JUNE 20, 2018
In this issue...

Member of the Month: Ingrid from Centro de Apoyo

"As a resident of Delaware County, specifically of Upper Darby I have been able to see the needs of the community and most importantly the lack of support and information available to the immigrant community. Which is why I was motivated to join Centro de Apoyo Comunitario in 2006. I decided to get involved because I believe in the importance of the work and education the center provides to the immigrant community from the moment they arrive in our area. I currently serve as the Treasurer of the board of Centro and have always been involved with supporting Centro’s growth through volunteering my time during tax season, interpretation and translation, guiding community members to resources, coordinating events with members such as immigration sessions and legal clinics, social events to celebrate International Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas and many more. I believe that both of these aspects are key to empower members of the community so they can feel like they belong here."

Take Action: Stop Family Separation & Anti-Immigrant Bills

The past few weeks have been filled with heartbreaking images and stories from the border of children taken from their parents and families torn apart. This policy of separating families at the border is horrific. It is also an extension of both existing immigration policy and the clear anti-immigrant and anti-refugee agenda of this administration. Since 2014, the U.S. has been incarcerating families seeking asylum as a "deterrent" and holding parents and children in inhumane conditions. This administration has now expanded this practice to include further criminalizing parents seeking to protect their children from violence, and further traumatizing these families who are seeking safety and refuge.  

What Can You Do?

• Help #ShutDownBerks and #EndFamilyDetention in PA. Pennsylvania is home to the only publicly owned immigrant family detention center in the country. Shutting down the Berks Family Detention Center would show that Pennsylvania is willing to stand up against the Trump policy of family separation and family detention.
  • June #ShutDownBerks Call-In Day. Wed Jun 20, 9:00am - 5:00pm. More information on Facebook.
  • #ShutDown Berks Rally. Tue Jun 26, 12:15pm - 1:30pm. RSVP on Facebook.
• Demand Congress pass just and humane immigration policies. The House is set to vote on two separate immigration bills this week (likely this Thursday) – the Goodlatte bill and a Ryan “compromise” bill. Unfortunately, both bills are more about politics than addressing real issues, and instead of ending family separation or providing protection for undocumented young people, include provisions to fund a wall, turn away asylum seekers, and limit legal immigration. Call your Member of Congress today and tell them to vote NO on both bills.
• Support your local community organization. Across PA, community based organizations are working in immigrant and refugee communities to build safer communities, address the immediate needs of immigrants and refugees, and build collective strategies to fight back. They need your support to keep the doors open and do this critical work. Don't know what organizations are nearby? We think PICC members are a great place to start! 
• Save the Date: June 30 National Day of Action! On June 30, immigrant communities and allies will be gathering in Washington DC and communities across the country. In Pennsylvania, local groups are organizing events in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Doylestown, and more! Stay tuned for details on times & locations!

None of us can stop this president's extreme anti-immigrant agenda alone: next time you go to a march, bring a friend or co-worker with you; invite friends and family over for a party, and take 5 minutes to call your members of Congress; ask your congregation to support a local immigration legal fund.

Welcome Ky, our new civic engagement intern!

PICC is excited to introduce to our membership Ky Peterson, our summer Civic Engagement Intern. Ky is a rising junior at DePauw University. She is a double major in Peace and Conflict Studies and Anthropology, where her classes revolve around race, ethnicity, and conflict, and international policy and ethics. Ky has a deep passion for social justice, and works with her school to establish social justice and political mobilization on campus. By working at PICC, she hopes to make strides towards changing the United States immigration system. Her dream is to help pursue a fair and just society as an immigration lawyer.

Upcoming Events

Free Immigration Legal Screening / Clínica de Evaluación Legal de Inmigración Gratis

Wed Jun 20, 5:00pm

Get screened for possible immigration relief by immigration attorneys, accredited representatives, and trained volunteers. Evaluaciones legales para posibles alivios de inmigracion realizado por abogados de inmigracion, representantes acreditados y voluntarios capacitados. RSVP to/a: Ceiba 215-634-7245 174 Diamond St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Enforcement Resistance Regional Trainings

Harrisburg Training: June 23-24
Philadelphia Training: July 7-8

In response to increased immigration enforcement in Pennsylvania, PICC will be hosting a series of trainings on how to implement a coordinated community-based response to create safer communities and stop unjust deportations and detentions. Participants will learn about the “Community Resistance Zone” model, as implemented by Juntos in Philadelphia, and how to conduct strategic case-based campaigns that highlight injustices in the immigration system. This training will be interactive, allowing participants to practice new skills and plan how to begin a project in their local community. Participants are expected to attend both days. Please register today!

National Day of Action: Families Belong Together!

On June 30, immigrant communities and allies will be gathering in Washington DC and communities across the country. In Pennsylvania, local groups are organizing events in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Doylestown, and more! Stay tuned for details on times & locations!

Summer Youth Convening 2018

Fri Aug 17-19

We are excited to announce the Summer Immigrant & Refugee Youth Convening! This is a weekend dedicated to bringing together 30 immigrant youth that originate from different walks of life across PA. Read more information and register online!
¡Estamos emocionados de anunciar la Conferencia de Liderazgo de Jóvenes Inmigrantes y Refugiados! Este es un fin de semana dedicado a reunir a 30 jóvenes inmigrantes de distintas areas de Pennsylvania. Lea más información y regístrese por internet.

News from PICC Members & Partners

The Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (CAGP) seeks an experienced and compassionate Executive Director.

The Executive Director (ED) will be responsible for the successful leadership and management of the CAGP. The ED holds the overall strategic and operational responsibility for the CAGP: its staff, programs, and expansion. The ED encompasses and advances the vision of the CAGP organization. Other duties include: overseeing fundraising initiatives, human resource management, financial management, marketing, community outreach and cultural cultivation. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree (master's preferred) and at least 5 years of experience in a non-profit organization management/leadership. The ability to speak, read, and write Khmer is a plus. Read the full job description. The CAGP is committed to community and inclusivity. We encourage applications from all qualified persons. To apply, please submit cover letter and resume to Nak Chhoeung at nak@cagp.org.

Please Donate to PICC!

PICC depends upon your support. Please donate to PICC today to support our advocacy and organizing work to mobilize the immigrant vote, build immigrant leaders, campaign for pro-immigrant policies at the local, state and federal levels, and support the effective implementation of pro-immigrant public policies.