ADVOCACY
JUSTICE, PEACE, AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION (JPIC)

PROMOTING HUMAN DIGNITY

DEATH PENALTY PROTEST MARCH

On December 10, people from across North Carolina marched from Central Prison in Raleigh to the NC Governor’s Mansion to urge Governor Roy Cooper to commute the death sentences of the 135 people on North Carolina’s death row. Father Gonzalo, along with several parishioners, attended the march to tell Governor Cooper “No More Death Row!” #NoMoreDeathRow #DecarcerateNowNC Thanks to all our parishioners who embodied Catholic social teaching by helping to bring attention to this important movement. 

​CARE FOR CREATION

FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY

  • End new expansion of fossil fuel production in line with the best available science as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Environment Program.

  • Phase out existing production of fossil fuels in a manner that is fair and equitable, taking into account the respective dependency of countries on fossil fuels, and their capacity to transition.
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  • Invest in a transformational plan to ensure 100% access to renewable energy globally, support fossil fuel-dependent economies to diversify away from fossil fuels and enable people and communities across the globe to flourish through a global just transition.

CLIMATE SOLUTIONS

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CONTACT YOUR SENATORS
Urge your Senators to Pass Ambitious Climate Solutions. Please join Catholics across the country who are urging their senators to support $555 billion in climate solutions that lower national greenhouse gas emissions and help communities build resilience against the impacts of climate change.

​IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

IMMIGRATION ADVOCACY
FRANCISCAN ACTION NETWORK (FAN)

​On the same day Title 42 ended at the U.S. southern border, the release of the final version of a new rule went into effect. The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) released a statement in which Sr. Marie Lucey, the associate director of the Franciscan Action Network (FAN), is quoted saying “Overemphasis on deterrence and enforcement run counter to our belief that migrants are our sisters and brothers and to this country’s moral value of welcoming people fleeing violence, persecution, oppression, or extreme poverty for which this country bears no little responsibility.”
FAN has joined other Catholic organizations in opposition to the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2), which is an extreme anti-immigration bill that would fundamentally weaken our nation’s decades-long commitment to humanitarian protection if enacted. Please consider contacting your representative to let him/her know that you support meaningful access to humanitarian protection and respect for the God-given dignity of migrants. 

JUDICIAL DECISION ENDS TITLE 42 BORDER POLICY
FRANCISCAN ACTION NETWORK (FAN)

Last week, a U.S. District Court judge issued a decision ending the use of the Title 42 health policy to expel migrants rapidly at the U.S. border, deeming it a violation of U.S. asylum law with no basis in public health. While the ruling won't have an immediate impact, we welcome this news. Franciscan Action Network has joined many other faith communities across the nation in our steadfast commitment to welcoming migrants. 
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC), of which FAN is an active member, issued a statement. Sr. Marie Lucey is quoted, as saying, “Franciscans welcome this ruling and urge the Biden Administration and Congress to begin work immediately to restore asylum protections and create a safe, humane and workable system that acknowledges the dignity and rights of sisters and brothers who seek safety in this country from harmful situations in their home countries.” Read the whole statement here. ​

TAKE ACTION AGAINST FAMILY DETENTION

​The U.S. Administration is reportedly considering reinstating family detention as a strategy to deter migrants from seeking refuge. This practice has been proven inhumane, ineffective, and trauma-inducing for young children. Migrants seeking refuge deserve protection and opportunities.
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Take action today by sending a message to the Biden Administration opposing the implementation of family detention.

SUBMIT A COMMENT ON THE ASYLUM BAN

The Biden Administration proposed a new rule that will establish a near-total ban on access to asylum at the U.S. southern border. This new rule will require that people:
  1. Prove they applied for and were denied asylum in countries through which they traveled and 
  2. Have an appointment confirmed at a port of entry using the notoriously glitchy CBP One app.
This rule and other changes to the asylum system will have a discriminatory impact, favoring those with access to technology and wealthier immigrants who can access visas, have sponsors in the United States, and travel by plane. While announced as a two-year, temporary measure, this rule may cause the long-term erosion of the right to access asylum as we know it in the United States.

​If you would like to learn more, Church & Society of the United Methodist Church will host “In Defense of Asylum” on March 20 at 3 pm with impacted asylum seekers from the border. ​
Comments on the proposed rule made must be individualized in order to count. In other words, one should not copy and paste the same wording. Your submission does not have to be lengthy. It can be as brief as a few sentences about why you personally oppose the ban.
 
Click here to access talking points and resources we have gathered from immigration expert partners to help in composing a unique comment. Use this link to submit your comment. Comments are due by March 27.

LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS

The FRANCISCAN ACTION NETWORK (FAN) has asked us to remind our parishioners, as we prepare for a new Congress in early January, several efforts are underway to protect our immigrant sisters and brothers as well as those seeking asylum. Please take action where you can. 
  • DEMAND A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP: Contact your members of Congress via telephone or email and ask them to return to the negotiating table and pass legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants this year. 
  • REJECT EFFORTS TO EXTEND TITLE 42: Contact your members of Congress and urge them to reject any congressional efforts to extend or codify Title 42 or otherwise dismantle our asylum system.

INTERFAITH IMMIGRATION COALITION
VIGIL & LETTER

On Friday, December 9, at 4 pm, the Interfaith Immigration Coalition held a Prayer Vigil at the Terry Sanford Federal Building in Raleigh, NC, to encourage Senator Thom Tillis to support a pathway to citizenship during the “lame duck” session of Congress. Father Gonzalo, Father Jacek, along with several parishioners from Immaculate Conception Church joined the prayer vigil. We also want to thank all the members of our parish who have signed the letter to Senator Tillis showing their support and need to legally protect Dreamers, TPS holders, and migrant farmworkers. Thanks to everyone who helped bring attention to this important issue.
© 2022. All rights reserved.
​If you have questions regarding our various JPIC ministries, please contact me directly.
Kennith M. Chiha, Director of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church - 901-A West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-3449 Ext. 293 - chihak@icdurham.org
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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH   |  810 W CHAPEL HILL STREET, DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 27701  |  919-682-3449


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