tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85518840910831301452024-03-06T00:17:27.391-08:00Sojourners Immigration Detention Center Visitor ProgramComplexe Scholaire Mapassahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09896121593900753595noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-66105186997354643322016-06-24T07:53:00.000-07:002017-10-24T07:10:57.136-07:00Visitors Bring Moral Support to Detainees<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Sojourners Detention Visitor Program </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">recruits, trains, transports, and mentors volunteers to bring hope and encouragement to asylum seekers and other non-criminal non-citizens held in area detention centers, jails and prisons and to provide practical support and orientation post-release. We also seek to help these asylum seekers, once freed from detention, to find housing in New York.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<b>Upcoming Visitations to Elizabeth Detention Center:</b><br />
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<div style="background-color: white;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">October 28, 2017</span></b></div>
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<b>Car pools are available from Riverside Church (Claremont Avenue between 120-122nd Streets) and from near Port Authority, with space available on a first-come, first-served basis.</b><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><b>Contact Frances Connell - frances.connell (at) gmail.com - for more information.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">FEATURED ARTICLE: THE POST-RELEASE HOUSING CHALLENGE</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The background:</span> In 1996, Congress enacted sweeping legislation that made it harder for people fleeing persecution in their home countries to get asylum in the United States. It mandated that asylum seekers be apprehended upon entry to the U.S. and detained until a final decision was reached on their asylum claim.<br />
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However, in January 2010, the Department of Homeland Security said some asylum seekers could be paroled early from detention if their identity had been established, they were no security threat to the United States, they had a credible fear of persecution if they returned to their home country, and - this is where the Sojourners come in - they had a place to stay.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Why it's important to find housing so asylum seekers can leave detention:</span> It's far more difficult to pursue an asylum case while in detention. Asylum seekers have to line up to use the pay phones, and they can't leave voicemail messages or take incoming calls. There's no internet. There's also no privacy, since they're sharing a dorm with about 30 to 40 other people.<br />
<blockquote>
"We're looking for housing that won't re-imprison someone or go contrary to their dignity. We're not talking about criminals. We're talking about heroes. They've come through a process where they're afforded no privacy and are treated like criminals. We want something welcoming."<br />
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- Sojourner Carol F-M</blockquote>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The kinds of people the Sojourners have helped with housing:</span> A former head of a non-governmental organization, a doctor, journalists, interpreters, people who stood up to unjust regimes - in short, people who tried to make conditions better in their home country.<br />
<blockquote>
"We need your support. Because you know, living in the U.S. as an asylum seeker is very difficult. Very, very, very difficult. You are facing a lot of challenges in the U.S. You know, when one applies for asylum, one has to wait at least 150 days before being allowed to apply for work authorization. During that period of time, you cannot work legally, cannot do anything. It's a kind of persecution. It's very hard. During this period, we need your support."<br />
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- Asylum seeker helped by Sojourners</blockquote>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The length of time housing is needed:</span> At least a month, but more if possible. Persons granted asylum get work authorization at the same time, but it can take awhile to get a Social Security number and find a job. Asylum seekers released from detention face months' wait to get work authorization and often longer waits to get their asylum claim heard and decided. <br />
<blockquote>
"I heard about Sojourners through my local Amnesty International group. I told them I had a spare bedroom and could take somebody. A Sojourners leader came and interviewed me and looked at the room. She said (the asylum seeker) would be a good 'fit.' He's easy to live with. ... There is a real desperate need for housing. I'm sure a lot of people have extra rooms, but it takes an effort to make them realize it's possible."<br />
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- Retired teacher who welcomed an asylum seeker to his Manhattan apartment</blockquote>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Why city homeless shelters aren't good for asylum seekers:</span> Violence, overcrowding, the need to be out of the shelter at 6 a.m. Also, a person has no real say in which shelter they're placed. One asylum seeker who had been a victim in her home country was placed into a city shelter for the mentally ill. She left it quickly and refused to go back.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The future need for housing:</span> The number of asylum seekers turning to Sojourners for housing help is expected to grow, slowly.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">The chances that the people the Sojourners help will actually get asylum:</span> While the ultimate decision rests with the immigration judge, the Sojourners work with people whose cases have been taken up by pro bono lawyers. By and large, such lawyers take on people with solid asylum claims.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">What changes when a person gets asylum:</span> Asylees gets refugee benefits, including a small cash stipend and housing allowance and immediate work authorization. New asylees can be expected to start contributing something to the rent, maybe $50 at first, then more, because now they can work and make money.<br />
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Little by little, they can start building their new lives.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Can you help? If you or your organization is interested in providing free housing, please contact Sojourners c/o frances.connell (at) gmail.com. Thank you!</span>Complexe Scholaire Mapassahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09896121593900753595noreply@blogger.com0New York, NY, USA40.7127837 -74.00594130000001840.3275957 -74.651388300000022 41.0979717 -73.360494300000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-47942970617437113292010-07-01T00:04:00.000-07:002010-10-12T17:27:18.454-07:00Visitors Bring Human Touch to Detention Centers<a href="http://sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com/2009/07/building-support-network-minutes-and.html"><img style="WIDTH: 259px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489495165588794530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCzBFe-jfnuc-Ju2SxjXIJND0wga7ILGV2inCQyDnIpsWbtvJzIA_UQ7jUm6orO4M1gPAbKAJVIzxyefrBJIvwPaPRBCZ36I51m90BlHWgAsqkDoQgp2LFW52HVa1gxmrHIBRgyKxBWY/s320/Sojourners.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <div></div>Today my heart screams for hope…</span></span></span></span><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span">The hope of waking up one day free of bars and chains…</span> <div><div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The hope of living a life without these problems…</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The hope that one morning I will be able to smile again…</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The hope of dreaming of a peaceful future full of happiness…</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The hope of never again stumbling upon</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">an obstacle so difficult to overcome…</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The hope of waking up, only to find that everything</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">that has happened to me would only be a dream…</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This hope, like the word itself, is only a hope.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: normal" class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>A young Colombian woman detained at Elizabeth Detention Center and Hudson County Jail in New Jersey for more than a year wrote this reflection on hope in December 2007. She had escaped traumatic conflict and abuse in Colombia, and had hoped for the warm, open and secure welcome promised by the Statue of Liberty.