"Justice for Our Neighbors"
by Linda Bloom, United Methodist News Service (adapted)
Lilia Fernandez (standing center) at an immigration workshop, Wankesha, WI
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 affected both undocumented people in the United States and legal permanent residents. Since then, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has been inundated with pleas from pastors, churches, agencies, and concerned individuals who want to help immigrants and refugees obtain legal counsel in order to cope with the new law.
To provide this assistance, Lilia Fernandez, UMCOR's Executive Secretary for Refugee Ministries, had an idea. Using the "Just Neighbors" ministry in Virginia as a model, she decided that UMCOR could provide training to local churches that were willing to offer the space and the volunteers to hold legal clinics for immigrants and refugees. Called "Justice for Our Neighbors," the program includes on-site training, updates on immigration law and procedures, and ongoing assistance with mission education. The General Board of Global Ministries approved $200,000 this year to fund the legal staff that will offer training and follow-up services to the clinics. The church-based clinic sites thus far approved are in Decatur, Alabama; Frankfort, Indiana; Sioux City and Des Moines, Iowa; Forest, Mississippi; New York, New York (Brooklyn and Manhattan); Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas; Herndon and Roanoke, Virginia; and Waukesha, Wisconsin. UMCOR is searching for more attorney volunteers in these locations to supervise the local clinics. UMCOR also plans to add more sites next year. For information, contact Lilia Fernandez at 212-870-3805 or by e-mail at liliaf@gbgm-umc.org
