St. Francis is a part of  The Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (WICIR) a local organization that is “motivated to action by the God-given rights of all people to live in a safe and just society regardless of documentation.”  Contacts are:  Laura Sanders,        (734-355-2707)  &  Margaret Harner        .   WICIR recommends their attorney Radovan Stipanovic, (734-327-9591).     Learn more about The Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (WICIR) and answer questions like:Who are we? What do we know?  What are we doing?   What do we want?   Who are the members of the coalition & what partnering organizations do they represent?

   St. Francis is proud to hold the honor of being named the "first congregation" to really partner with the Immigration Project's host congregation, The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Ypsilanti. In June 2009 a Special Collection at St. Francis was taken up for our Immigration Project to help Immigrant Families.   Our St. Francis Parish Peace & Jusitce Committee - Immigration Subcommittee leads our community to act projects to bring Justice for Immigrants.  Checks may be made out to “St. Francis Parish”, with “Immigration Project” on the memo line.    All funds go directly to help immigrant families.  Thank you!  Questions, contact:  Scott Wright (734-821-2121) 

For other details  click here ... immigration-project.htm  or see below here.
For additional true testimonies click here for the FORUM article. 

       As of June 2011, there have been 266 calls since the inception of WICIR in March of 2008.     -- 75% or 200 of these were actual raids detainments and/or deportations by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in Washtenaw County.   Most of these raids targeted Latinos.      -- 34% or 90 cases involved children being separated from their parents.   Seven children have been placed in foster care.

Who are we?

The Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (WICIR) is an ever-expanding organization of morally conscious people, who are members of numerous community groups and faith-based organizations.  We are diverse in race and ethnicity, national origin, language, gender, age, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socio economic class status, and immigration status. We work together in coalition because we understand that the oppression of one group of people endorses the oppression of any group of people, at anytime. 

Our immigrant population in Washtenaw County is currently being repeatedly raided by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and by local police and law enforcement departments. We believe these raids are morally unjust and a clear violation of human rights. We are deeply disturbed by these atrocities happening in our community and will respond publicly and passionately.  We are motivated to action by the God-given rights of all people to live in a safe and just society regardless of documentation. 
 
 

What do we know?

·        We know of 43 instances of raids, primarily targeted against the Latino community, in the past 14 months, affecting hundreds of individuals who and families. Three children have been put in foster care, and at least 17 other cases involve children being separated from their parents.

·        Raids have primarily taken place in people’s private residences at all hours of the day and night, often in the wee hours of the morning. They have also included racial profiling in automobiles and detaining drivers who do not show evidence of documentation. While most raids have targeted the Latino community, they have included nationals from other countries and one U.S. citizen.  Raids have been assisted by local police departments from Pittsfield Township and Ann Arbor City, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff Dept. and the Michigan State Police.

·        ICE officials and other police have unlawfully and aggressively entered private residences without legal warrants, tricked residents into opening their doors, used violence and threats in detaining people including beating them down to the ground, hand-cuffing and pointing guns at them, terrorized young children by attacking their parents in front of them, separated families, yelled at and verbally abused people, stolen identification, ransacked and damaged peoples' property, and used excessive intimidation.  In one instance we witnessed the blood left on the floor after a detainment. Once detained, immigrants are transferred rapidly and frequently, cannot be found or contacted, are denied rights to clean clothing, money, healthcare, access to legal help, etc. 
 

What are we doing? 
We have formed five action groups in emergency response to these raids:
1.      A rapid and urgent response team to provide safety, advocacy and resources to raid victims and those who are threatened;
2.      A political action team that working toward fair immigration policy locally and nationally
3.      A legal team that provides assistance, advocacy and education;
4.      A community education team to raise awareness of immigrant rights issues;
5.      A funds development team to provide bond, legal assistance, resources and operations.

What do we want?
We want the cities and townships of Washtenaw County to:

·        Cease any cooperation with ICE of the city police department in family home and work-place intrusions.  Cease reporting people to immigration when there is no criminal violation.  Stop all racial profiling of immigrants.  Stop brutality toward detainees.  Cease detainment of immigrants in the absence of proper warrants.

·        In Ann Arbor, be aware of, and vigilantly enforce resolution (R-18-1-02), passed in 2003:  THE RESOLUTION TO PROTEST THE ERODING OF CIVIL LIBERTIES UNDER THE USA PATRIOT ACT (Public law 107-56) AND RELATED FEDERAL ORDER SINCE 9/11/01, and understand how this resolution is relevant to immigration issues;

·        Lead in the development of Safe City/County ordinances to protect the rights of immigrants regardless of documentation, and support Sanctuary Congregations to provide refuge and protection to immigrant families.

·        Reject immigration policies locally and federally that stress enforcement and that are based in fear and reaction to terrorism.

·        Support an economic analysis of the impact of immigrant labor, both documented and undocumented, on the Washtenaw County economy. 

*Those organizations that have taken action to officially endorse the Coalition.

"WICIR is so grateful to St. Francis for your generous donations.  This money has gone totally to families in need of legal and other assistance.   We really notice that St. Francis is a church that not only "talks the talk", but also really "walks the walk", taking financial responsibility to help out it's community and especially those that are the most vulnerable."

Please Donate: 
 Checks may be made out to “St. Francis Parish”, with “Immigration Project” on the memo line.    All funds go directly to help immigrant families.  Thank you!

For additional true testimonies see:

• WICIR.com
• the Front Page FORUM article 2008-11-30.