SEPTEMBER 2017
In this issue...

PA is Ready! Launches Dreamers Initiative

Last week's announcement by AG Sessions ending Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) upended the lives of almost 800,000 DACA recipients and their families. For those young people whose DACA permit expires before March 5, 2018, there is a short window to submit their renewal applications and keep their work permits for another 2-years. Application renewals will be accepted until October 5, 2017, but for many young people, the $495 fee is overwhelming. In light of this announcement, PA is Ready! with the support of Philadelphia Councilperson Helen Gym and The Philadelphia Foundation, is launching the Dreamers Initiative, a short-term initiative to provide all eligible Pennsylvanians with assistance for the $495 DACA renewal fee.  All eligible DACA recipients should download and submit an application for assitance as soon as possible. PICC members and partners will be organizing regular information sessions and legal clinics to help DACA recipients assess their options, and help complete their renewal applications. A list of events across the state is available on PICC's website. For more information on the announcement, see our resource page.

Welcoming Week & Citizenship Day 2017

Welcoming Week brings together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone. This year’s Welcoming Week takes place September 15th - 25th, 2017.

Philadelphia Welcoming Week: Welcoming Week celebrates how Philadelphia is an open, friendly, and welcoming environment for immigrants, refugees, and people of all backgrounds. The activities and events provide U.S. and foreign-born residents an opportunity to explore other cultures — and to develop a deeper appreciation for one another. To see the full list of event details, visit: www.phila.gov/welcomingweek2017.

Welcoming Pittsburgh Citizenship Day: September 22
Are you a City of Pittsburgh resident interested in becoming a U.S. citizen? Attend this event to recieve free legal assistance, naturalization interview prep, and get connected to local service providers. Register Today! 
Do you want to help out by volunteering at the event? Please sign up now!

• Legal Service Provider Form: https://goo.gl/forms/Zjf6V92moTKYPsrJ3
• Volunteer Form: https://goo.gl/forms/WEK3XYIt9XjFuNHy2

AILA Citizenship Day: September 23
Legal Permanent Residents living in Pennsylvania who want to take the next step in their citizenship journey are invited to participate in Citizenship Day 2017. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (registration ends at 1:30 p.m.) Come receive FREE legal advice and assistance to take this next step towards U.S. citizenship and fill out naturalization application.

LOCATIONS:
Chester County: St. Rocco's Center Address: St. Rocco’s Catholic Church, 333 Sunny Dell Rd, Avondale PA 19311 ​
Delaware County: Multicultural Community Family Services Address: 7016 Terminal Square, Upper Darby, PA 19082 ​
Montgomery County: Trinity Lutheran Church Address: 1000 W. Main Street, Lansdale, PA 19446

No Appointment Required. Please bring supporting documents, application fee, and a completed Naturalization Information Form.. You will be screened for eligibility and applicants that require more intense counseling will be referred to a supporting organization. Languages: English, Spanish. All types of income-based Fee Waivers will be processed.

Become a Volunteer! We are also looking for volunteers to help screen applicants for citizenship eligibility (no prior experience required) and law students, paralegals, and attorneys to provide legal assistance (no immigration law experience required). Our clinics and sessions are always supervised by authorized immigration providers who train volunteers and are present at all times. 

Member of the Month: Church World Service Lancaster

Church World Service Lancaster has a mandate to improve lives for the most marginalized and vulnerable people in the world. We approach this as holistically as possible. CWS of Lancaster serves the refugee and immigrant communities of central Pennsylvania. With the help of local churches and volunteers, the CWS immigration and refugee office in Lancaster welcomes around 400 individuals each year to central Pennsylvania and aims to help the new arrivals adjust, become successful members of their local neighborhoods. We are a resettlement agency and we also offer legal immigration services and do advocacy. We decided to join PICC to be part of a network of organizations committed to promoting justice for immigrants in Pennsylvania. We can be stronger and more effective when we pull our expertise and resources together. We have benefitted from being members of PICC through PA is Ready! grants, advocacy toolkits, and building relationships with partners in Pennsylvania. Follow CWS Lancaster on Facebook  or donate.

New Citizens=New Voters Internship

This internship centers on non-partisan voter registration of new citizens and civic engagement of registered voters, as part of a long term strategy to increase electoral power in immigrant communities. 

