Action alert lists

Sign up today to receive action alerts from the MCC Washington Office. 

Recent action alerts have included:

• a call to end housing injustice in Haiti,
• information about upcoming immigration calls to learn about the new deferred action process for DREAMers,
• a request that President Obama address current concerns related to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,
• and a call for support for a just farm bill to improve the ways we produce food, ensure access to food, and increase the amount of food aid purchased locally.

Another great way to connect with the MCC Washington Office's resources is to "like us" on Facebook.

Upcoming events

• An MCC Gun Violence Prevention Storytelling Tour will take place in Pennsylvania and Virginia between September 14 and October 1. The tour is part of the Fear Not campaign, focusing on violence in our communities.
• Registration is now open for Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2013. This annual gathering of people of faith will take place April 5-8, 2013 in Washington, DC. This year's theme is  "At God's table: Food justice for a healthy world." The theme verses will be Exodus 16:16-18 and Luke 14:12-24.

Policy updates

Relief for DREAMers: The new policy affecting "DREAMers," known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), went into effect on August 15. Some young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children may now apply for temporary relief from deportation and a work permit. This status may be renewed after two years. Visit our DREAM resource page for more information.

Iran sanctions: In early August Congress approved another set of sanctions against Iran. The law further tightens restrictions on Iran’s economy and reduces the president’s ability to waive sanctions. Rather than increasing sanctions that impact ordinary Iranians, Congress should support diplomatic negotiations to resolve concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.

Articles

Profit, loss and immigration detention - Kelly Roberts, Domestic Policy Intern

"While communities are shattered, families are torn apart, and prison companies profit from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants, taxpayers foot the bill–an estimated $166 per detainee per day, totaling more than $2 billion in 2011."

Swallowing our pride (health care)

Resources

• The summer immigration update is now available covering such topics as relief for DREAMers, Arizona SB1070 and the Supreme Court, state legislature updates, and toolkits on Secure Communities and detention visitation. The update is available in both Spanish and English.
• The MCC Washington Office is continually updating our website to provide current information and advocacy opportunities. Our global hunger, deferred action for DREAMers, health care, state immigration resources, and crime and justice pages have all been recently updated.