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YOU’RE INVITED TO ATTEND ISAAC’S 2012 TRAINING SEMINARS AND SUMMER INSTITUTE

The Immigration Service and Aid Center is proud to announce its 2012 schedule of events.  If you and your church are sensing a call to minister to our immigrant population in Texas by offering legal services, the Spring and Fall seminars and our Summer Basic Immigration Law Institute are designed to provide all necessary training toward accreditation and recognition by the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Our cadre of speakers for all events will consist of immigration lawyers and BIA-accredited staff from federally recognized ministries from all across Texas.  Although ISAAC’s training events do not result in automatic accreditation and recognition, all interested individuals seeking both must have at least 40 hours of training in immigration law knowledge and procedure.

The kind of training that offers basic immigration law training this thorough and taught by a highly qualified faculty and at an affordable price is not offered very often either at the state or national level. ISAAC’s training will be all that and more: our seminars and Summer Institute include hands-on components so that all participants can gain valuable experience in filling out forms and preparing a BIA accreditation/recognition portfolio.

• The Spring Training Seminar will take place at North Dallas Family Church, located at Royal Haven Baptist Church in Dallas on April 27-28.
• Iglesia Bautista Houston, located in downtown Houston, will host the Fall Training Seminar on September 21-22.
• Our Basic Immigration Law Institute will by hosted by Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio on June 4-8.

You may register for all three events and save up to $100 if you pre-register.

View more information on our 2012 events.

Or contact:

Jesús Romero (210) 633-6257 or

Alicia Enríquez (214) 828-5192

The ISAAC Project hosted a training seminar on legal relief for vulnerable people in our society this past September.  The seminar was hosted by Iglesia Bautista Houston, in Houston, Texas.  Bianca Dueñas, an intern at the Christian Life Commission, attended the event and had this to say about her experience:

ISAAC Project Immigration Law Training Seminar

By: Bianca Dueñas

As a first time intern with Christian Life Commission, I had the privilege of attending the ISAAC Project –Immigration Law Training Seminar.  It is a training I highly recommend to anyone with a willing heart who desires to help brothers and sisters through immigration counseling and aid.

The seminar is well equipped with information and resources for one to be educated on issues that affect a vast majority of our Texas population. Topics covered range from: permanent resident cards, citizenship, adjustment of status, hope for refugees, hope for battered women under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and more.  I gained a lot of insight and I am hoping to continue to attend other trainings in order to be able to provide “good” help and not ill-founded knowledge.  Immigration laws are changing and reform is not at the door as of today, through ISAAC trainings, one can stay up to date with changes and provide well-informed aid that can change someone’s life.

The training provided by the ISAAC Seminar is one that everyone should take advantage of, especially churches and their members.  After the completion of required training hours, one can become accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and help individuals through a BIA recognized agency, which the church can become if desired.  ISAAC Project provides “assistance in obtaining immigration law training and in completing the ‘recognition’ and ‘accreditation’ process.

It is a blessing to be a blessing. Take a look at the ISAAC Project

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.  

ISAAC’S GUIDEBOOK FOR STARTING AN IMMIGRATION SERVICE MINISTRY: SECOND EDITION

The ISAAC Project is pleased to announce the second edition of our Guidebook for Starting an Immigration Service Ministry(pdf) .  The first edition was posted on our website in 2008, and although there have not been many changes in the process for recognition and accreditation, it was time for an updated version.

The main update has to do with Form EOIR-31, a federal two-page document that is required to start the application process.  The Executive Office for Immigration Review had modified this form since late 2009.  It consists of eight questions that have to be answered thoroughly by those churches and religious non-profits interested in starting immigration service ministries.  The 2011 edition of our guidebook includes a new section that provides guidance and much practical advice on every single one of those questions.

The guidebook also includes helpful links to facilitate the submission of accreditation/recognition materials and supporting documents to the Executive Office for Immigration Review, to the local Chief Counsel for Immigration Customs and Enforcement and the local USCIS District Director.  Other minor changes were made in order to make the guidebook a bit more reader-friendly.  We hope that the process will seem easier to those churches and religious non-profit organizations that wish to become federally accredited and recognized.

As the number of notarios and scammers continues to increase and many in the immigrant community continue to be preyed upon by them, this type of ministry is becoming imperative.  Being recognized and accredited by the Federal government allows churches to contribute to the well being of the immigrant community in at least two ways: by offering legal services in a safe and compassionate environment, and by educating both the immigrants and the general public about immigration law issues and developments. 

