Support the Racine Immigrant Support Initiative

 The Racine Immigrant Support Initiative is a collaborative effort of the Racine Interfaith Coalition (RIC) Immigration Task Force, Racine League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 339, Emaus ELCA and other organizations and churches. Funds will be collected and held specifically by RIC for the purpose of supporting immigrant families. 

Individuals and families in our community are experiencing unprecedented hardship because of the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the nation. This is not only a public health crisis but also an economic and humanitarian one.  Businesses are shut down and individuals have lost their ability to pay for basic necessities such as food, housing and utilities.

Federal and state agencies are attempting to alleviate some of the financial burden by providing extended unemployment insurance, paid sick leave and one-time direct payments. One group, however, will not be helped by these efforts: our immigrant brothers and sisters. 

Although they have lived in our community for years, are taxpayers and some even own their own businesses, undocumented immigrants generally are not eligible to receive federal and state benefits. They also are fearful of applying for aid, even if they or their children might be eligible, because of recent executive orders that threaten to deport even legal permanent residents who are considered a "public charge." 

Because of these and other factors, there is a humanitarian crisis unfolding as our immigrant brothers and sisters find it especially difficult to ensure that their families stay safe and healthy during this long period of forced isolation. 

We'll keep doing whatever we can to help the immigrant families in our community. Through our Immigrant Support Initiative, RIC offers some respite to the families and helps them understand their legal rights. We also assist with paperwork.

 We are almost finished with the DO criteria for Recognition and Accreditation for the Immigration Legal Services Project at RIC. The final mentorship opportunity we require to proceed has been generously offered by a Milwaukee lawyer. The same attorney has informed us that he participates in a free walk-in clinic every Wednesday at Marquette University, which is open to the public. Please visit https://law.marquette.edu/mvc/ for more information. Sue Spicer and Linda Boyle keep giving presentations on issues affecting immigration. If you would like a presentation offered to your organization, please email us.