The highest court in the land will rule on a case that calls President Obama’s 2014 executive actions on immigration into question. Here is some background and a summary of the issues it raises. On April 18, the Supreme Court heard arguments in United States v. Texas, a case originally brought by Texas and 25 other states against the federal government about the legality of President Obama’s November 2014 executive order offering temporary deportation relief to as many as 4.9 million of the … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2016
Praying Together at the KBI
At the Kino Border Initiative, prayers are offered in so many instances. Offered in gratitude or supplication, joy or sorrow, as expressions of solidarity with others in the comedor or loved ones far away, these invocations provide spiritual support and are a foundational part of the KBI’s message and mission. Each KBI board meeting opens with a prayer led by Father Sean. This one, in English and Spanish, is a testament to the value of compassion in this important border work. We share it … [Read more...]
A Fair Day in Court for Kids
For the many thousands of immigrant children seeking asylum in the U.S., access to legal counsel is not currently guaranteed. The result is that children—some as young as four or five—are expected to attend asylum court proceedings without the benefit of an attorney! To address this critical issue, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) have introduced the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2016. This legislation would ensure legal representation for children and other … [Read more...]
KBI May Announcements
As part of the KBI’s advocacy efforts, staff members travel to meetings, conferences and government offices to share information and ideas. And the 2015 Annual Report, outlining the work and successes of the past year, will be available this summer. Representing the KBI: Last month, Director of Education an Advocacy Joanna Williams participated in the quarterly Customs and Border Protection–NGO working group meeting held in McAllen, Texas. The two-and-a-half day gathering included tours of … [Read more...]
Immigration in the News
This month, we share news about the migrant experience and the immigration crisis from around the country and the world. There are encouraging stories, such as immigrant students seeking college educations and the sway of U.S. public opinion in favor of avenues to citizenship, as well as heartbreaking ones about family separation and the recent deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean. A couple highlight the work of the KBI. Please read on. From Human Rights Watch (4/25/16), an overview of … [Read more...]