September 09 – 10, 2011| Houston, TX

Loving and Protecting the Least of These

This training seminar will consist of a variety of conferences that will offer information and answer questions about legal relief for certain vulnerable members of the immigrant community, such as abused/battered women, children, victims of crimes, victims of natural disasters and refugees. For those interested, the 8-hour seminar will count toward accreditation with the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Where
Iglesia Bautista Houston (Map)
5102 Texas St.
Houston, Texas 77011

When
Friday, September 9 & Saturday, September 10

Cost
$120, which includes conference materials and a catered lunch.

Groups
($120 1st person; $60 additional participants of same organization)

Registration
Click here to Register Online

IMMIGRATION LAW TRAINING SEMINAR IN HOUSTON

As previously announced, the ISAAC Project will host an immigration law training seminar this fall.  It will be hosted by Pastor Johnnie Musquiz and Iglesia Bautista Houston, on Friday, September 9 and Saturday September 10, 2011.

This is the event that was originally scheduled to be ISAAC’s Second Immigrant Outreach Conference.  The name has been changed in order to communicate more clearly this event’s objective.  Although ISAAC’s work in general is geared toward empowering Baptist churches to reach out and love the immigrant communities around them, this particular event is designed for those churches and individuals interested in credit hours toward federal accreditation to offer legal services to immigrants.

The seminar will center on issues of legal relief to the most vulnerable and helpless segments of society: women, children, victims of abuse, violence and crimes, victims of natural disasters and refugees.

Our roster of speakers features Houston immigration attorneys and BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) accredited representatives. Alfredo Valdez, a Houston immigration attorney, will speak on legal relief for abused women and children under the Violence Against Women Act.  Roberto Hinojosa, also a Houston immigration attorney, will speak on the cancellation of removal process for immigrants in deportation proceedings.

Maribel Ramirez, a paralegal and the owner of R.A.S.A. Business Center, “Servicios Para La Comunidad” in Houston, will offer a conference on the “nuts and bolts” of family petitions and citizenship. Viviana Triana, a certified counselor at the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children in Waco, Texas, will speak on legal relief for crime victims through U-visas.   Mark Heavener, Intercultural Ministries Specialist for Texas Baptists, will address the topic of legal relief for refugees and the Refugee Resettlement Process.

The cost of this two-day training event will be $120.  It includes training materials and a luncheon on Saturday.  A completion certificate will be issued to all who attend the entire seminar.  Preregistration will be required.  For questions, call Alicia Enriquez at 214-828-5192.

ISAAC’S SECOND IMMIGRANT OUTREACH CONFERENCE

The ISAAC Project is pleased to announce its Second Immigrant Outreach Conference.  It will take place in Houston, Texas on Friday, September 9 and Saturday September 10, 2011.  Pastor Johnnie Musquiz and Iglesia Bautista Houston will be our hosts.

The ISAAC Conference will have as its central theme issues of legal immigration relief to the most vulnerable and helpless sectors of society: women, children and victims of abuse, violence and crimes.

The roster of speakers will include immigration lawyers and federally accredited representatives of different non-profit agencies involved in loving, reaching and serving the immigrant community in Texas.

The topics covered will be:  family petitions, legal relief for women under the Violence Against Women Act, Temporary Protected Status, Cancellations of Removal, legal relief for minors under the Special Immigrant Juvenile provision, and “U” Visas for victims of crimes.

Details are being finalized for this conference.  There will be more information about registration fees and lodging in the weeks to come.

If you wish to know more details, contact
Email Jesús Romero,
or call 210-633-6257

NOTEWORTHY IMMIGRATION NEWS

The ISAAC Project offers here two relevant immigration news items, which were reported in the last couple of months.  The first article relates to Texas and the second article relates to the Arizona style Immigration laws.

SURGE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM INDIA IN SOUTH TEXAS

Thousands of immigrants from India have crossed into the United States illegally at the southern tip of Texas in 2010.  More than 1600 immigrants have been caught since the influx began early in 2010.  Nobody knows how many more were successfully smuggled into the country.

The sudden surge of illegal immigration has baffled Border officials in Texas.  It is not certain why these individuals are coming to the USA under these conditions, but it is clear that there is a smuggling pipeline that delivers large numbers of people to our doorstep.  The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI reported that there is no evidence to suggest that terrorists are using this smuggling pipeline for their own ends.

