SEPT 20, 2017
In this issue...

Dreamers Initiative: DACA renewal fee assistance!

Do you currently have DACA? Does it expire before March 5, 2018? Do you live in Pennsylvania? Through the Dreamers Initiative PA is Ready! will be providing assistance to young Pennsylvanians in renewing their DACA permits before the final deadline of Oct. 5, 2017. Applications will be processed on a first-come basis until all available funds are distributed. Download the application today!

Application Deadline: 5:00pm, September 25, 2017

Eligibility Criteria:

• Resident of Pennsylvania
• DACA permit expires before March 5, 2018
• Final renewal application is reviewed by an attorney or BIA/DOJ representative

Amount: $495 (check will be made out directly to US DHS)

Not a DACA recipient? Help us spread the word by sharing our Dreamers Initiative PSA on Facebook, and donate to the fund!

Responding to Trump's Agenda of Hate

Two weeks ago, the Trump Administration fulfilled its promise to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people and their families. This was not an isolated event. From the announcement of the Muslim Ban in January, to attempting to punish “Sanctuary Cities", to supporting the RAISE Act, to threatening Temporary Protected Status (TPS), this administration has made clear that it does not value or support immigrant and refugee communities. In the face of this coordinated attack on the very idea of immigration and welcoming newcomers, we must engage in a collective strategy that fights for everyone, regardless of how they came to this country or why. We must uphold the ideal that every person is worthy of respect and dignity.

What Can You Do Today?

• Call your member of Congress and Senator regularly and ask them to vote for a clean DREAM Act, uphold the renewal of TPS, support maintaining current refugee resettlement levels, and increasing oversight of ICE.  
• Call the White House and tell them you do not support the President’s executive actions banning Muslim refugees, targeting sanctuary cities, and increasing immigration enforcement. 
• Get involved with a local immigrant or refugee-led organization and support local campaigns.

Member of the Month: Carrie Carranza

Carrie is an immigration legal counselor and advocacy liaison for Church World Service-Lancaster. In addition to providing legal services, her work with CWS involves supporting immigrant-led grassroots advocacy efforts. In 2016, Carrie and Audrey Lopez co-founded inVISIBLE Americans, an advocacy campaign that tells the stories of local immigrants and refugees to put a human face on immigration. She also co-facilitates Lancaster Dreamers, a group of more than 20 undocumented youth, mostly from Lancaster, that meets once a month to support one another and take action for comprehensive immigration reform. Since the rescinding of DACA, Lancaster Dreamers has been very active, participating in rallies and other actions, speaking on panels, sharing their stories with local media, and writing Op-Eds to convince Congressman Lloyd Smucker to cosponsor a clean DREAM Act. All of these efforts have allowed the group to become cohesive, confident, and ready to spring into action to fight back against the threat this administration poses. Follow CWS Lancaster on Facebook or donate.

Upcoming Events

Please visit our website for more!

WE Lead Community Listening Session #2

Thu Sep 21, 6:00pm - 8:00p
1805 Tonapah St. Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Register here. 

PICC would like to invite members of the Pittsburgh immigrant community to join us for a listening session about what their needs are and how PICC can meet those needs through our new WE Lead program.

#StoptheHate Bi-Weekly Call

Fri Sep 22, 12:00pm

Join activists from around the state who are working to stop all anti-immigrant legislation in PA and to pass pro-immigrant policies at the municipal and state levels. Every call we will have an in-depth presentation on a different topic or campaign.

Registration is required to receive the video link and call-in information.

Navegadores Comunitarios Modulo 4: Herramienta de elegibilidad

Fri Sep 22, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Friends of Farmworkers

El cuarto modulo de nuestra serie de capacitacion para Navegadores Comunitarios explicara su responsabilidades como voluntarios durante clinicas de asesoria legales y les ensechara como usar la herramienta de eligibilidad para beneficios durante una clinica legal. Este taller se realizará en español. Las instrucciones sobre cómo participar en el taller se compartirán en el correo electrónico de confirmación una vez que se haya completado el registro. Haga click aqui para registrase.

PICC Updates This Month!

Harrisburg Know Your Rights Training

On Saturday, Sept. 16, over 30 community leaders from across the state gathered to learn about their rights when interacting with law enforcement officials and how to prepare in the event someone they know is deported. Leaders from the Movement of Immigrant Leaders of Pennsylvania (MILPA) facilitated the training alongside our PICC volunteer, Mark Lyons. We would like to thank Catholic Charities of Harrisburg for hosting the training. The trainings are part of our ongoing effort to build immigration leadership through our Community Navigator Training Series. Please reference our PICC calendar for upcoming training dates.

New Citizens = New Voters Intern

PICC is looking for interns! Join us and help ensure that New Americans are able to fully participate in civic life. Our 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. This internship is located in Center City, Philadelphia. If interested please send your cover letter and resume to Carlos Gonzalez at carlosgonzalez@paimmigrant.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.