Republican and Democratic candidates for federal office committed to advance reforms in immigration, childcare access, and humanitarian parole.  State issues included access to drivers’ licenses and unemployment insurance, and preservation of ballot initiatives. All issues emerged from a conversation campaign of over 150 meetings across the state. 

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Nearly 400 leaders of Omaha Together One Community (OTOC) member institutions met Sunday (Oct. 20) at St. Pius X Catholic Church with eleven candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and State Legislature as OTOC sought commitments to support solutions on key issues important to the membership....

OTOC leaders presented their personal stories illustrating the need for: the creation of pathways to permanency for long-term immigrant Nebraskans; the reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant program to expand access to childcare; and for the creation of a humanitarian parole program for the Sudanese.  Representative Don Bacon, State Senator Tony Vargas, and Preston Love Jr. unanimously supported all three Federal OTOC initiatives.

OTOC leaders again presented State Legislative candidates with their personal stories illustrating the need for: expanding drivers’ licenses to all Nebraska residents; expanding access to unemployment insurance for all work-authorized Nebraskans; and protecting the role of citizens by preserving the ballot initiative process.... 

[Photo Credit: Cass Opal]

Photo Gallery

In a Tight Presidential Race, Omaha is Basking in its Political Relevance, New York Times [pdf]

Candidates Commit to Pro-Immigrant Causes at Omaha Coalition's Accountability Session, KETV 7 Omaha [pdf]

Nonpartisan Organization Omaha Together One Community Hosts a Candidate Accountability Session, KMTV 3 Omaha [pdf]

OTOC Agenda Gets Unanimous Support at Candidates Accountability Session, OTOC

After Texas legislators passed the anti-immigrant Senate Bill 4, Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI) leaders didn’t lose hope. Instead, they reached out directly to the Dallas Police Department, engaging them in outreach to parishes and neighborhoods. Police Chief Eddie García responded by joining 50+ DAI leaders for two neighborhood walks, knocking on doors in immigrant communities to listen to residents' stories and reassure them of their ability to trust local law enforcement.

At St. Pius X Catholic Church, Chief García joined Bishop Greg Kelly, Gloria Lam, and Fr. Salvador Guzman, who organized the walk. A second walk, hosted by Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, was led by Frays Angel Rios and Pedro Romero.

As Chief García transitions out of law enforcement, the Dallas Morning News highlighted his involvement in efforts like these as "interactions [that] created momentum" in building trust between the police and immigrants.

On Saturday, October 5th, 35 Catholic clergy and lay leaders from 14 Tucson parishes gathered at St. Cyril’s of Alexandria Catholic Church for a Parish Leadership Training on immigration, organized by Pima County Interfaith. This was more than just a meeting—it was a strategic organizing session aimed at confronting one of the most urgent challenges facing their communities: the protection of immigrant families.

Tucson Bishop Edward Weisenburger and Joanna Williams, Executive Director of Kino Border Initiative, anchored the day in Catholic Social Teaching, emphasizing the defense of immigrant rights and human dignity. Their message was unambiguous: protecting immigrant families is both a moral duty and an organizing challenge for parish leaders.  The day also included a critical analysis of Arizona’s Proposition 314, a ballot measure that would give federal immigration enforcement powers to local law enforcement, threatening civil liberties. Arizona Catholic Bishops have strongly opposed the proposition. 

Organizers led hands-on trainings, equipping leaders with practical strategies to build power within parishes and strengthen their organizing capacity.  This effort was part of the West/Southwest IAF’s Recognizing the Stranger initiative, launched in 2017 with support from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Diocese of Tucson.

Diverse rural, urban, agriculture, health care, hospitality, education, construction, business, labor, faith, immigrant & community groups urge action

[Excerpts from Press Release]

“This effort was built upon hundreds of conversations, as well as longstanding relationships across our state and across many different sectors,” said Denise Bowyer, a leader with Omaha Together One Community, a 30-year old organization made up of community and faith institutions. “It has been truly inspiring to see the strong alignment on forward-looking solutions from so many perspectives. There are striking common themes in our communities that illustrate the need for workable solutions that uphold our values and move us forward together.”

“Immigrant Nebraskans have long been part of the fabric of local families, communities, and workplaces. Together we build the good life, but unfortunately our federal immigration laws are decades out of date, which creates instability for families, children, communities, employers – for all of us,” said Bryan Slone, President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 

“Now as baby boomers are retiring, we’re seeing workforce strain across sectors and unfilled jobs that impact each and every Nebraska industry, and each and every one of us for the services and infrastructure we need to count on. Trends indicate we’re only at the beginning of this challenge and urgently need positive solutions for Nebraska’s future.”

“The economic, social, and cultural contributions of immigrant community members are vital to Nebraska’s future”, said Lina Traslaviña Stover, Executive Director of Heartland Workers Center, and OTOC Leader. “Immigrants play a key role in supporting Nebraska’s agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries – which are essential to the state’s economy – as well as so many other health care, education, and community roles. Immigrant Nebraskans enrich local communities. Developing systems that provide attainable legal pathways for migration is crucial for ensuring Nebraska’s community and economic well-being.”

On this International Worker's Day, Coloradans for the Common Good (CCG) leaders, led by members of Centro de los Trabajadores, and labor allies celebrated a major step forward in the protection of immigrant workers. 

At the urging of CCG and labor allies, Denver City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to extend subpoena power to the Denver Auditor in matters of wage investigations. Companies accused of wage theft may no longer simply pay a small fine and move on when accused.  This power means stronger enforcement of Denver's wage protections and more money for the workers who earned it.

This victory was built on hundreds of conversations with immigrant workers who shared painful stories of wage theft and disrespect in the workplace. 

On Thursday April 18th VOICE-OKC hosted a press conference denouncing the passage of HB 4156 and the way it opens the door for targeting members within Latino communities, regardless of their documented status.  Those in opposition include the Most Rev. Paul S Coakley, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Fr. Tim Luschen of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, the Rev. Dr. Lori Walke of Mayflower Congregational Church and 20 other pastors across the state.  

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About six years ago, AMOS asked families what kept them up at night. Parents said they needed services for children in mental health crises.

“Kids were waiting months to see a therapist. They were not getting what they need from a system designed for adults,” said Crystal Loving, of First Unitarian Church. A child in the midst of a mental health crisis would be handcuffed, put in the backseat of a police car, and enter the juvenile justice system rather than get the mental health care that was needed."

On Saturday April 15th, over 200 people from 41 institutions and 6 deaneries participated in 'Recognizing the Stranger' parish leadership training in collaboration with the Archdiocese of San Antonio.  The session was conducted in English and in Spanish, and included 15 clergy and two bishops.  Spanish speaking leaders expressed a strong desire to organize their parishes.

A major theme developed over the course of the sessions was that the Church is not a parking lot and that Mission is key element of the one's faith.  Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller told participants that the Church needs their leadership because clergy cannot do what lay leaders can.

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They say it’s time for Nebraska to aggressively recruit internationally to grow its workforce — in other words, welcome immigrants....

Over 300 leaders, clergy, religious, and bishops from 20 organizations gathered last week in San Antonio to celebrate five years of Recognizing the Stranger, a West/Southwest IAF training, leadership formation, and parish organizing strategy. 

The Convocation was highlighted by a video message from Pope Francis, who offered his “closeness and support” to the IAF network and its work to organize with immigrants and with those at the margins to encourage “participation of the Christian in public life.”