Most of these undocumented immigrants claim to be from the Punjab or Gujarat states.  They are Sikhs who claim to be facing religious persecution, or members of the Bharatiya Janata Party who claim to be targeted for violence by members of the National Congress Party.  However, human rights advocates and other migration analysts disagree.  According to them, political conditions alone do not explain this kind of mass migration.  Moreover, Sikhs have not been targets of any religious persecution since the 1980s.

This news was reported by the Los Angeles times in February.
Read the full article here…

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC DESTRUCTIVENESS OF ARIZONA-STYLE LAWS

Proponents of immigration laws such as Arizona’s SB 1070 claim that they are trying to save jobs and tax dollars of hard-working Americans, but a recent study of the Center for American Progress and the Immigration Policy Institute says that this claim has no credibility.
The report contemplates two different future scenarios in Arizona.  In the first one, proponents of SB 1070 get their wish and undocumented immigrants vanish from Arizona.  In the second scenario, these immigrants are offered a pathway to legal status.  The report finds that the first scenario ends up being an economic disaster for Arizona: deporting them would eliminate 581,000 jobs and reduce state-tax revenues by $4.2 billion.  On the other hand, providing an avenue for legal status for these unauthorized workers would create 261,000 jobs and increase tax revenues by $1.7 billion.
As the report explains,

“…undocumented immigrants don’t simply ‘fill’ jobs; they create jobs. Through the work they perform, the money they spend, and the taxes they pay, undocumented immigrants sustain the jobs of many other workers in the U.S. economy, immigrants and native-born alike. Were undocumented immigrants to suddenly vanish, the jobs of many Americans would vanish as well. In contrast, were undocumented immigrants to acquire legal status, their wages and productivity would increase, they would spend more in our economy and pay more in taxes, and new jobs would be created.”
Read the full report here…

THE IMPACT OF IMMIGRATION ON LOW-SKILLED AMERICAN WORKERS

In an effort to provide accurate, non-biased information on immigrants and immigration in the United States, the ISAAC Project presents a summary of a noteworthy study published by the Migration Policy Institute in January of this year. The study, Immigration Policy and Less-Skilled Workers in the United States: Reflections on Future Directions for Reform, tries to gauge the impact of immigration on the wages and prospects of employment of less-skilled Americans. It also offers practical suggestions for policy makers.

The author of this study claims that the impact of immigration on high-school dropouts and other less-educated groups is not as big as people might expect. In fact, “even the most negative estimates of the impact on similar US workers suggest that in the long run, immigration accounts for only a small share of the deterioration observed in less-skilled Americans’ labor market employment and earnings”.¹

There are a few factors that explain such a small impact:  In the first place, immigrants are also consumers of American goods and services.  Their consumption creates a demand for labor in the United States.  A second factor is that immigrants tend to work in jobs that require limited verbal skills (such as agriculture, landscaping and restaurants).  This makes them compete more with earlier groups of immigrants than with American-born workers.  A third factor relates to employers, who are less likely to substitute capital and/or technology when there is a large pool of less-skilled workers available due to immigration.

Whereas the costs of low-skilled migration on the native-born, less-educated population are modest, the benefits go directly to the employers of these immigrants due to the lower wages they are paid.  But there is another benefit to the economy as a whole derived from the lower prices of goods and services that result from those lower wages.

The economic picture is very complex and too many uncertainties remain, the study says.  This makes it almost impossible to define an optimal level of less-skilled immigration.  Economics, however, points to significant improvements that could be made to our immigration system.  Much of the currently illegal immigration could be channeled through legal routes if low-skilled workers are granted employment-based visas that allow them to switch employers and gain a path to citizenship.  There should also be more flexibility in the numbers of low-skilled workers allowed so that they respond more realistically to macroeconomic conditions and employer demand.

Immigration is a federal concern, but states and local communities feel the brunt of costs involved in it.  This makes it necessary for policies to allow for state-level variability so that, for instance, guest worker flows may be determined by state need rather than by federal unemployment rates.  Policies that will facilitate immigrant integration may also vary across states.  National immigration policies must be re-designed so that benefits and costs of immigration may be better distributed between the federal, state and local levels.

