Esperanza: Consistent Call for Reform
Nearly 33 million (or one-tenth of our nation’s population) are now foreign born, with one-third arriving in the last decade (Carnegie Corporation of New York.) Of the almost 12 million unauthorized migrants (Pew Hispanic Center) living in this country, 78% come from Mexico and the rest of Latin America (Pew Hispanic Center, March 2005.) Hispanic church communities, many of which have a large population of immigrants, are especially affected. Legislation such as the HR Bill 4437 sought to criminalize those who provide assistance to immigrants and “send back” individuals to their countries of origin, destroying the fabric of these communities.
In response to this crisis, Esperanza began to mobilize our key churches across the country around issue of immigration and the need for comprehensive immigration reform in 2002 with Proyecto Ciudadanía, or The Citizenship Project. Esperanza engages political officials, motivates and equips clergy to advocate for reform and equip immigrants for change.
Since 2004, we have hosted an annual Capitol Hill day. An average of 250 Hispanic leaders meet with approximately 72 congressional leaders. We have hosted three immigration forums for Hispanic leaders, media representatives and clergy members, with a combined attendance of 175. Over 500 resource manuals and flyers produced by Esperanza were distributed during an immigration workshop at the 2008 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast to over 200 leaders, many of whom represent churches with over 2,000 members.
We work directly with the White House, the Democratic National Committee, and the Republican National Committee attempting to influence their policy positions. Esperanza’s President has testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the need for immigration reform. We influence political leaders and parties to pass better immigration laws. We also work with other national organizations like the National Council of La Raza, Immigration Legal Resource Center, National Immigration Forum, Focus on the Family, and America's Voice.
CLICK HERE to read Rev. Cortés’ July 5, 2006 testimony
before the Senate Judiciary Committee
CLICK HERE to read Rev. Cortés’ September 6, 2007 testimony
before the Senate Judiciary Committee
CLICK HERE to read Rev. Cortés’ May 22, 2007 testimony
before House Judiciary Sub-Committee on Immigration
We advocate for the following:
- safe and secure borders but that border security remain
a federal responsibility;
- to avoid criminalizing clergy for providing assistance
to their constituents;
- to remove unreasonable provisions from bills that affect
productive residents; and
- for comprehensive immigration reform that provides
a path to legalization and citizenship.
CLICK HERE to read Esperanza’s Principles for
Effective, Workable Immigration Reform Principles
CLICK HERE to read the full text of Esperanza's
Biblical Basis for Immigration Reform
Instead of being victims of negative impact, Esperanza proposes that Hispanic churches, the broader Hispanic community, non-profit leaders and corporate partners be the agents of positive impact.
Faith Leaders Unite
In March of 2009, Rev. Luis Cortés, Jr. of Esperanza, the Rev. Gabriel A. Salguero, of The Latino Leadership Circle and the Hispanic Leadership Program at Princeton Theological Seminary, the Rev. Wilfredo DeJesus of New Life Church in Chicago, the Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera of the The Latino Pastoral Action Center in Bronx, NY, the Rev. Joshua Rodriguez of The Cityline Church, Jersey City, NJ and Bishop Dr. Héctor L. Bonano of CONLICO in NY came together to draft a letter to President Obama congratulating him on his victory and reminding him of the urgent need for immigration reform.
“We are leaders serving a diverse spectrum of churches, we are united in the belief that every human being is created in the image of God. We take seriously the Gospel’s call to treat the foreigner with respect and compassion. Acting on this call means raising a public voice for immigration reform as a moral and spiritual issue.
We were encouraged by your campaign promise to act on immigration reform in the first year of your administration and we commit to working with you to achieve this goal. We urge an end to raids that divide and terrorize families and support a comprehensive reform that would prioritize family unity so husbands, wives, parents and children won’t be forced to wait years to reunite with their loved ones. We must effectively enforce our borders and restore the rule of law in this country, but we must also look with compassion upon the immigrants who are here.
We pray that your administration will work with Congress to take action on comprehensive immigration reform by Thanksgiving of 2009. As Americans we must not forget our history and values as a welcoming nation. It’s time for our country to come together so that all members of our society can share in the responsibility and the promise of making America the best it can be.”
To see the full letter and sign, please click the button below. This letter will be presented during our 2009 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference.
 Why Now?
Following the immigration policy debate and pro-immigration marches in 2007, many Latinos reported feeling more discriminated against, as well as more politically energized and unified, ready to influence the direction of reforms(Pew Hispanic Center, 2006.) While attempts to bring about comprehensive reform failed in 2008, the election of our 44th President revealed the critical role of the Latino vote, and a shifting tide in public favor for solutions that stretch beyond mere enforcement. If reform is not passed this year, it will be another three years before another viable opportunity for reform.
An estimated 2 million people connected to Esperanza’s affiliated churches will seek to be legalized and still others may need help with family-based and temporary worker programs that allow individuals to adjust their status over time. There will be an insufficient number of lawyers and legal organizations to assist people seeking to submit applications. The undocumented face complicated and outdated immigration laws that are difficult to understand, changing state laws, enhanced enforcement, criminalization and raids, and many live in blended families with varied immigration statuses. We must all educate ourselves and consider what role we can play in the response.
Esperanza held phone interviews with clergy from throughout the nation that confirmed the environment immigrants face daily:
- Complicated and outdated immigration laws that are difficult to understand;
- Many live in blended families – that is families whose members have different immigration statuses – some undocumented, some citizens, some legal permanent residents, all under one roof;
- A broken immigration system with enhanced enforcement and criminalizing immigration laws. Raids are more common and are displacing families throughout the nation;
- Some states and localities are trying to enforce immigration laws, or criminalizing immigrants by charging them with the violation of a state law, arresting them and setting the stage for their deportation.
Resources and Tools
Esperanza delivers e-blast messages to our national network of over 12,000 churches. We must be able to interpret the law and political process so there is an understanding of what it means for our families and communities. E-blasts will make you aware of events taking place in your area and provide you with pdf access to our own resources materials as they are developed.
CLICK HERE to receive e-blasts.
In 2009, Esperanza held focus groups with clergy leaders in 10 cities in 5 affected states to determine the impact of a changing political climate on their communities. Their feedback was the basis for a brochure to raise awareness about notarios and two resources- the “Survivor’s Guide for Immigrants” and the “Survivor’s Guide for Immigrants, Pastors Edition.” The guides offer practical responses to situations such as home raids or arrest, and how to protect ones’ children in the case of deportation.
To access copies of these guides, please CLICK HERE.
To learn the process of how a bill becomes a law, please CLICK HERE.
Looking to the Future
Esperanza will continue to forge partnerships with those working to advance reform. In addition, in 2009 Esperanza will open a legal services office in Philadelphia, accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals, to respond to the great demand for information and legal counsel for the undocumented in the Hispanic community. We will intensify our resource and information sharing via email during this time. Lastly, during the 2009 National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast & Conference, we will make Capitol Hill Visits to address our congressional leaders in person.
Uniting Families Campaign
On April 4, 2009, Esperanza will host the “Familias Unidas” (Uniting Families) immigration open community gathering here in Philadelphia. The event will seek to educate the community and encourage policy makers to advocate for legislation that promotes comprehensive immigration reform. Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), who has led immigration meetings around the country, will be in Philadelphia for his final stop of his Familias Unidas Campaign to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. Additionally, the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia will offer prayers for the undocumented and families affected by the current immigration laws will share. Details: Iglesia Internacional at 191W Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia from 1pm-4pm. READ MORE
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