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But when she asked for political asylum upon arrival in the United States, the reception was far from welcoming. She was arrested and imprisoned in a windowless converted warehouse. In January 2008, she was deported.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our experience visiting detained asylum seekers and other long-term detainees without friends or family nearby to visit them has opened our eyes to the suffering of these most vulnerable people held for months, sometimes years, in immigration detention centers and county jails across the United States.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For nearly 12 years, the Sojourners Immigration Detention Visitor Project, a social justice ministry of The Riverside Church in New York City, has recruited, trained and transported volunteers, matching them one-on-one with immigration detainees for a sustained supportive relationship. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Members of our volunteer corps—students, nurses, artists, business people, scientists and others—commit to visit at least twice a month. Transport is provided every Saturday morning and every other Tuesday evening from Manhattan to visit <a href="http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/elizabethdtnctr">Elizabeth Detention Center</a>, located on a dead-end street in a warehouse district near Newark Airport, and every other Wednesday morning to visit Hudson County Correctional Center, with 250 immigration detention beds.<p></p></span></span></span></div><div></div><div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">These visits bring us face to face with detainees’ stark daily reality. They are not criminals, but their possessions have been confiscated and they have been given prison uniforms and an alien number bracelet. They are forced to spend 22 to 23 hours every day in the same “dormitory” with toilets and showers open to public view. At Elizabeth Detention Center, their one hour of “outdoor” recreation is in a large room with a skylight.<p></p> </span></span></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></div></span><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Visitors seek to provide a compassionate face and an affirmation of humanity in the midst of a dehumanizing scenario. We don’t visit as social workers or lawyers, but simply as friends. We urge visitors to recognize their role as listeners, allowing the detainee to guide the conversation.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As a result of powerful reporting on deaths in detention by <em>The New York Times, The Washington Post</em> and CBS’s <em>60 Minutes</em>, and the release of the powerful film <em>The Visitor</em> by former Sojourners volunteer Tom McCarthy, there is potential for greater outcry against the U.S. detention of asylum seekers and other non-criminal non-citizens. As more Americans realize what goes on behind prison walls, we hope they will join us in urging the United States to seek alternatives to detention so that immigrants are only held in detention facilities as a last resort and jails are never used for this purpose.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In the meantime, we are committed to visiting the detained, and working with groups in cities near detention centers to begin their own visitation programs.</span></span></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-42114757604149154102010-01-14T19:56:00.000-08:002010-01-26T15:35:43.410-08:00The Sojourners Documentary<object width="500" height="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9000223&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9000223&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="400"></embed></object><p>The video file is large, so please be patient.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-56729829919698388572009-12-19T17:11:00.000-08:002010-10-12T16:20:56.081-07:00End of Asylum Detention?On December 16th, 2009, the Obama administration made an announcement that asylum seekers who have a credible fear of persecution in their home countries will no longer be detained. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton says beginning January 4, 2010, asylum seekers can temporarily enter the U.S. provided they meet certain criteria.<br /><br />Eliciting responses from the Human Rights community, the announcements are being praised as an important step, but many voice continued concern for more just reform. Human Rights First's Eleanor Acer comments, "[The parole guidelines are] a strong first step in addressing the flawed U.S. policies that have led to the extended detention of asylum seekers in the United States... [However], additional reforms are necessary to ensure that asylum seekers are not jailed for extended periods of time... The lack of prompt court review of their detention is inconsistent with this country's commitments under human rights conventions."<br /><br />See below links to the new parole guidelines documents, news on the announcement, a statement from Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, and the press release issued by Human Rights First in regards to the guidelines.<br /><br /><a href="http://drop.io/nia7sve">ICE Parole Documents (PDFs)</a><br /><a href="http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/factsheets/credible-fear.htm">ICE's fact sheet: Revised Parole Policy for Arriving Aliens with Credible Fear Claims (Dec 16, 2009)</a><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/16/us/politics/AP-US-Immigration-Asylum.html">AP: <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Feds Revising Asylum Detention Policies</span> (NYT, Dec 16, 2009)</a> <div><a href="http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=f35b300ec73d76f7ccc97e547a14056a">Obama Quietly Changes U.S. Immigration Policy (New America Media, Dec 28, 2009)</a><br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121558741">NPR interview with Doris Meissner -- <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Obama: The U.S. Will Be A Home To Refugees Fearing Persecution</span> (Dec 17, 2009)</a><br /><a href="http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200912/121709e.html">Vermont Senator, Patrick Leahy on the Release of Parole Guidelines for Asylum Seekers</a><br /><a href="http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/media/asy/2009/alert/555/index.htm">HRF: <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Human Rights First Says New ICE Parole Directive is "Important Step"</span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-66576124176874857262009-07-01T16:39:00.000-07:002017-02-09T06:40:36.596-08:00Resources for Asylum Seekers & AsyleesHere are resources for asylum seekers we've put together so far. Your suggestions and additions are welcome! Please e-mail us at the address above.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome!</span> We hope this guide will help you feel more comfortable in New York/New Jersey. Please contact Sojourners <a href="mailto:sojourners@theriversidechurchny.org">c/o frances.connell (at) gmail.com</a> if you have any questions.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Useful phone numbers</span><br />
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Emergency (police, fire, medical): 911<br />
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New York Immigration Hot line: 1-800-566-7636. Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday<br />
Languages: Spanish, Creole, French, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Polish, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Albanian, Croatian, Macedonian, Arabic, Turkish, Korean<br />
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New York City's number for government information: 311 (outside the city: 212-NEW-YORK)<br />
Languages: More than 100 available. The recorded welcome message offers Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Creole. Among other things, call this number to request connection to reputable legal help.<br />
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Note: You can also send requests by text message<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Where am I?</span><br />
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New York subway map: <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm">www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm</a><br />
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Manhattan bus map: <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf">www.mta.info/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf</a><br />
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Bronx bus map: <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busbx.pdf">www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busbx.pdf</a><br />
