Immigration Reform
As new immigrants migrate to cities and towns spread out across the United States, there is a widespread need to build bridges between existing residents and immigrants. Faith communities recognize the importance of immigration to America society and the urgency of protecting new immigrants from exploitation. PICO's organizing model has proven to be a valuable tool for bringing immigrant and non-immigrant families together to address common community concerns; helping new immigrants become active, contributing citizens; and combating discrimination and exploitation of immigrants. PICO's immigrant organizing is changing the political landscape in communities across the country.
Responses to the Raids
In 2007, PICO organizations in communities where massive immigration raids took place - including United Interfaith Action in New Bedford, Massachusetts; Congregations Building Community in Greeley, Colorado; and Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization, People Acting in Community Together, Peninsula Interfaith Action, and Oakland Community Organizations, in the San Francisco Bay Area - organized religious leaders from across the country to demand a halt to the raids and to call on Congress to investigate ICE behavior.
Clergy, families and local mayors from PICO federations in California, Colorado, and Massachusetts traveled to Washington, D.C. in May 2007 to deliver a statement signed by more than 350 clergy from 38 states, to the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and key Congressional leaders.
National Policy
People and Congregations Together (PACT) in Stockton, California helped change language in the U.S. Patriot Act that had prevented members of the Hmong community from becoming citizens, applying for permanent resident status, and even attaining driver's licenses. President Bush signed the legislation, which included automatic relief for the Hmong and other groups that do not pose a threat to the United States, days after a massive rally of more than 1,800 Hmong members in Stockton.
Civic Leadership
Northern Valley Sponsoring Committee (NVSC), a PICO affiliate based in Sacramento, CA, has guided nearly 1,500 eligible immigrants through the grueling process of becoming U.S. citizens while training them to become leaders in their community. These new citizen leaders are putting their skills to work improving the drinking water in Colusa County, one of the poorest counties in California.
Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) in Kansas City, Missouri worked closely with the city's growing Latino immigrant community and Parks Department to reclaim abandoned parks as soccer fields. CCO assisted in the creation of 32 soccer leagues reaching over 1,500 young people.
Local Ordinances
Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) in southern California helped stop a proposal by the Santa Ana Police Department which would have given local police the ability to enforce federal immigration law. OCCCO leaders arranged a large community meeting with the Police Chief, where community members shared the public safety problems the city would face if immigrants were afraid to interact with the police. The Police Chief dropped the proposal after the meeting with OCCCO.
In-State Tuition Campaigns
In 2008, Metro Organizations for People (MOP) in Denver, Colorado took a lead role in establishing a diverse statewide coalition, the Higher Education Access Alliance, to promote equal access to higher education for undocumented students. The coalition includes 26 organizations, including tuition equity endorsements from the Colorado Education Association, Colorado Association of School Board Executives, University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, the Denver City Council, and the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. In January 2009, the Alliance introduced tuition equity legislation to secure access to instate tuition and state financial aid.