Julio at a Children's Vigil

RESOURCES For Families Fighting Back:

* Factsheet on the CCPA
* Factsheet on CCPA (Espanol)
* Postcard to send to Congress
* Bill Text: CCPA (HR 182)

Most people assume that American children are considered before a mom or dad is taken away. But because of laws passed in 1996, deportation and detention are mandatory minimums for whole classes of families. On the same day as the massive 2006 protests in Los Angeles, FFF organized a Vigil for the rights of children in front of Federal Plaza. That day children of deportees and people facing deportation gave their own testimonies about the affects of deportation on their lives. We were joined by religious leaders and elected officials.

At a Bronx Town Hall Meeting, FFF member Julio Beltre stepped to the podium. Before families facing deportation, concerned citizens and leaders, and Congressman Jose Serrano, he recounted how Homeland Security took his father. Julio, his little sister and brothers are American citizens. They saw their daddy shackled and deported to the Dominican Republic.

In direct response to Julio’s story and the pleas of so many other constituents, Congressman Serrano introduced the Child Citizen Protection Act into the House of Representatives. Since this victory, other Congress members are pledging support and organizations around the country are teaming with us to focus on the rights of our American children in the immigration debate.

Joe & Mei, parents of US born children, now taking Sanctuary

Locally, FFF is building the campaign for the rights of our children through the New Sanctuary movement -- an interfaith, nationwide coalition of religious leaders providing spiritual and materials support to families suffering under a broken immigration system. Two of our families were the first in New York to seek sanctuary in May 2007.

We invite religious leaders, educators, and other respected voices to join the movement for deportation reform -- the crsuelist civil proceeding in America, and the flipside of legalization.