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Brooklyn bus map: <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busbkln.pdf">www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busbkln.pdf</a><br />
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Queens bus map: <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busqns.pdf">www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busqns.pdf</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Free English classes</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
Riverside Language Program: 212-662-3200 <a href="http://www.riversidelanguage.org/">www.riversidelanguage.org</a><br />
Admission by lottery; see website for instructions.<br />
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International Center: 212-255-9555 <a href="http://www.intlcenter.org/">www.intlcenter.org</a><br />
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City University of New York: 212-794-5302 <a href="http://literacy.cuny.edu/locations/index.html">literacy.cuny.edu</a><br />
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Literary Assistance Center: 212-803-3300 <a href="http://aelweb.lacnyc.org/LACSearch.asp">aelweb.lacnyc.org</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">New York Public Libraries</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.nypl.org/locations">www.nypl.org/locations</a><br />
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Libraries offer free internet access, free classes and free loans of books and videos. <br />
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How to get a free New York Public Library Card:<br />
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1. Go to <a href="http://www.nypl.org/">www.nypl.org</a><br />
2. Click on "Using the Library"<br />
3. Under "Getting Oriented," click on "Get a Library Card"<br />
4. You may apply online or in person at any New York Public Library location or library-sponsored event.<br />
5. You must present valid identification (an I-94 works) in person at any NYPL location before collecting your card. Bring your current address with you, including zip code.<br />
6. Once you have your card, you can use it to borrow materials, download E-NYPL material, search library databases and reserve a computer.<br />
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Note: Branch libraries are open different days and hours. The Mid-Manhattan Library at 40th Street and Fifth Avenue is open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Free Internet (other sources)</span><br />
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New York Parks: <a href="http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_things_to_do/crc/pdf/crc_locations_map.pdf">www.nycgovparks.org</a><br />
Legal Aid self-help centers: <a href="http://www.legal-aid.org/selfhelp/tech_centers.html">www.legal-aid.org</a><br />
This is a list of community groups that offer free Internet and computer use. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Free Wi-Fi</span><br />
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Starbucks and other cafes and many public places offer free wi-fi access, but you must bring your own laptop computer.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Money issues</span><br />
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Financial literacy classes at public libraries: <a href="http://www.nypl.org/financialliteracynow">www.nypl.org/financialliteracynow</a><br />
You can sign up for a free 30-minute class with a financial advisor.<br />
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Online booklets on money issues for immigrants. Spanish, French and other languages available:<br />
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Moneywise: Very wordy. English, Spanish and Asian languages. <a href="http://www.money-wise.org/articles/banking_basics_you_can_bank_on_it1">www.money-wise.org</a><br />
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Appleseed: English, Spanish. <a href="http://www.appleseednetwork.org/bPublicationsb/FinancialAccessBrochures/tabid/424/Default.aspx">www.appleseednetwork.org</a><br />
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Refugees.org: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian. <a href="http://www.refugees.org/resources/for-refugees--immigrants/financial-literacy.html">www.refugees.org</a><br />
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Immigrant Financial Justice Project: Hotline for free financial and legal advice in English, French and Spanish. 212-925-4929. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursdays 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Resources in English and Spanish: <a href="http://www.nedap.org/resources/consumer.html">www.nedap.org</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Free food (soup kitchens)</span><br />
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The New York City Coalition Against Hunger:<br />
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<a href="http://www.nyccah.org/get-food/food-and-assistance-guides">www.nyccah.org</a><br />
Guide to free food in the city, including soup kitchens (for a hot meal) and food pantries (for free groceries):<br />
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Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen: 212-924-0167 <a href="http://www.holyapostlessoupkitchen.org/">www.holyapostlessoupkitchen.org</a><br />
Free breakfast and lunch in return for volunteering, Monday through Friday. Go at 9 a.m. the first time to register. Say you are new in the city, heard about the soup kitchen and want to volunteer. That is all you need to say.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Free medical and psychological help</span><br />
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Bellevue Program for Survivors of Torture: 212-562-8713 <a href="http://www.survivorsoftorture.org/">www.survivorsoftorture.org</a><br />
Medical, psychological, legal and social help to people who suffered torture or trauma<br />
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Libertas Center for Human Rights: 718-334-6209 <a href="http://libertascenter.net/">libertascenter.net</a><br />
Medical, psychological, legal and social help to people who suffered torture or trauma<br />
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HealthRight International Human Rights Clinic: 212-584-4865<br />
<a href="http://www.healthright.org/where-we-work/us">www.healthright.org</a><br />
The clinic provides free medical and mental health affidavits to substantiate claims of torture. You MUST have a lawyer contact the clinic on your behalf. You must have an appointment.<br />
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Refugee and Immigrant Fund: <a href="http://asylumhelp.org/">asylumhelp.org</a><br />
Social support and pro bono legal referrals. Psychological affidavits are available but only at a lawyer’s request.<br />
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The Medina Clinic in Harlem: <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/harlem/html/services/medina-clinic.shtml">www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/harlem/html/services/medina-clinic</a><br />
Harlem Hospital Center, 506 Lenox Ave, 212-939-8400 Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.<br />
Lenox Avenue Health Center, 115 West 116th Street, 212-961-5740 Fridays 3 to 7 p.m.<br />
The center focuses on the Islamic community, including from the African community, but all are welcome. Undocumented immigrants are welcome, and service is confidential. They will talk with you about how much money you can pay. They can help even if you can’t pay. Bring your ID and papers showing your address and date of birth.<br />
<br />
African Services Committee: 212-222-3882 <a href="http://www.africanservices.org/">www.africanservices.org</a><br />
Legal and social services for African immigrants<br />
<br />
Sauti Yetu Center for African Women: 718-665-2486 <a href="http://www.sautiyetu.org/">www.sautiyetu.org</a><br />
Legal, social and medical counseling for individual and groups of African women. There is a focus on reproductive health and family violence protection.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Legal information on seeking asylum</span><br />
<br />
Information on applying for asylum, in English and Spanish: <a href="http://www.firrp.org/resources/prose/">www.firrp.org</a><br />
Go down to the section called “Asylum/Withholding of Removal/Convention Against Torture Relief. This resource is mostly for people without a lawyer.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Legal rights</span><br />
<br />
“Know Your Rights” legal guide from the American Civil Liberties Union<br />
<br />
In English: <a href="http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_english.pdf">www.aclu.org</a><br />
In French: <a href="http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_french.pdf">www.aclu.org</a><br />