As an intern, you will:

• Attend 2-4 daytime citizenship ceremonies per week (generally Mondays & Fridays)
• Review and process registration forms
• Work under the supervision of the Capacity Building Coordinator to support the voter engagement efforts of our partner organizations
• Assist with organizing voter mobilization activities (e.g. phone banks, canvassing)
• Provide support for special events and projects.

This internship is located in Center City, Philadelphia. If interested, please send your cover letter and resume to Carlos Gonzalez at carlosgonzalez@paimmigrant.org 

Upcoming Events

There are many upcoming events in next few weeks! Please see our website for a more complete list.

Sesion Informativa sobre DACA e Inmigracion 

Wed Sep 13, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Juntos, 600 Washington Ave. Philadelphia

Ven a informarte sobre la cancelacion de DACA y lo que significa para ti y tu familia. Tambien estaremos dando informacion sobre los nuevos ataques de inmigración. Mas información en Facebook.

DACA Information Session/Sesión Informative del DACA – Philadelphia

Thu Sep 14, 7:00pm
Aquinas Center,  Lower Hall. 1700 Fernon Street, Philadelphia

Community members are invited to join the Aquinas Center to learn more about DACA’s recent announcement. In this meeting, we will discuss DACA updates, renewals, Aquinas Center resources for renewal fees.

DACA KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, KNOW YOUR OPTIONS! – Allentown

Fri Sep 15, 7:00pm
Muhlenberg College Multicultural Center, 2252 Chew Street, Allentown. The MC Center is #76 on the campus map.

This Friday, 15 September, at 7 pm, Muhlenberg College, The Grupo de Apoyo, and Make the Road PA will be hosting a Know Your Rights session specially tailored for and targeted at college and high school students with DACA. The session is open to DACA recipients only; we plan a second session for allies in the near future. 

RSVPs/questions to Armando Jimenez, ajimenez@maketheroadaction.org

Community Navigator Modules 2 & 3: Know Your Rights & Deportation Defense

Sat Sep 16, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Catholic Charities of Harrisburg, 939 East Park Drive, Suite 102, Harrisburg

Modules 2 & 3 of our Community Navigator Training Series will cover Know Your Rights and Deportation Defense. Module 2 will explain and train participants on the rights noncitizens have when interacting with law enforcement officers. Module 3 will teach participants when and how to prepare Deportation Defense Packet with clients. Both modules will be facilitated by trainers from our partner organization Movement of Immigrant Leaders of PA (MILPA) in the facilities of Catholic Charities in Harrisburg, PA. Click here to register.

Free Legal Help for DACA Renewals – Allentown

Sun Sep 17, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Make the Road PA  115 N 8th St, Allentown

DACA issuances and work permits expiring between September 5th, 2017 and March 5th, 2018 must be submitted for renewal by Ocotber 5th, 2017. Come get assistance with your DACA renewal!

Cranberry Conozca Sus Derechos

Sun Sep 17, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Casa San Jose;  2535 Rochester Rd, Cranberry Twp

Venga para una presentacion sobre defensa de deprotation! Habra comida y la oportunidad para hacer preguntas a varios abogados de la comunidad! Comparte en Facebook.

Para mas informacion llame a Casa San Jose 412 343-3111.

News from PICC Members & Partners

Social Innovations to Address Immigrant Needs: How Social Sector Leaders in America's Cities Can Strengthen Immigrant Services and Policies Symposium

When: September 25, 2017 from 3:00 – 6:30 (including reception)
Where: Calvary Center for Culture & Community, 841 S. 48thStreet, Philadelphia

America’s cities have long been a gateway for immigrant arrivals, and urban areas continue to house the majority of the foreign-born in the United States. For years, the lack of comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level and inadequate, or in some cases, hostile policies toward immigrants by state governments, have left city governments and local nonprofits and community groups to shoulder much of the responsibility for addressing the needs of immigrant and refugee communities. At this time of heightened debate regarding the policy landscape and funding environment for immigration services and advocacy, this symposium examines successful and innovative models for delivering integration services to immigrant and refugee communities and promoting pro-immigrant policies at the municipal level and beyond. Register today!

All for All Summit

When: Wed, September 20, 2017, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Alphabet City, 40 West North Avenue, Pittsburgh
Registration is open until Friday, September 15, 2017 at 5PM. Reserve your spot today! 

The All for All Summit is a day-long, interactive gathering addressing challenges and opportunities to effectively engage the Pittsburgh region’s growing immigrant communities. Attendees will walk away able to identify how to play a more active role in immigrant integration, whether it’s in the workplace or community.

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.