your Rights" brochures in English and Spanish at  www.dreamactaz.org/documents


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