In Spanish: <a href="http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_spanish.pdf">www.aclu.org</a><br />
In Arabic: <a href="http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_arabic.pdf">www.aclu.org</a><br />
In Urdu: <a href="http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_urdu.pdf">www.aclu.org</a><br />
In Farsi: <a href="http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_farsi.pdf">www.aclu.org</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Inexpensive clothing</span><br />
<br />
Salvation Army Thrift Shop: <a href="http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/ndos/app/zipcode.jsf?OpenForm&go=1&zip=10025">www.salvationarmyusa.org</a><br />
We recommend 315 West 47th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues). 212-975-9988<br />
<br />
Housing Works: <a href="http://www.housingworks.org/locations">www.housingworks.org</a><br />
The closest location to Riverside Church is at 2569 Broadway between 96th and 97th streets. 212-222-3550 Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m.<br />
<br />
Goodwill: <a href="http://www.goodwillny.org/FindGoodwill_result.aspx?type=STORE&zip=10025#">www.goodwillny.org</a><br />
Less expensive than Housing Works. The closest location to Riverside Church is 217 West 79th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam. 212-874-5050. Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Free or inexpensive books</span><br />
<br />
In addition to the New York Public Libraries …<br />
<br />
The Strand Bookstore: 212-473-1452. 828 Broadway at 12th Street. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-10:3 p.m.<br />
It has thousands of books outside for $1 each.<br />
<br />
Housing Works stores also have books for about $2 each.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Places to volunteer</span><br />
NYC Service: <a href="http://www.nycservice.org/">www.nycservice.org</a><br />
You can search opportunities by location, date, kinds of work and your skills.<br />
<br />
New York Cares: 212-228-5000. <a href="http://www.newyorkcares.org/">www.newyorkcares.org</a><br />
You have to sign up for a volunteer orientation class first.<br />
<br />
Urban Farm Recovery project: <a href="http://asylumhelp.org/?page_id=104">asylumhelp.org</a><br />
An internship program that offers urban farming skills and therapy for asylum seekers.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Training for future work</span><br />
<br />
CAMBA Immigrant Professional Training Program: 718-287-2600<br />
<a href="http://www.camba.org/Programs/EconomicDevelopment/WorkforceDevelopment/RefugeeServices/tabid/86/menuheader/0/submenuheader/2/Default.aspx">www.camba.org</a><br />
It may be possible for professionals to audit (go to classes without getting a certificate) and learn about licensing and education in their field.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Religious centers</span><br />
<br />
Search for churches by neighborhood: <a href="http://www.nyc.com/search/find.aspx?secid=24&bdcid=12030000&name=churches">www.nyc.com</a><br />
<br />
List of mosques: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=mosques&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY">www.yelp.com</a><br />
<br />
The Interfaith Center of New York. 212-870-3510 <a href="http://interfaithcenter.org/">interfaithcenter.org</a> 475 Riverside Drive<br />
It can help contact all kinds of religious organizations. It is located very close to The Riverside Church.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Grocery stores with food from other countries</span><br />
<br />
There are several African grocery stores on and around 116th Street.<br />
<br />
Low-cost groceries from other countries: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=ethnic+grocery+stores&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY#attrs=RestaurantsPriceRange2.1&cflt=ethnicmarkets">www.yelp.com</a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Free cultural events</span><br />
<br />
NYCGo: The website lets you translate the pages in to French, Spanish and other languages. Look for “Select Language” at the top right of the page.<br />
<a href="http://www.nycgo.com/free/?a=1&b=1&cid=nycgov_free-in-nyc_73109">www.nycgo.com</a><br />
<br />
Time Out New York: The website lists free tours, free museums, free classes and more.<br />
<a href="http://newyork.timeout.com/things-to-do/this-week-in-new-york/80650/free-things-to-do-in-new-york-city">newyork.timeout.com</a><br />
<br />
Club Free Time: The website lists today’s free events, from morning to night.<br />
<a href="http://www.clubfreetime.com/free-events-things-to-do-in-new-york-city.asp">www.clubfreetime.com</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Free exercise (2011)</span><br />
<br />
Free yoga in Bryant Park: Through the end of September, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. behind the library and Thursdays at 6 p.m. on the lawn. One hour. Bring a mat or a thick towel and wear comfortable sports clothing. 42nd Street at Sixth Avenue.<br />
<br />
Free tai chi (Chinese stretching) in Bryant Park: Through the end of September. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. One hour.<br />
<br />
Free dance in Bryant Park: Through Sept. 10. Saturdays at 11 a.m. on the lawn.<br />
<br />
Free tai chi in Riverside Park: Through Aug. 29. Sundays at 8 a.m. One and a half hours. West 89th Street at Riverside Drive by the statue.<br />
<br />
Free yoga in Riverside Park: Through Sept. 22. Wednesdays at 6:30. One hour. Bring a mat or a thick towel and wear comfortable sports clothing. 66th Street by the Hudson River.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Summer suggestions (2011)</span><br />
<br />
Free stargazing on the High Line: Through Sept. 6. Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Two hours. Look at the stars through telescopes at New York’s newest park. Near Tenth Avenue and 13th Street.<br />
<br />
Free movies at Bryant Park: Through Aug. 22. Mondays at sundown. Sit on the grass with thousands of New Yorkers. Sixth Avenue at 42nd Street. Note: They inspect your bags.<br />
<br />
Free music at Central Park: Through the end of August. Usually starts at 6 p.m. or later. A variety of music. Note: Some events are full quickly and then you can’t get in. The east side of the park near 72nd Street. <a href="http://www.summerstage.org/park.html?id=44&p=1">www.summerstage.org</a><br />
<br />
Free movies at all other New York City parks: <a href="http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/free_summer_movies">www.nycgovparks.org</a><br />
<br />
Free dance and music at the Brooklyn Museum: The first Saturday of every month, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. A variety of music. Take the 2 or 3 train to the Eastern Parkway station in Brooklyn.<br />
<a href="http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php">www.brooklynmuseum.org</a><br />
<br />
Free boats to Governors Island: Through Sept. 25. Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A beautiful island park with a variety of cultural events every weekend. Free ferries leave every hour from 10 South Street, to the left of the Staten Island Ferry station. Take the 1 train to the South Ferry station or the R train to the Whitehall Street station. <a href="http://www.govisland.com/html/visit/calendar.shtml">www.govisland.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-60746179266417603542009-06-24T12:09:00.000-07:002010-07-01T17:16:19.114-07:00Building a Network of Support<p>Hey Team!<br /><br />On Wed June 30th @ 6:30pm, Sojourners will be meeting at the Riverside Church for a brainstorming session to plan for ways we can help build a network of support for detainees that have been released into the city and surrounding area. We'd love for you to make it. Current ideas include: making self available for cup of coffee, plugging former-detainee into volunteer services like soup kitchen, plugging detainee into temporary housing options, etc. We're looking to think of any organizations, social services, partners, friends, even our own individual strengths we can tap into to better provide for detainees.<br /><br />For those that cannot make it to the meeting, we'd love for you to send someone in your stead who may also be interested. If this isn't possible, no worries, shoot us an <a href="mailto:sojourners@theriversidechurchny.org">e-mail</a> and we'll keep you posted if you'd like.<br /><br />In the meantime, be thinking of any organizations, social services, partners, friends, even your own individual strengths we can tap into.<br /><br />Ask front desk at church for directions to meeting.<br /><br />-Nate & The Sojourners Team</p><p>[EDITOR: The team met! <a href="http://sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com/2009/07/building-support-network-minutes-and.html">Check out what we learned</a>!]