Oct

13

ISAAC Updates – October 2011

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Facts on Deportation Relief Announcement

On August 18, 2011, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that it would begin reviewing all pending deportation cases and establish a new process and new guidelines for deportation. The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that the Government’s resources are used toward deporting individuals who committed serious crimes and not toward deporting individuals who are not a priority for deportation.  This announcement means certain hope for a large number of people, and they constitute a meaningful act of grace from the Federal Government.  ICE estimates the number of current cases to be reviewed at 3,000.  It has announced that it will also review future cases under these new guidelines.

As the Federal Government looks carefully into every case, certain factors will be taken in consideration, such as:

  • whether the case involves a child or someone who came as a child and completed high school in the US
  • how many years the person has been living in the US
  • whether the person is elderly or has close family members who are permanent residents or citizens
  • whether the person is the primary caretaker for an elderly person or someone in poor health
  • whether the person is pregnant, nursing, is ill or suffers from a disability
  • whether the person or a family member are in the military.

This new review process is by no means an amnesty or legalization program.  People whose deportation proceedings are closed will not receive a visa, a green card or any kind of new legal status.  Some may be eligible for work authorization and, thus, obtain a work permit, but this will not change their legal status in the US at all.

People who benefit from this new policy will not see their legal status changed once their case is closed.  In fact, they will continue to be in the same status they were before they were placed under deportation proceedings. They may be eligible for work authorization, but they cannot file for it until after their case is closed, and these work permits will be granted on a case-by-case basis.  ICE attorneys have already started reviewing cases, but there is no word from the Government as to how long it will take to review all of them or how soon cases will begin to be closed.

There is no application whatsoever that must be filled by individuals who are under deportation proceedings for their case to be reviewed. The Government will review all cases automatically.  If an undocumented immigrant is not currently in deportation proceedings but thinks he may benefit from these new guidelines, he may consult with a lawyer about the possibility of being put under removal proceedings.  Normally, there is no formal way to force ICE to put someone in this kind of situation.

The new process is unclear regarding individuals with no criminal background who have already been deported or have been issued voluntary departure orders and have not left.  It is thought that immigration attorneys may be able to reopen some of these cases, but the issue has not been addressed clearly by ICE.

The new policy will not remove barriers to obtaining a green card, such as being subject to the three and ten year bars on reentering the US as well as bars on adjusting status for individuals who entered the country without inspection.  

Oct

13

Public Policy Updates – October 2011

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Public policy Updates

Can Texas create better payday loan laws through “crowdsourcing?”

That’s the question being asked at the capitol in this interim period between legislative sessions. Sen. John Carona, chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce committee and one of the leading advocates for payday lending reform, is hoping that more input from the public can better inform lawmakers and create better laws. Chairman Carona made it known at the end of last session that the bills passed were not strong enough, and that the reform effort suffered because of the influence of high paid lobbyists. The Senator and his Business and Commerce Committee staff members are hoping to open up that process and allow for more direct public input via the web, including through social media. This unique effort was recently highlighted by a story and video from the Texas Tribune.

While the CLC continues to work directly with agency staff on the implementation of bills passed last session, we’re also preparing for next session by keeping in contact with key legislators during the interim. As plans for “crowdsourcing” become finalized, we’ll let you know when and how you can share stories of predatory lending in your community and church.

Environment and Energy E-News

The electricity market in Texas is complex and varied, but churches across the state are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of their utility bills on their budget. Currently, Austin Energy is going through a rate case, and Stephen Reeves testified in front of Austin Energy staff and the Electric Utility Council about the increases in electricity prices for houses of worship.  He highlighted the recent example of El Paso Electric instating a safety net for charitable organizations that met certain qualifications, which insured that their bills would not rise over a certain percentage as the calculation method of their bills changed.  The Christian Life Commission is encouraging Austin Energy to take a similar approach to protect charitable organizations that will experience large percentage increases as a result of the new rates. Because churches do not fit neatly into residential or commercial categories, as utilities in Texas change their pricing structure, we need to pay close attention as churches can be particularly vulnerable.

As churches struggle with extreme weather conditions and high energy bills, there are behavioral and technology changes that can be made to help mitigate against these higher bills.  One of the most costly expenditures for churches on their electric bills are related to the “demand charges” that are based on the most energy used a one specific time, often in a 15 minute interval.  Many congregations experience high demand charges due to the fact that their facilities go from OFF mode to ON mode all at one time, therefore needing an immense amount of power at one time.  One of the most practical and inexpensive tools to manage demand is a programmable thermostat, which allows your church to start the cooling or heating process at 2:00 am on Sunday, to be temperate for Sunday School, rather than when the staff arrives that morning. This way when the staff begins to arrive all of the lights, the air conditioning, etc isn’t being turned on right at the same time. Utilities are often willing to advise customers on electricity management if you reach out to them, and please contact mccall.johnson@texasbaptists.org if the CLC can be of any assistance to your congregation.

