Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a sweeping immigration bill that promises a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, significantly reworks the legal immigration system, and also provides billions of dollars for border reinforcement. While this victory is exciting and the closest we’ve come to an immigration reform bill in 30 years, the next battle is in the GOP-controlled house.

To prepare for this upcoming battle, Long Island Jobs with Justice will be hosting a Good Samaritan Week of Action from July 3^rd-July 14^th. We are calling for “Stop the Deportations” Vigils, prayers for immigration, and even sermons on immigration reform. All of the resources you need to make this happen can be found on the resources section of our website online here.

Our first vigil will be at the Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Roman Catholic Church in Wyandanch on Thursday, July 3^rd at 6:30PM. Please mark your calendars, and continue collecting letters urging your congressional leaders to support immigration reform.

The tide is turning on immigration reform.  The Senate bill continues to move forward. Recent polls show 70% of Americans and 80% of Long Islanders supporting the bill. But we anticipate tough opposition in the weeks ahead, especially in the House.  This is why we are asking people of faith and all people of good will on Long Island  to join us in one or more “Good Samaritan actions to support immigration reform” between now and July 14^th.

The Good Samaritan Bible story of the “outsider,” a despised Samaritan, who helped a Jewish victim when his own people passed him by, is well known to all.  On the weekend of July 13-14^th, the Gospel of the Good Samaritan will be featured in the Common Lectionary used by many Christian denominations – both Protestant and Catholic.  The weekend before Americans celebrate Independence Day, filled with symbolism of how we are “a nation of immigrants.”

Given what will surely be powerful opposition to the Senate bill, we need your help. In the days leading up to Good Samaritan Sunday, please join us in one or more of these actions to support immigrants:

• On Tuesday, June 25^th, be part of a national call-in to support the Senate immigration bill by calling Senator Schumer:  202-224-6542;  Senator Gillibrand 202-224-4451 with this message: “As a person of faith, I urge you to support comprehensive immigration reform–one that ensures family unity, provides a path to citizenship, and maintains a secure border.” 
• Sometime between July 3^rd and July 14^th, schedule a “Stop the Deportations” vigil at your congregation.  This event takes only about 20 minutes.  To access a detailed guide on how to hold the vigil, go to [put link here].  Our goal is to stop the deportation of all non-criminal immigrants while Congress is trying to fix our broken immigration laws.
• Insert a prayer for immigrants into your congregation’s service on either Independence Day weekend or the weekend of July 12th-14^th. To access a sample prayer, go to our resources section on our website.
• If you are a member of a Christian congregation, ask your clergy to preach on the weekend of July 12^th-14^th the excellent “Good Samaritan Sermon to Support Immigrants” prepared by the Reverend Tom Goodhue, Executive Director of the Long Island Council of Churches.
•  If you have not already done so, collect our interfaith letter of just immigration principles addressed to your member of Congress sometime between now and July 14^th.  We plan to meet with Congressman King in late July to present him with what are already 1,000 of these letters that have been collected.  You can do the same for your member of Congress.

All of these materials can be found on the resources section of our website.

Today’s Walmart Rally has been postponed due to rain. Stay tuned for a reschedule date next week!