</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-58187084497590429952009-06-10T07:05:00.000-07:002010-06-10T07:08:32.227-07:00Book Recommendations"Strength in What Remains" by Tracy Kidder<br />A must-read for New Yorkers for its insights into the struggles of a newly arrived asylum seeker. In it, Kidder tells the story of "Deo," a Burundian refugee from genocide, and his first months in New York -- months of hunger, homelessness, exploitation by employers -- months of courage, determination and the support of people who helped him realize his dream of becoming a doctor.<br />--Carol Fouke-Mpoyo<br /><br />"Little Bee" by Chris Cleave<br />A book for all volunteers, Cleave tells the very powerful story that documents the experiences of a refugee from Nigeria in a detention center and living life in London. It's disturbing and sad at times but truly brings light to the issues we see and hear about on our visits. The book is a tool for advocacy and I hope policymakers will read it and make change to a flawed system.<br />--Ariana HellermanUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-21440203954246785412009-04-27T12:36:00.000-07:002010-07-02T08:41:58.477-07:00Immigration Detention News Archive<div>April 2010</div><a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-april-26-2010/law---border">Law & Boarder (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, April 2010)<br /></a><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/nyregion/29visitors.html">Volunteers Report on Treatment of Immigrant Detainees (NYT, April 2010)</a><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/opinion/09fri3.html">Too Broken to Fix (NYT, April 2010)<br /></a><a href="http://www.asylumist.com/">The Asylumist (A Blog)<br /></a><br /><div>March 2010</div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/nyregion/17detain.html">Move Across Hudson Further Isolates Immigration Detainees (NYT, Mar 2010)<br /></a><br /><div>February 2010</div><a href="http://www.thenation.com/doc/20100315/stevens">Broken ICE (The Nation, Feb 2010)<br /></a><br /><div>January 2010</div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/opinion/20wed2.html">Secrets of the Immigration Jails (NYT, Jan 2010)<br /></a><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/nyregion/15ice.html">Varick Street Detention Center to Close (NYT, Jan 2010)</a><br /><br /><div>December 2009</div><a href="http://sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com/2009/12/end-of-asylum-detention.html">End of Asylum Detention? (Sojourners)</a><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/nyregion/13indonesians.html">NJ Church Works with U.S. to Spare Immigrants Detention (New York Times)</a><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/nyregion/02detain.html" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; ">Immigrant Jail Tests U.S. View of Legal Access (New York Times)</a><br /><br /><div>October 2009<br /><a href="http://sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com/2008/10/dhs-and-ice-announce-new-detention.html">Following the Detention Reform Initiatives (Sojourners)</a><br /><br /></div><div>September 2009<br /><a href="http://sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com/2008/10/our-partners-in-new-jersey-irate-first.html">IRATE & First Friends Newsletter (IRATE/First Friends)</a><br /><a href="http://sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com/2009/09/us-to-revamp-detention-system.html">U.S. to Revamp Detention System? (Sojourners)</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-47250038776869521762009-04-27T12:17:00.000-07:002010-04-27T12:30:43.627-07:00Sojourners in the News Archive<div>April 2010</div><a href="http://www.indypendent.org/INDY_ISSUE_ARCHIVE/INDY_ISSUE_150/ISSUE150_INDYPENDENT_APR21.pdf">Everything is Not Fine (Indypendent, PDF)</a><br /><a href="http://njjndev.com/article/statewide/jewish-values-inspire-visits-to-detention-center/">Jewish Values Inspire Visits to Detention Center (NJJN)</a><br /><a href="http://www.hias.org/en/post/hias-blog/getting-what-you-wish-for">Getting What You Wish For (HIAS)</a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.hias.org/en/post/hias-blog/getting-what-you-wish-for"></a>Dec 2009<br /><a href="http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/souls-on-ice/">Souls on ICE (Busted Halo, April 2010)</a><a href="http://www.impre.com/eldiariony/noticias/2009/12/7/la-buena-migra-162514-1.html">La Buena Migra... (El Diario)</a><br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arlene-m-roberts/the-faces-of-detention-an_b_381934.html">Deportation: Sojourners Project Marks a Ten-Year Milestone (Huffington Post)</a></div><div><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arlene-m-roberts/the-faces-of-detention-an_b_381934.html"></a><br />Oct 2009<br /><a href="http://sojournersvisitorprogram.blogspot.com/2004/11/creating-network-building-visitation.html">Building a Visitation Network (Sojourners)</a><br /><br /></div><div>Dec 2008</div><div><a href="http://a.abcnews.com/US/wireStory?id=6535039">Sojourners Are There for Detainees (AP)</a></div><div><a href="http://a.abcnews.com/US/wireStory?id=6535039"></a><br />May 208<br /><a href="http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=79145b4288497d7b4ec63abfc6a8f64e">Visitors Bring Human Touch to Detention Centers (New American Media)</a><br /><br /></div><div>April 2008<br /><a href="http://www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights/visitor">ACLU interview with The Visitor Writer/Director Tom McCarthy (ACLU)</a><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-58463248894382151662009-03-30T10:33:00.000-07:002010-04-28T07:36:07.783-07:00Pictures with the Sojourner Crew<div><div style="text-align: left; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBlLDUqOoZ3K40RgPTLG-UPB91tQ-oymQ0T_3EPzaa3DUD56HLBbyYF1-ViofHSFg5V9o1fv1jZWpB-fkuPkcjdiBVojD4uLDiicv9ifa51sznSGisVrJDDRCRi7is0CZ-3veElw_VCk/s1600-h/DSC_0585.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBlLDUqOoZ3K40RgPTLG-UPB91tQ-oymQ0T_3EPzaa3DUD56HLBbyYF1-ViofHSFg5V9o1fv1jZWpB-fkuPkcjdiBVojD4uLDiicv9ifa51sznSGisVrJDDRCRi7is0CZ-3veElw_VCk/s320/DSC_0585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319035750739011058" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CrWLN3gb9pMCktCUgNPFa6d7kP8KWJeyhRJJUcNIbl7kd88xSYd33-Cb37vQBHer_QIGIxU0N0_bSFifrTxZzGIwml75FwS5xaNIbqfpI7NBXVR8-XPyz80NwpD_46RVWOkM_ZxZQ5k/s320/DSC_0587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319035756064793090" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBlLDUqOoZ3K40RgPTLG-UPB91tQ-oymQ0T_3EPzaa3DUD56HLBbyYF1-ViofHSFg5V9o1fv1jZWpB-fkuPkcjdiBVojD4uLDiicv9ifa51sznSGisVrJDDRCRi7is0CZ-3veElw_VCk/s1600-h/DSC_0585.JPG"></a></div></div><div>Asylum seekers are detained here at the Elizabeth Detention Center (EDC), a converted former warehouse run by Corrections Corporation of America (CCA). CCA is a private sector provider of detention and corrections services to federal, state and local governments. Notice the blockaded windows. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIetn_wuZx-jjbborRrE3K9tDavQ1WxmckXlY31YV8esNd1Fd8vPGYPOhC17dt_QG9BtXuw5u1u2MMCkKjdaHDd-nCmW4h95_xtK5GBfItY5_rQNmRuwlQ08HbSlMPGTC0YTntA5sjYao/s320/IMG_0420.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465196706873973698" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlh3vHgaZBGygt0I_IeUqfdGh2prLF64tYtftkzfeZgKDiquSLz_BQ9YeJLpq6svisfOZVfkPaMCcvsvrPtQtWOhMdvH_mKM3n7rpblluOFOOtxUFeizIkB55s_-gtr2yP5BjedfFrNQ/s320/DSC_0588.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342901476362715378" sstyle="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPluLG5G6-z4-OvmgUD5c0MXNeBaiCqYsq9SjPWvoz8PK71QG0PSbqG85EpJ0qHYgssbmHTtrNCF8zSEpqTlMVZlZ3cj3bZJsleLicSGxRXSSHGvd4YRCXpOTfZJOAcN78U5PU263fnNE/s400/photo-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401437400145554594" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Q-tNu7IxyuLFja2H7aSMfbWJXxQ8tfaaOxmW-4hokgJe4TbtMXojvYe-v9SrWf9XM6xXX-gf7CAsnPSUJpzip0UkpTdHfyqE1psITVjZESe61_z92A6ZPLJb2k-SlOxCzKKE8cXiiQo/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465196723602646418" /></div></div><div>Groups of visitors pose for shots outside the EDC after Saturday visits. Sojourner Volunteers make the trip every Saturday and every other Tuesday, totaling six visits a month.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bhVKXna_UZRVcGKt_X8xP352k_DlDGdC63IzHed-YTL1jqNZE9dyg-gfC9XiQisZgk1cpXN7_uGDb4tX58CnF40cdEO-dCJXZWdviSj0ZAoAQQgcQvZM_GCiW_WrtxAqG6yjaQ5s1bI/s400/DSC_0079.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433313037750039730" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEqCTrgx-aeooBA_KTWWTPnOWGv2n0yH_ROLzpMZkoIhiYDDrRKvZyBKWIKAcU08GKqfq0BQGJPFW5_d-rYUzhaTvCTFhB00rZx3Ci4E8S3W0TWVU-aQZX3Em8xK79XvTTJQogwOcJvs/s400/DSC_0083.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433313040631154418" /></div><div><div style="text-align: left; ">Sojourner Visitors load up the van with boxes of books to drop off of at the Hudson County Correctional Center's library. It was a historic visit for Sojourners, as HCCC is the newest location for the group to visit detained immigrants.