Building Bridges Conference Recap
Jay and Liz Moser attended the Building Bridges conference on July 10th. This event was sponsored by the Immigrant Welcome Center. Topics explored were immigration policy changes, shared cultural awareness sessions focused on African, Burmese, Haitian, and Latin American communities, and discussion of practical strategies for starting accessible programs, supporting wellness across cultures, and advancing the role of faith-based organizations in the integration of newcomers.
The room was full of those serving and caring for our immigrant neighbors. There were many questions around keeping our immigrant neighbors safe. In these concerning times, it was suggested that if current programs are finding dwindling numbers that immigrants are staying away out of fear of ICE.
Our main take away was those serving the immigrant community expressed great concern that an interruption in their services would be very detrimental to the immigrant. And what to do to protect them.
A few takeaways:
- It was suggested services be delivered directly to the immigrant families and gathering in groups be avoided.
- Do not keep a list of contacts, but when you have a contact do check on individuals to see if they need groceries, errands or assistance with their children or elderly.
- Should ICE be encountered it is best to keep a respectable distance and ask where the person is being taken. Ask the person being detained for their full name, relative contact and film the encounter.
There was a panel of attorneys serving the immigration community that seemed willing to accept incoming inquiries for those in need of assistance.
Andriana Moore with Indiana Legal Services adriana.moore@ilsi.net
Chris Daley with ACLU Indiana cdaley@aclu-in.org
Haddy Rikabi with Catholic Charities Indianapolis hrikabi@archindy.org
Katherine Gordon NIJC kgordon@immigrantjustice.org
Submitted by Liz Moser