CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—January 27, 2017. Chicago Alderman Joe Moore will be joining other elected official colleagues and community organizations to sponsor another ‘Know Your Rights Information Workshop’ for immigrants, refugees, their friends and supporters and concerned neighborhood residents. The workshop will take place this Sunday, January 29th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Sullivan High School auditorium, 6631 N. Bosworth in Chicago.
This workshop is taking place in the wake of President Donald Trump’s alarming decision this week to issue an “executive order” that calls for stepped-up deportation efforts and the hiring of 10,000 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The executive order also affirms that it is now U.S. policy for local law enforcement officers to act as immigration officers whenever possible and prohibits any city that declares itself a sanctuary city from receiving federal funds.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago City Council, have stood their ground and reaffirmed there pledge to keep Chicago a “sanctuary city” where city employees, including police officers, are prohibited from reporting undocumented immigrants to the federal government.
Despite Chicago’s best efforts, immigrants and refugees, regardless of their legal status, and those of us who are native born U.S. citizens, have a right to be concerned. In light of the current political climate, it is imperative that everyone know their rights if they are confronted by a law enforcement official.
Press reports indicate that Trump is poised to sign another executive order prohibiting immigration from some predominantly Islamic countries, including Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. In light of this fact, the workshop presentations this Sunday will focus on immigrants and refugees from those countries, but everyone is invited.
Experts from organizations that represent and advocate for immigrants in our nation will be on hand to provide you with the latest information on your rights, explain the action plan they have developed and respond to your questions. The experts include:
Susan Adeeb, Senior Services Case Manager, Iraqi Mutual Aid Society
Fred Tsao, Senior Policy Counsel, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Rebecca Ramirez, Director, Multicultural Resource Center, Northside Community Resources
Simultaneous translation of the workshop in English and Arabic will be offered.
Joining Alderman Moore as co-sponsors for this workshop are: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Senator Heather Steans, State Representative Kelly Cassidy, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Iraqi Mutual Aid Society, National Immigrant Justice Center, Northside Community Resources, and Syrian Community Network.
There are plans to offer additional informational workshops for other immigrant communities in the weeks ahead.
Source: Alderman Joe Moore