</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuwLqG1ZShyphenhyphenxC93fu3mbR3-hnj56esJdsHY9202geLLMdnSMrD7znWq9_9wUfI9GgNMjtTn6I-lt2NTdTlKfpe6a-uXP2JC3lY-RiUFc5-O9oxBBc-HMjjs0Fz_sKjXsgAK-xHLX9-AQ/s1600-h/IMG_0398.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuwLqG1ZShyphenhyphenxC93fu3mbR3-hnj56esJdsHY9202geLLMdnSMrD7znWq9_9wUfI9GgNMjtTn6I-lt2NTdTlKfpe6a-uXP2JC3lY-RiUFc5-O9oxBBc-HMjjs0Fz_sKjXsgAK-xHLX9-AQ/s400/IMG_0398.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435946829102252370" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuwLqG1ZShyphenhyphenxC93fu3mbR3-hnj56esJdsHY9202geLLMdnSMrD7znWq9_9wUfI9GgNMjtTn6I-lt2NTdTlKfpe6a-uXP2JC3lY-RiUFc5-O9oxBBc-HMjjs0Fz_sKjXsgAK-xHLX9-AQ/s1600-h/IMG_0398.JPG"></a>A Saturday group gathers in the cold just after visiting.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0lTn2E5X5BjLmFUiVmsbkRG4_zc_Md0zmdrE3MFDu_JtStMeYN4hirbc4jNXgH6cHAfQ8fw4Z46PtT-_0o6isWkdTfj4XmPlPyJ2didRLPxaoRLmEEBtxJEWiBIXJ-f7dJlBmbHobpw/s1600-h/IMG_0396.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0lTn2E5X5BjLmFUiVmsbkRG4_zc_Md0zmdrE3MFDu_JtStMeYN4hirbc4jNXgH6cHAfQ8fw4Z46PtT-_0o6isWkdTfj4XmPlPyJ2didRLPxaoRLmEEBtxJEWiBIXJ-f7dJlBmbHobpw/s400/IMG_0396.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435946817861137458" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0lTn2E5X5BjLmFUiVmsbkRG4_zc_Md0zmdrE3MFDu_JtStMeYN4hirbc4jNXgH6cHAfQ8fw4Z46PtT-_0o6isWkdTfj4XmPlPyJ2didRLPxaoRLmEEBtxJEWiBIXJ-f7dJlBmbHobpw/s1600-h/IMG_0396.JPG"></a>Dr. Allen Keller, founder and director of the Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture, talks with WYNC's Bob Hennelly after a Homeland Security Advisory Council Meeting early February, 2010 as Sojourner Chair and founding member Carol Fouke-Mpoyo listens.<br /><div><br /></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjTqPqyRE3pddUgzTHADgUDT2kQ2LlxM4PuZxzPXYSQ-tbGvGWdgC2e4QT5V2NNDM4RTjtMDttWWGtcv7tlNPkuViEARpnBGxFKDPuWVpMkmRD_0uQsxKwTvlopzGFJsRNHfGhvAQbgA/s1600-h/IMG_0057.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjTqPqyRE3pddUgzTHADgUDT2kQ2LlxM4PuZxzPXYSQ-tbGvGWdgC2e4QT5V2NNDM4RTjtMDttWWGtcv7tlNPkuViEARpnBGxFKDPuWVpMkmRD_0uQsxKwTvlopzGFJsRNHfGhvAQbgA/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385495447662839186" /></a></div><div>A recent volunteer waits patiently for the remainder of the group to exit the building after visiting. The Elizabeth Detention Center is located in a near-abandoned warehouse district outside of the Newark Airport in New Jersey.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjTqPqyRE3pddUgzTHADgUDT2kQ2LlxM4PuZxzPXYSQ-tbGvGWdgC2e4QT5V2NNDM4RTjtMDttWWGtcv7tlNPkuViEARpnBGxFKDPuWVpMkmRD_0uQsxKwTvlopzGFJsRNHfGhvAQbgA/s1600-h/IMG_0057.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_vF9sSpbqiPRcouQeFcNXfVGzADYB2gr2lxK_e18XjcLjrZB6CrKkZSPmEdWlEeZUsBoZTndhkE8QH9X7RWb9yJHRLNZSlgSb-c48O8dc4eTfyKXSLGMkIJm61sQw0GSfH2pmIOyoZg/s320/DSC_0582.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342901267059060882" style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KYFJuMGaURbGvPzqyILdf7B26r1qm_hM42ozZOsFseDYqhT5e_-FMlIccAJ_qTd5f_RCGslGSuoA5XLInSfqHuoncfcfXO2SYZbNx_tptCv8YaWNril7exDDBMHyityeUzcueF7A84E/s320/DSC_0579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319035745544577842" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The group after a Saturday visit sharing stories from the morning as we return to the van.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEedlWFAY_-tVWSnNm5P4X7QxQOy_My5mLg6GS0QLzBUrQEXUepjyZeh3huza-ZlB3zmE7stmmkOTxA1oWEsLnk8gelpaJFGyr919zQkPUyugcDKX_-UcFqzSuxx8ICvuM3sKRDPPPsU4/s1600-h/DSC_0587.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEedlWFAY_-tVWSnNm5P4X7QxQOy_My5mLg6GS0QLzBUrQEXUepjyZeh3huza-ZlB3zmE7stmmkOTxA1oWEsLnk8gelpaJFGyr919zQkPUyugcDKX_-UcFqzSuxx8ICvuM3sKRDPPPsU4/s320/DSC_0587.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342900736236600338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRf0gEGlgQOQPis_Th04FtexQfjHvH25MoM0bPNglX0i05MoKgsRvHwHt8QjuL7-zy0sjc5baF3IRiaU9cV9RjgmV2dpp3pVu8tZXnNjZfsqfjmqyeSvMiGSNIbxpaZJ1mcrzj84fqT4c/s1600-h/DSC_0587.jpg"><br /></a><br />May 2009 we held an Art Auction at a local hot spot to raise money for Sojourners and spread awareness of the work we do.<div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcyaDpAep6wGgcFoq5G8WnozZO0HkBfl9rPIWEG_qNgADLmgqjUU3UuN7Xbrr2ACz6-80RVpkakXaRvVy-y_j5A8q6FcWWjSRW7ExqJvBmLYgRogZTVPmPuPVkiK2FN_hCDYoxq9NJkY/s1600-h/IMG_0056.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcyaDpAep6wGgcFoq5G8WnozZO0HkBfl9rPIWEG_qNgADLmgqjUU3UuN7Xbrr2ACz6-80RVpkakXaRvVy-y_j5A8q6FcWWjSRW7ExqJvBmLYgRogZTVPmPuPVkiK2FN_hCDYoxq9NJkY/s400/IMG_0056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385495434129620658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcyaDpAep6wGgcFoq5G8WnozZO0HkBfl9rPIWEG_qNgADLmgqjUU3UuN7Xbrr2ACz6-80RVpkakXaRvVy-y_j5A8q6FcWWjSRW7ExqJvBmLYgRogZTVPmPuPVkiK2FN_hCDYoxq9NJkY/s1600-h/IMG_0056.JPG"></a> A group of women smile for the camera after a saturday morning visit.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oK7XAMts5jf4Ffiw3BsQIbwH4632AAmPY7pdYe4dYTuepKEZO60iQFC5ll3RjJUHb2XBx-vqdiniS-JK54ufQIW5Gpn10GPXZHkMmchKWxh9Ayq13y68l-otgvS3wXBFtNLCbEENDk0/s1600-h/IMG_0095.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oK7XAMts5jf4Ffiw3BsQIbwH4632AAmPY7pdYe4dYTuepKEZO60iQFC5ll3RjJUHb2XBx-vqdiniS-JK54ufQIW5Gpn10GPXZHkMmchKWxh9Ayq13y68l-otgvS3wXBFtNLCbEENDk0/s400/IMG_0095.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385495455857207026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oK7XAMts5jf4Ffiw3BsQIbwH4632AAmPY7pdYe4dYTuepKEZO60iQFC5ll3RjJUHb2XBx-vqdiniS-JK54ufQIW5Gpn10GPXZHkMmchKWxh9Ayq13y68l-otgvS3wXBFtNLCbEENDk0/s1600-h/IMG_0095.jpg"></a>A group surrounds the table, listening intently, as David Fraccaro, Sojourners Coordinator, leads a training session. Before visiting, volunteers participate in a two-hour training session to learn about the mission of Sojourners, the ethics of visiting, and have their own questions answered.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUtzAvx3KjckB5hizYuxaF8ihh8kgx1_7n4NWlCeDaovaLitnv7A5JV0Ob0rUOeM6xxpHBirxNjZDQbRMQ7eJViMpkCpnOtP33V9vshu44T63fc1bq6oCJZG63lpREqMrFBEvP8sd1x0/s320/DSC_0626.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322901517250527154" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARKUW9jCEUAFeMWwEd_On8RzV7Jf6lhErX3gKNZf6uZJiQavp5paJ6FldS4qH00A40yZlkc8g2mg5yPguoLP98wI6GESreRMkjZL8kQqaBbseuguNCRD7C7HK8yBR_qi2r586Ra_HoXw/s320/DSC_0633.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322901520533862834" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARKUW9jCEUAFeMWwEd_On8RzV7Jf6lhErX3gKNZf6uZJiQavp5paJ6FldS4qH00A40yZlkc8g2mg5yPguoLP98wI6GESreRMkjZL8kQqaBbseuguNCRD7C7HK8yBR_qi2r586Ra_HoXw/s1600-h/DSC_0633.JPG"></a><div>Bill, a Tuesday night driver, gathers a group from our Uptown Manhattan pickup spot - The Riverside Church. The crew waves as they head out to the Elizabeth Detention Center, not without first making a stop at the downtown pickup spot, Hudson Street Cafe, located at the corner of Hudson and Canal.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFeMKvWK82gIKio23r8A1h4ETRUzIULb-WjcdIb5EyNhjvwGPq4m4TWckW1oDmSjXEmA4XdYCPuZyIV3bnUe_cEQgiiUzORfr7ShE2WLoXTqfIbtY7c9R_pGai5mwtPF6xonnkNFVEFE/s1600/SojournersGroup.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFeMKvWK82gIKio23r8A1h4ETRUzIULb-WjcdIb5EyNhjvwGPq4m4TWckW1oDmSjXEmA4XdYCPuZyIV3bnUe_cEQgiiUzORfr7ShE2WLoXTqfIbtY7c9R_pGai5mwtPF6xonnkNFVEFE/s400/SojournersGroup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405884921943947970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px; " /></a></div><div>A group of visitors from the early days of Sojourners share in the release of a former detainee.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFeMKvWK82gIKio23r8A1h4ETRUzIULb-WjcdIb5EyNhjvwGPq4m4TWckW1oDmSjXEmA4XdYCPuZyIV3bnUe_cEQgiiUzORfr7ShE2WLoXTqfIbtY7c9R_pGai5mwtPF6xonnkNFVEFE/s1600/SojournersGroup.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbEMi3sjmhaPR4kcgXD_ynYwRd5kk5NE5Mg7zT12JJMBZu6LqfvP-gmcWnhEjADQtTwYKLpdoAqRnTX4NEv4uKJLz5QKA8-nMCenqgzHqhAr0qIUEn33ARon1TrXVAgbe9vwV68QvQhw/s1600/Sojourners+StreetFair.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbEMi3sjmhaPR4kcgXD_ynYwRd5kk5NE5Mg7zT12JJMBZu6LqfvP-gmcWnhEjADQtTwYKLpdoAqRnTX4NEv4uKJLz5QKA8-nMCenqgzHqhAr0qIUEn33ARon1TrXVAgbe9vwV68QvQhw/s400/Sojourners+StreetFair.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405884921763712818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px; " /></a></div><div>Again, a group of visitors pose with asylee/former detainee and our friends at the Jesuit Refugee Service.