These findings are most welcome, especially at a time in our country when immigrants, and especially undocumented immigrants, continue to be used as scapegoats of our economic downturn.  Most of the immigration policies becoming law in more than a decade are harsh, punitive, and focus exclusively on increased border security and dealing out harsher penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers.  The data contained in this study help put the plight of immigrants in a proper macroeconomic perspective.  The complexities and many uncertainties of the economic map of our dynamic country should give us pause as we try to assess the repercussions of documented and undocumented immigration in a fair and honest way.

__________________________________________

¹ Holzer, Harry J.  Immigration Policy and Less-Skilled Workers in the United States at page 1. January 2011.  Found at http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/Holzer-January2011.pdf.

BUA hosts ISAAC Project conference on immigrant outreach training

By Linda Cross, BUA Communications

SAN ANTONIO–The Immigration Service And Aid Center Project at Baptist University of the Américas held its first-of-a-kind training conference Dec. 3, Strangers Among Us: Reaching, Loving and Serving the Immigrant Community.

“We thought it urgent for the first conference to focus on immigration law and churches,” said ISAAC Director Jesús Romero in his opening comments.  “Providing churches an overview of what they can legally do as they love immigrants in their communities is crucial in order to dispel some of the fear and confusion associated with doing any kind of service among the immigrant population.”

The day-long event attracted 65 participants from as far away as Florida and representing several Christian denominations, to the campus of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio. Presentations were in English with Spanish translation available.

Romero, chair of the Department of Modern Languages at BUA, presented the first session, “Loving the Immigrant: How Churches Can Establish Federally Recognized and Accredited Immigration Service Sites,” noting, “We must do everything in our power to educate and train people of faith about immigration issues. Churches and religious organizations need to be aware of the recognition and accreditation process available to them through the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) in order to offer legal immigration services”.

He presented a guide to establishing a ministry which facilitates the process of legal immigrants becoming citizens.  The step-by-step process grew out of his experience, with his wife Elsa, founding Baptist Immigration Services of Brownwood, a BIA-recognized and -accredited nonprofit agency that offers legal services to the immigrant community of Central Texas while he was on the faculty of Howard Payne University and pastor of Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer.

There were three other workshops.

Nationally recognized immigration attorney Joe De Mott of San Antonio, explained “Filing for American Citizenship: The Nuts and Bolts” of becoming a citizen. De Mott is a board-certified immigration and naturalization specialist and leading immigration and nationality law expert.

De Mott’s colleague Ruth Lozano McChesney spoke on “Petitioning for Ministers and Religious Workers,” explaining what churches need to know about obtaining visas for nonimmigrant religious workers who come into the United States as missionaries, ministers or educators. De Mott is founding partner and McChesney is managing partner of De Mott, McChesney, Curtright & Armendariz, LLP, Immigration Attorneys, of San Antonio.

Richard Muñoz, Founding Director of the ISAAC Project and Manager of International Operations Excellence for Buckner Children and Family Services, Inc., Dallas, Texas., concluded the conference with “Don’t Slip on the ICE: A Few Things a Church Should Know About Immigration Law.” He spoke to issues of hiring, employment practice and discrimination, as well as issues such as transporting, harboring, and “safe harbor” for religious workers.

“The ISAAC Project is delighted to offer conferences for churches and organizations in Texas and beyond who care deeply about loving the strangers in our midst,” concluded Romero. “Texas Baptists should be deeply involved in this kind of effort, especially in light of the possibility of comprehensive immigration reform. As many as eleven million undocumented immigrants may become eligible to adjust their status. Government offices will be overwhelmed. Baptists and other Protestant and Evangelical Christians can join World Relief and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., in establishing legal, low-fee agencies to minister to these immigrants. Local churches and organizations can be effective in their outreach to and service among immigrant communities.”

The next ISAAC Conference is being planned for late Spring 2011 in Houston, with a conference planned for San Antonio in Autumn 2011.

For additional information about the ISAAC Project, Board of Immigration Appeals recognition and accreditation for a ministry of your church or agency, or for information about upcoming immigration ministry events, contact Romero by email, jromero@bua.edu; by mail at 8019 S Pan Am Expressway, San Antonio, TX 78224, or by phone, 210-633-6257.

The ISAAC Project is a collaborative ministry between BUA and Texas Baptists’ Christian Life Commission. BUA is a nationally-accredited, historically Hispanic institution founded in 1947.

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