"ACCESS TO RELIGIOUS MINISTRY ACT" PASSES

Dear Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants,

I am delighted to share with you the wonderful news that the "Access to
Religious Ministry" bill unanimously passed the House and Senate
yesterday (see below.) There indeed is still a long way to go on this
Journey of Hope for immigrants, but as Advent approaches, passage of
this act is a hope-filled, concrete sign that we are beginning to see
the results of very, very many prayers and efforts. And now we are
assured that immigrant detainees will get the spiritual care they need
while they await the next step in their journeys. We will need your help
in implementing and putting into action this new law. Please call your
Senator and Representative to thank them for supporting this bill.

Thanks for all of your support! Praise God!

Peace,
Elena Segura
CCIR Director, esegura@archchicago.org


"ACCESS TO RELIGIOUS MINISTRY ACT" PASSES UNANIMOUSLY THE ILLINOIS
HOUSE AND SENATE
Thank you for all your prayers, and letters/phone calls to
legislatures! This is a crucial victory for the basic human rights of
immigrant detainees in county jails in Illinois, as this bill assures
them the same access to priests, nuns, ministers, rabbis, imams, and
other clergy as the criminal populations in these jails. The Sisters and
Brothers of Immigrants (in particular the Sisters of Mercy) and the
Priests for Justice for Immigrants were instrumental in introducing the
bill earlier this year and building grassroots support until the bill
passed in Springfield as HB 4613 (originally HB 2747). Many lay leaders
of the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform and the Catholic
Conference of Illinois also had important roles in this successful,
joint effort among many community-based and religious institutions

For background on the Lomas del Poleo situation check www.pasodelsur.com