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbEMi3sjmhaPR4kcgXD_ynYwRd5kk5NE5Mg7zT12JJMBZu6LqfvP-gmcWnhEjADQtTwYKLpdoAqRnTX4NEv4uKJLz5QKA8-nMCenqgzHqhAr0qIUEn33ARon1TrXVAgbe9vwV68QvQhw/s1600/Sojourners+StreetFair.jpg"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i1m-wFN1cU6Hbj-yvr0JcLoDiSs4i61P0_rWhk941p-uiIzlh9zApzMkJuXnnztEOZ7VILVl5K1A7rzFSyfiT2yggSYZyuh6muHpR00Web_KOb-I79ODrmIy4AgNMXUP6LwHX3Rm18M/s400/Sojourners+Janet%26Stephanie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405884916757546610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 400px; " /></div><div>Former detainee and visitor embrace to share in the joy of release.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-71036835840037673262009-03-12T09:59:00.000-07:002009-09-04T14:42:16.470-07:00U.S. to Revamp Detention System?Early last month (August 2009) the Obama administration released plans to revamp the current immigration detention system. Hoping to increase oversight, the plans give the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), John Morton, a federal overseer to each of the 23 largest detention centers, setting up an oversight unit within the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility. The move comes after years of criticism by human rights groups who claim the system is in need of reform. In a <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/06/AR2009080601543.html?hpid=topnews?=AR">Washington Post</a> article, Morton states, "We need a system that is open, transparent, and accountable... With these reforms, ICE will move away from our present decentralized jail approach to a system that is wholly designed for and based on civil detention needs and the needs of the people we detain."<div><br /></div><div>Though applauded by many who have criticized the current detention system in the past, still many hope for further reform, claiming the proposed reform does not go far enough. <a href="http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/node/2452?">Detention Watch Network</a>, a coalition of community, faith-based, immigrant and human rights service and advocacy organizations, of which Sojourners is also a part of, claims the overhaul falls short in its failure to address "the lack of alternative to detention and the lack of legally enforceable minimum standards for detention centers."</div><div><br /></div><div>Find out more by following the links below.</div><div><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/06/AR2009080601543.html?hpid=topnews?=AR">Agency Plans to Improve Oversight of Immigrant Detention - Washington Post (August 7th)</a></div><div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/us/politics/06detain.html">U.S. to Reform Policy on Detention for Immigrants - New York Times (August 5th)</a></div><div><a href="http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/node/2452?">Federal Overhaul of Detention Falls Short - Detention Watch Network (August 7th)</a></div><div><a href="http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/media/usls/2009/alert/494/index.htm">Human Rights First Welcomes Detention Reforms, Cautions that Additional Changes are Needed - Human Rights First (August 6th)</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-50134577002013203962009-03-12T09:38:00.001-07:002016-06-25T07:25:24.524-07:00History and Purpose of Sojourners Detention Center Visitor Program<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Founded in 1999, the Sojourners Detention Center Visitor Program recruits, trains, transports, and mentors volunteers to visit and befriend asylum seekers and other non-criminal non-citizens held in area immigration detention centers, jails and prisons.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We match visitors with detainees who do not have family or friends in the vicinity to visit them, for a sustained, one-to-one relationship. The purpose: to help break the isolation and boost the morale of detainees, who may be held for months before being released or deported.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Visitors must complete a 90-minute training, which covers basic terminology, detainees’ needs and concerns, the role of the volunteer visitor, such ground rules as confidentiality, good communication, procedures for entering the detention center, “ten steps for a good visit,” and FAQs (“Can I bring books/food/money for the person I visit?” “What if the person I visit doesn’t have a lawyer?” “The person I visit is being released – where can he/she stay?” “The person I visit is really sick – how can he/she get the needed help?”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A first-time visitor accompanies an experienced “mentor" visitor, after which he/she may be “matched” with a detainee he/she commits to visit at least twice a month. Sojourners provides transport from both uptown and midtown Manhattan to Elizabeth Detention Center twice a month.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sojourners also works with numerous partners and friends to assist in providing post-release services for recently released immigrants and asylum seekers. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial; border-collapse: collapse; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span style="font-size: +0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sojourners, whose volunteers come from all over New York City, works in collaboration with First Friends, whose volunteers are from New Jersey. Frances Connell is Sojourners chair: frances.connell (at) gmail.com.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-20611193921950074802008-10-16T11:38:00.000-07:002009-10-16T11:50:39.503-07:00IRATE & First Friends' Yearning to Breathe Free NewsletterOur partners in New Jersey, IRATE & First Friends, put out a newsletter, <span style="font-style:italic;">Yearning to Breathe Free</span>, 3-4 times a year. In the September 2009 issue, there's a particularly relevant article regarding detention in the tri-state area entitled <span style="font-style:italic;">Where are the Detainees</span>. In it, they give a breakdown of the seven locations holding detainees, five of which are County Jails. Also in the newsletter are the organization's thoughts on the recent announcements from ICE and DHS regarding reform.<br /><br />Follow the links for more information in addition to access to past newsletters.<br /><a href="http://www.irateweb.org/news.htm">September Newsletter: <span style="font-style:italic;">Yearning to Breathe Free</span></a><br />To download the September 2009 newsletter as a pdf, click <a href="http://www.irateweb.org/newsletters/newssept09%20final.pdf">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-10276277582081046732008-10-15T08:34:00.000-07:002017-02-09T06:37:41.744-08:00Sojourners New Visitor Trainings<strong>SOJOURNERS NEW VISITOR ORIENTATION</strong><br />
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All prospective visitors must complete a 90-minute training, which covers basic terminology, detainees' needs and concerns, the role of the volunteer visitor, ground rules such as confidentiality, procedures for entering the detention center, "ten steps for a good visit" and FAQs. Once you've completed the training, you can decide whether you can commit to visit a detainee 1:1 at least twice a month for several months.<br />
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For information on the next training or other questions, contact Frances Connell, frances.connell (at) gmail.com.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-18608763951268661412008-10-15T07:07:00.000-07:002009-10-16T11:57:21.194-07:00DHS and ICE Announce New Detention InitiativesEarly October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) <a href="http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1254839781410.shtm">announced</a> "new initiatives as part of the Department's ongoing immigration detention reform efforts—enhancing the security and efficiency of ICE's nationwide detention system while prioritizing the health and safety of detainees."<br /><br />Their hopes are to improve accountability and safety, strengthen oversight, and establish consistent standards in the detention centers - all of which have been key elements community organizations and advocacy groups have targeted as needs for reform. The DHS reports that the reforms are expected to be "budget neutral or result in cost savings through reduced reliance on contractors [i.e. private corporations] to perform key federal duties and additional oversight of all contracts." This takes shape in DHS/ICE's plans to centralize all contracts under ICE's supervision, "more than [doubling] the number of federal personnel providing onsite oversight at the facilities where the majority of detainees are housed" - many of the detention centers are run by private corporations such as Corrections Corporation of America (CCA).<br /><br />Regarding alternatives to detention (ATD), DHS and ICE announced plans to submit a plan to congress to implement an ATD program nationwide. For immigrants who show less risk, as determined by ICE, the enforcement agency is pursuing options which make use of converted buildings such as hotels and nursing homes rather than detention centers, of which many are converted warehouses.