Compassionate Immigration Reform

Love has no borders, love keeps families together, love respects the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

This year, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform (CIR). As people of faith, we must raise our voices for an immigration reform bill that promotes justice and compassion, and keeps families together.Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your voice heard:

Meet with Your Representatives

In-district visits with your members of Congress are one of the most effective ways to ensure that your voice is heard in this debate. Join our group of faithful activists committed to ensuring that immigration reform is compassionate and keeps families together.

Never visited a member of Congress before? Don’t worry–we’ve got you covered! Here’s what you need to do:

• Contact your members’ district office to set up an appointment. To find your members’ local district office, visit the Senate website or the House of Representatives website.
• Click here to download our CIR talking points so that you will be prepared to talk about the bill.
• Check out these “Tips on Visiting Members of Congress” from the Unitarian Universalist Association and the neighbor-to-neighbor visit toolkit from the Interfaith Immigration Coalition to familiarize yourself with the nuts and bolts of advocacy visits.
• Don’t forget to let us know how it went by filling out our post-meeting survey and submitting photos!

Learn About the Bill

Take part in informational webinars on compassionate immigration reform and check out our talking points to learn more about the legislation and our advocacy strategy.

Amendments to the Senate Immigration Bill
Sponsored by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition
Download the presentation.

Immigration Reform Bill Analysis
Sponsored by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition
Download the presentation and audio file.

Compassionate Immigration Reform: An Update on the Status of CIR & Strategies
Sponsored by Standing on the Side of Love/Unitarian Universalist Association
View the recording and download resources.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Visits
Sponsored by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition
Download the presentation.

If you’re hungry for more information on the Senate bill that was introduced by the “Gang of Eight,” we recommend checking out the statements and analyses from some of our partners:

- Immigration Equality
- We Belong Together Coalition
- National Day Laborer Organizing Network
- American Friends Service Committee
- PICO National Network

Send a Message to Congress

Take five quick minutes to lift up your voice as a person of faith for immigration reform that keeps families together and treats all those who live here with dignity and respect.

Click here to tell your members of Congress that you support compassionate immigration reform.

Say “Not One More”

As the debate over immigration reform continues in Washington, so too do the deportations that rip families apart. In response, our partners at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) have launched #Not1More, a collaborative project to expose, confront, and overcome unjust immigration enforcement policies through organizing, art, legislation, and action.

Click here to add your voice and say #Not1More. 

Hold a Church Basement Hearing

As people of faith, we are shaped by stories–our personal stories, the stories of our neighbors, the stories of our communal life, and the stories of spirit. Church basement hearings provide us with the opportunity to tell stories, particularly stories about immigration, and to share them in a sacred space within the context of sacred relationships. By inviting decision-makers to be part of story-telling, we put a “face” on the issue of immigration. More importantly, we place them in the position of acknowledging that comprehensive immigration reform is about the lives of real people, not ideology and political parties. This toolkit from Gamaliel’s Dream for All campaign shows you how to gather partners, invite representatives, and organize a “Church Basement Hearing.”

Witness for Justice

Get together with allies in your community to hold a vigil or visibility event and raise your voices publicly for compassionate immigration reform. If you hold an advocacy meeting with your member of Congress, this is a great time to also witness outside your representative’s district office.

Here are some tips for a successful witness event:

• Bring your ‘Love’ gear (shirts, banners, placards) along with signs for Compassionate Immigration Reform.
• Let the media know that you are talking and praying with your members of Congress. Use our talking points and tailor our sample press release to your event. For more ideas, see the Interfaith Immigration Coalition Communication Toolkit.
• Songs, testimonials, and prayers will enliven your vigil. See Prayers for Immigrants and UU Worship Materials on Immigration.
• Ask other in your community to call your representatives while you are visiting or during the vigil to amplify your message.
• Let us know you did this (register your event) and send in your photos so that we can lift up your hard work!