150 SW 13th Avenue, Miami, FL  33135
Phone  (786) 264-1708; Fax  (786) 264-1859
Immigration
Clergy Statement on
Immigration and Work:
No Human Being is Illegal

In South Florida, our neighbors are very likely of
diverse races, countries of origin, language
groups and cultures.  We depend on our
immigrant neighbors who work the farm land and
perform a wide range of service work for our
comfort and convenience in condominium
complexes, retail stores and supermarkets,
hospitals and nursing homes, and in countless
other places.  Our community needs to reflect on
how we, each of us, support our neighbors. One
way is to enact comprehensive immigration
reform legislation that establishes a safe and
humane immigration system consistent with our
values. However, a change in law will not by itself
produce a brighter future.  We need to value the
immigrant working family as we value life itself.  
More
SFIWJ Attends Big City Police Chief Press Conference in Coral Gables, FL

Big city police chiefs from across the country held a press conference in Coral Gables on
July 1, 2009 to discuss the problems police are encountering with our current immigration
policies. SFIWJ was represented at this event by both a staff member and two interns. The
members of the discussion panel included Chief John Timoney of the Miami City Police;
Chief Art Acevedo of Austin, Texas; former Chief Art Venegas of Sacramento, California; and
others.

Chief Acevedo, who is also the head of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, spoke
for the majority of the conference. Acevedo encourages an environment in which
immigrants are no longer afraid to come to police after a crime has occurred. He said that it
is not in the best interest of public safety to keep the 10-15 million currently undocumented
immigrants residing in the United States living in fear, because “a person who is victimizing
an illegal immigrant today will victimize a legal citizen tomorrow.” Further, he emphasized
that undocumented individuals who witness crimes might be hesitant to step forward in the
current climate. Acevedo closed with the conviction that it is his priority as a member of the
police force to deal with penal rather than civil matters. He does not believe that local police
forces should be taxed with enforcing complicated immigration regulations. Their primary
responsibility is to maintain public safety. Chief Timoney, in agreement with Acevedo,
commented that he does not want to see the day when someone is murdered because
police were otherwise occupied in enforcing civil laws on behalf of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement.

All of the police chiefs agreed, both from their own experience and from studies, that illegal
immigrants are not engaged in criminal activity any more often than legal citizens and, in
fact, Acevedo said that statistics have shown that immigrants commit less crime than United
States’ citizens. According to former Chief Venegas, immigrants and police are on the same
page when it comes to crime; immigrants want police to enforce criminal laws and believe
that those who violate those laws should be penalized. Thus, according to the police chiefs
present who represent large cities across the country, immigrants can help to secure the
safety of our country.
"When strangers sojourn with you in your land, you shall not do them
wrong.  The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you
as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself;
for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" [Leviticus 19:33-34]
"Breaking the Silence" -
Public Forum on the
Situation Faced by
Immigrants

November 21, 2009 -  Saturday night
was truly heartbreaking as immigrant
members of the South Florida
community shared their testimonies
with a panel of community leaders at a
forum co-sponsored by South Florida
Interfaith Worker Justice (SFIWJ) on
November 21st in Homestead.  Read
more.
Counties in South Florida have joined in
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE)'s "Secure Communities" program

ICE: "8 Florida counties join ICE Secure
Communities initiative to enhance identification
and removal of criminal aliens"

Report from WeCount! and Florida Immigrant
Coalition: "Immigrants, Police, and Community
Safety"

April 27, 2010 - Miami New Times
"Arizona-Style Immigration Rules Threatening In
Miami, Advocates Warn"