Immigration Justice Team

Purpose

The Immigration Justice Team (IJT) of the UUCUC Social Action Council was first formed to respond to the inhumane treatment of immigrants at the border. It has evolved to provide support for, and develop relationships with, our immigrant friends and neighbors in Champaign-Urbana.

We speak out against injustice on behalf of immigrants’ rights, work with other local immigrant justice organizations, and hope to be able to continue to provide hospitality and emergency refuge to our immigrant friends in need.

How Our Purpose fits the Mission of UUCUC

Build Community. Our team works with members and friends to provide a carrying community through our programs, particularly by setting up apartments for newly arriving immigrants and providing welcome/backpacks for unaccompanied minors. We work beyond our church community to make Champaign Urbana a more welcoming place by collaborating with our partners: CU Immigration Forum, Immigration Project, The Refugee Center, New American Welcome Center, and more.

Seek Inspiration. We are moved by acts of kindness and love TOWARD our immigrant friends and neighbors, and by the acts of kindness and love we receive FROM our immigrant friends and neighbors, many of whom are willing to share their joys and sorrows with us, and offer us good food, conversation, and friendship.

Promote Justice. Our Immigrant Justice Team advocates for a more just and humane national immigration policy by supporting the rights of immigrants crossing the border to seek asylum and making their way to Champaign Urbana. Our collaboration with the Community Alliance, a group of CU-based immigrant justice organizations, helps us promote justice for immigrants here at home. Our affiliation with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the National Immigrant Justice Center broadens our reach beyond our community.

Find Peace. Working to promote justice, seek inspiration, and build community helps us find peace in ourselves and our team. This peace helps us work in the turbulent, unjust landscape of bringing immigrant justice to our community, our state, and our country.

For more information please contact Pam Richart.