<br /><br />Further, in an effort to meet the medical needs of detainees, ICE announced plans to implement a "medical classification system" to improve awareness of detainees health.<br /><br />The Detention Watch Network (DWN) <a href="http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/node/2460">responded</a>, praising the inititative, seeing it as a "commitment to move the immigration detention system away from the penal model." though cautions that DHS must still "reexamine its reliance on detention as a cornerstone of immigration enforcement."<br /><br />Seeing the reform initiative as stemming from advocacy groups, community organizations, and political officials' criticism over the years, DWN fears the initiatives to improve oversight are not feasible if the hope is to expand an already large system, as well as exclude independent oversight initiatives.<br /><br />Andrea Black, network coordinator of the Detention Watch Network, explains: “We welcome the government's first steps toward reform to the detention model and are committed to engaging in the reform process going forward... but we are concerned that the agency, under Secretary Napolitano's leadership, is continuing down the wrong path in its pursuit of heightened enforcement tactics. Absent a fundamental reexamination of who is being targeted for enforcement and how those laws are being enforced, the reforms DHS seeks are not feasible. Expanding an already sprawling detention system through the building of still more facilities will only further worsen the government's management and oversight crisis."<br /><br />For a more detailed plan of the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's initiative as well as the Detention Watch Network's response, see below.<br /><a href="http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1254839781410.shtm">Press Release: New Immigration Detention Reform Initiatives (Oct 6, 2009)</a><br /><a href="http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/node/2460">Detention Watch Network's Response (Oct 7, 2009)</a><br /><a href="http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/press_ice_detention_reform_fact_sheet.pdf">Fact Sheet: ICE Detention Reform: Principles and Next Steps</a> (PDF, 3 pages - 65 KB)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-60405344984299483562004-11-05T07:32:00.000-08:002010-10-12T15:53:17.770-07:00Creating a Network - Building a Visitation ProgramEvery two or three weeks, 20 or so people across the United States meet by phone conference to share stories, insights, and ask questions about developing immigration detention visitor programs in their communities. Visitation programs are a burgeoning niche, very much an immediate need all around the country's 400 detention facilities, and as more people become aware of the plight of asylum seekers and other immigration detainees, more and more want to get involved. Unfortunately, every detention center does business differently, and few know where to start. That's where the conference call comes in.<br /><br />Folks from the many different levels of building a visitation program get to talk, discuss, share ideas, successes, failures, and insight with one another to support each other in the process. Details discussed include: how to build a strong network of visitors, the importance of networking, ways in which groups acquire 'alien numbers', the role and importance of having a visitation coordinator, among others.<br /><br />For more information on the calls and how to build a visitation program, check out <a href="http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/">Detention Watch Network</a> and our <a href="http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/sites/default/files/Detention_Visitation_Manual.pdf">Training Program Manual</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8551884091083130145.post-6026625673923119192004-11-05T07:16:00.000-08:002011-07-25T17:24:05.672-07:00Notes from Sojourners' 10th Anniversary CelebrationNOTES FROM RIVERSIDE'S 10th ANNIVERSARY<br /><br />Riverside's Sojourners Immigration Detention Visitor Project marked its 10th anniversary on Sunday, December 6, 2009, with reflections from visitors and former detainees, premiere of a new 15-minute documentary about Sojourners, and a high-level presentation on the U.S. government's plans to reform the nation's immigration detention system.<br /><br />Keynoter Phyllis Coven, Acting Director for Detention Policy and Planning for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, D.C., traced the explosive growth of immigration detention from the early 1990s, when there were 5,500 beds nationwide, to today when there are 32,000.<br /><br />Describing the current situation, 55 percent of the beds are in federally run or contract facilities, and the rest in county jails and prisons, Coven said. More than 440,000 immigrants will have spent time in detention this year, according to Detention Watch Network. Even though immigration detention's purpose is not to punish -- rather, it is administrative, to make sure people show up for their hearings -- it has grown up using a penal model. "Our places look and operate like jails," she acknowledged. "We want to get away from that."<br /><br />In September of this year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) undertook a comprehensive review of the immigration detention system and developed<a href="http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0910/091006washington.htm"> recommendations for reform</a>. Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary for Homeland Security, and John T. Morton, DHS Assistant Secretary for ICE, "went out on a limb early and said, 'We want to reform immigration detention,'" Coven said. She was hired this fall to implement the recommendations.<br /><br />Sojourners' particular concern has been asylum seekers arrested upon arrival and detained for months, sometimes years pending final determination of their claim of persecution or fear of persecution in their home countries because of their religion, political opinion, race, nationality or membership in a particular social group.<br /><br />"During the past decade, we have recruited, trained, transported and mentored volunteer visitors to asylum seekers and other non-criminal non-citizens held at area detention centers," said Sojourners chair and co-founder Carol Fouke-Mpoyo. "We have matched hundreds of visitors with hundreds of men and women without friends or family in the vicinity to visit them for a sustained, one-on-one relationship whose purpose is simply to break their isolation, extend friendship and boost their morale."<br /><br />A Sunday panelist, Dr. Allen Keller, Director of the Bellevue Center for Survivors of Torture, thanked The Riverside Church and its Sojourners detention visitors, saying, "What you do is a life-saving intervention, nothing short of that."<br /><br />Sojourners visitors have witnessed the prison-like conditions in which immigration detainees -- some of them torture survivors, some of them as young as 18 -- are held.<br /><br />Former detainee Anthony Krakue described the conditions at the Elizabeth (N.J.) Detention Center, a windowless converted warehouse, during Sunday morning's Minute for Mission. As many as 44 people per "dorm" spend 22-23 hours a day in the same room, where they sleep, eat and try to pass the time watching TV or playing the few board games. Showers and toilets are open to view. One hour daily of "outdoor recreation" actually is in a room with a skylight. Detainees wear surgical scrub-like uniforms. Detainees and visitors are separated by plexiglas.<br /><br />At the close of the Sunday afternoon program, Sojourners' Fouke-Mpoyo said that, after witnessing detainees' suffering for a decade now, she was heartened by the DHS recommendations for detention reform. She said, "I hope we look back on today and say, 'We shared a historic moment, right at the turning point.' Ms. Coven, let us know how we can help you so that you can move faster with reform."<br /><br />Other panelists on Sunday represented Amnesty International, Human Rights First, Detention Watch Network, and Sojourners (Rev. David Fraccaro, coodinator for the past four years and recently ordained at Riverside). The more than 80 audience members included representatives of more than 15 outside organizations and institutions, ranging from Amnesty International to the New Sanctuary Movement, from the Fellowship of Reconciliation to the American Friends Service Committee, and included reporters from The New York Times, Associated Press, Huffington Post (story at <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arlene-m-roberts/the-faces-of-detention-an_b_381934.html">Huffington Post</a>) and El Diario (story at <a href="http://www.impre.com/eldiariony/noticias/2009/12/7/la-buena-migra-162514-1.html">El Diario</a>).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0