Immigration Court Watch program meeting
On September 25th over 40 people came together to learn and share about the Immigration Court Watch program, an evening co-sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy/Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants, and Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition.
Thanks were given to Sisters Pat Murphy and JoAnn Persch for providing supper and the Br. David Darst Center for hosting the event. The main presenter, Royal Berg, an experienced immigration lawyer, started a prayer vigil outside the Broadview Detention Center more than two years ago. The Sisters of Mercy expanded this and then organized a Court Watch at the Detained Immigration Court at 101 W. Congress Parkway . Royal Berg set the tone for the evening by stating that "the U.S. is at war with its immigrants. We are fighting ourselves." With a heart fixed on the immigrant and a mind for legal detail, Royal Berg explained many terms and concepts related to immigration law and how it is applied in the Court system. (For the 3 page handout of terms, contact Jenny Dale , jdale@chicagosanctuary.org)
Thanks were given to Sisters Pat Murphy and JoAnn Persch for providing supper and the Br. David Darst Center for hosting the event. The main presenter, Royal Berg, an experienced immigration lawyer, started a prayer vigil outside the Broadview Detention Center more than two years ago. The Sisters of Mercy expanded this and then organized a Court Watch at the Detained Immigration Court at 101 W. Congress Parkway . Royal Berg set the tone for the evening by stating that "the U.S. is at war with its immigrants. We are fighting ourselves." With a heart fixed on the immigrant and a mind for legal detail, Royal Berg explained many terms and concepts related to immigration law and how it is applied in the Court system. (For the 3 page handout of terms, contact Jenny Dale , jdale@chicagosanctuary.org)
Everyone's comments during the evening convinced me even more than I was after my many court watch experiences, how important it is to have visibility in the Courts. Listening to the judge explain detainees rights in understandable terms, being a witness to or hopefully a deterrent against the lack of respect shown for detainees as valuable human beings with rights, and being a supportive presence to the detainees' family members who often appear in Court, are more than reasons enough to keep me signing up for Court Watch duty. I share the feeling of others present that a periodic get together to share observations and give support, as well as to learn more about the system, such things as "forms of relief from removal", would be very beneficial in moving this very important project forward.
To sign up or obtain more information about this or other projects of CNSC, e-mail: jdale@chicagosanctuary.org
Mary Naftzger, Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition
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