April 29, 2021

May marks the 4th anniversary of Lakeshore’s renewed commitment to be a Sanctuary Congregation. Below are a few opportunities to get involved in this work, through education, advocacy and direct support. Contact me if you’d like further info on any of these opportunities.

Justice Jam on Mass Migration: has anything really changed?
Wednesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Register here. You may also contact Pastor Allison for registration information.

Months into a new administration, there are still large numbers of migrants at the border and our government is still promoting family separation through allowing unaccompanied minors into the country yet not allowing their parents to come. Despite President Biden’s moratorium on deportations, ICE is still deporting significant numbers of immigrants – many to lands where they have spent little, if any, time. This justice jam will provide an update on what is happening at the border and to immigrants living in the U.S. We will discuss root causes of immigration, what has and has not changed with a new administration, and what we can do to welcome the stranger and love our immigrant neighbors.

VISION ACT – AB 937
On February 19, the VISION Act (Voiding Inequality and Seeking Inclusion for Our Im-migrant Neighbors), authored by Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, was introduced. This bill would end coordination between CDRC and ICE that results in direct transfers from those deemed eligible for release from prisons and jails into ICE detention centers. The current reality doubly punishes immigrants who have earned release back into their communities by sending them directly into ICE’s custody. Our friend Oscar was caught up in this injustice. Upon serving a two-month jail sentence, instead of be-ing released to his family, he was transferred directly to ICE detention where he remained for four years. He would likely still be in there if COVID conditions hadn’t swayed a judge to demand his release due to his medically vulnerable condition and if Lakeshore hadn’t opened our doors to provide him a place to be released to. Oscar’s story is one of countless individuals who have been caught up in these unfair and harsh conditions. Lakeshore has written a letter of support for the Vision Act, and we continue advocating for its passage.

Immigration Advocacy Day – virtual
Tuesday, May 25, via Zoom. Register here. You may also contact Pastor Allison for registration information.

Join Alice Butler and me in advocating for the VISION Act with State Senators and Assemblypersons on Tuesday, May 25. This event is organized by California Immigration Policy Center and training will be provided. Learn more and register here. You may also contact Pastor Allison for registration information.

Car Wash
Directly support an asylum seeker seeking work by signing up to get your car washed.

I hope you are able to represent Lakeshore at one or more of these events.

Peace,
Pastor Allison