Oct

13

Substance Abuse Updates – October 2011

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Substance abuse updates

Adolescents experience stress and anxiety as their world changes.  Many times stress and anxiety can occur as responses to societal events like tornados, earthquakes or other news events.  However, in the world of the adolescent, stress and anxiety can become more personal as they deal with final exams, getting a job, friendships, changes at home etc.

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress.  All adolescents feel anxiety from time to time in dealing with their lives and responsibilities.  However, there is a point of concern when anxiety goes beyond the norm and becomes problematic.  Parents, teachers and youth ministers need to be aware and concerned when the following characteristics are observed in adolescents:

  1. The stressor occupies the majority of the adolescents thought process creating obsessive thoughts.
  2. The adolescent avoids and make decisions not to be involved in an activity that once was important to them.
  3. Physical characteristics like excessive sweating, racing heart rates, frequent urination, problems with breathing or feeling light-headed.
  4. The adolescent obsessively counts or holds to a routine.
  5. The adolescent avoids locations or activities that involve groups of people.  If you see your adolescent being unwilling to go to the mall, sport events or movies there is cause for concern.

If any of these behaviors become concerning then the adolescent needs to be evaluated by a physician for possible medication needs and talk with a therapist to work on some coping skills to deal with the anxiety.  Approximately 13 % of adolescents need to have some medication to deal with anxiety issues.  An adolescent, can overcome the anxiety through a team approach of support from parents, positive peer interaction, supportive church environment, possible medication and therapy if needed to learn some tools for stress and anxiety reduction.

Prevention Resources and Bible Studies are available for churches at the CLC website.

Dates To Remember
October 23:  Recovery Sunday
October 24-28:  Red Ribbon Week

Check out the Addiction Ministry Education Network page on Facebook.  Become a fan and you will receive updates about events and links to important news articles.

CLC Substance Abuse Ministry Podcasts

Pathways to Prevention:  A Substance Abuse Resource

www.hazelden.org

Oct

13

In the News – October 2011

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ABORTION

CHILDREN

CHURCH/STATE

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

EDUCATION

ENVIRONMENT

GAMBLING

HEALTH

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

HUNGER & POVERTY

IMMIGRATION

PAYDAY LENDING

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

VOTER ID

Oct

13

A Word from Suzii – October 2011

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Suzii Paynter, Director, CLC

Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP)

Today I depart for Africa in the company of five other US religious leaders and the capable staff of Bread for the World. We will be exploring programs of maternal and child health and hunger in Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. The Texas Baptist Hunger Offering has supported projects started by the Baptist Unions of these nations. These stalwart colleagues have been friends in Christlike compassion that we have known mostly through reports, emails and photos. By this time next week they will be friends with real live faces. The words of Jesus in the Gospel of John promising living water and lasting bread echo in the worship services of our African counterparts and are calling us to a special mission.

If there is one theme in the state of the world today, it is that we are connected. If your bank fails, my life rumbles. If my floods destroy, your food prices rise. If my debt escalates, your economy dips.  This is certainly true for powerful nations and the rising economies of the world, China, Brazil, India. Sometimes we fear we are just spectators for a tottering ride on the uncertain coattails of the fortunes of a few.

A part of our trip to Africa is to explore the many efforts to create healthy families – beginning with healthy moms and babies – by scaling up nutrition. A particular emphasis is developing agricultural potential. As soon as Mutharika, the President of Malawi became Chair of the African Union this year, he pledged more support for agriculture saying, “Africa must feed Africa.” There is great potential for food production in Africa. As quoted in Foreign Affairs (Nov 2010), “the scientific institutes that transformed Brazil’s savanna from idle bush land into verdant fields…are beginning to work in areas in Africa.” A fertile productive Africa is the hope of millions and support from the US is important.

A world where a billion people struggle with hunger is not a secure world. Over the last several years many countries have collaborated for basic agricultural growth in Africa through a multi donor trust fund, Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP).  The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a significant contributor, “Helping the poorest smallholder farmers grow more crops and get them to market is the world’s single most powerful lever for reducing hunger and poverty,” Gates said. Among these smallholder farmers are the mothers and grandmothers we will encounter on this trip.

So today I am up early and ready to go. I feel a little uncertain but trusting God; we are seeking hope and a harvest of life. Join me to pray and to put our faith in action.