White House Statement on Immigration

Statement from the White House on Immigration:

President Obama is deeply committed to fixing our immigration laws and has been aggressively searching for partners in Congress who are willing to work with him to pass a new law. As he focuses on building a new 21st century immigration system that meets our nation’s economic and security needs, the President has a responsibility to enforce the existing laws in a smart and effective manner. This means making decisions that best focus the resources that Congress gives the Executive Branch to do this work. There are more than 10 million people who are in the U.S. illegally; it’s clear that we can’t deport such a large number. So the Administration has developed a strategy to make sure we use those resources in a way that puts public safety and national security first. If you were running a law enforcement agency anywhere in the world, you would target those who pose the greatest harm before those who do not. Our immigration enforcement work is focused the same way.

Under the President’s direction, for the first time ever the Department of Homeland Security has prioritized the removal of people who have been convicted of crimes in the United States. And they have succeeded; in 2010 DHS removed 79,000 more people who had been convicted of a crime compared to 2008. Today, they announced that they are strengthening their ability to target criminals even further by making sure they are not focusing our resources on deporting people who are low priorities for deportation. This includes individuals such as young people who were brought to this country as small children, and who know no other home. It also includes individuals such as military veterans and the spouses of active-duty military personnel. It makes no sense to spend our enforcement resources on these low-priority cases when they could be used with more impact on others, including individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes.

So DHS, along with the Department of Justice, will be reviewing the current deportation caseload to clear out low-priority cases on a case-by-case basis and make more room to deport people who have been convicted of crimes or pose a security risk. And they will take steps to keep low-priority cases out of the deportation pipeline in the first place. They will be applying common sense guidelines to make these decisions, like a person’s ties and contributions to the community, their family relationships and military service record. In the end, this means more immigration enforcement pressure where it counts the most, and less where it doesn’t – that’s the smartest way to follow the law while we stay focused on working with the Congress to fix it.

Cecilia Muñoz is White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs

Walk to End Homelessness

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program has been fortunate to have the support of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles since our inception in 1983. We would like to ask you to help us in supporting the incredible work they are doing in ending homelessness. As many of you know, we have more people living on our streets than any other region in the country. United Way is committed to ending homelessness, and we know this is only possible through collaboration with community partners like you.

With that, we're pleased to share that registration for our 5th annual HomeWalk is now open! HomeWalk is United Way's 5K walk to raise awareness and funds to end homelessness, and it's the only walk of its kind in the country. We hope you will join us this year to be a part of this incredible movement. The 5K walk and run will take place on Saturday, November 19th at Exposition Park. During the past four years, HomeWalk has mobilized over 18,000 walkers, raised $1.7 million, and funded programs that have moved thousands of people into permanent housing. Registration is also free for anyone under 18 years of age.

If you have any questions about HomeWalk, please contact Melissa Chinchilla at 213-808-6233 or mchinchilla@unitedwayla.org. Thank you for your partnership in creating pathways out of poverty and ending homelessness in our communities for good.

Help the Ramirez Family

Tragically, parishioner Esmeralda Ramirez was killed by a drunk driver Sunday while walking to Mass at St. John the Baptist.

She was only 24 and a graduate of Sierra Vista High School.

A trust fund has been set up for the family's financial needs in coping with this tragedy. Cecks can be made out to St. John the Baptist Church and designated "For Esmeralda Ramirez" in the memo line. Donations can be dropped off at the parish office (around the corner from Social Services).

Energy Upgrade

Southern California Edison is holding a Energy Upgrade CA kick-off on Wednesday, August 24 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Esther Snyder Community Center, Adobe Room, Mogran Park, 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park.

There will be county and utility displays and booths on rebates and incentives, going solar, and landscape imprvements.

The LA County Summer Special Rebate of up to $6,000 ends on Labor Day.

www.sgvcog.org/energyupgrade

(626) 457-1800

Free Lamp Exchange

Southern California Edison is holding a lamp exchange where you can trade up top 10 lamps for new energy efficient flourescent lamps.

They will also recycle your old flourescent tubes.

Saturdaya dn Sunday, September 24-25, 8 am to 1 pm

Kmart parking lot
1162 North Citrus Avenue
Covina, CA 91722

www.scelampexchange.com
1-800-865-6483