WANTED: Churches to start literacy missions focused on immigrants.

Lester Meriwether is a persistant man. That is a good thing since he is the Director of Literacy ConneXus, a non-profit organization, dedicated to helping churches help people with literacy needs. Several months ago, Lester and I began discussing ways to collaborate. It seemed that an ESL or citizenship class component could be one ministry option that ISAAC could provide churches. After several weeks of prayer and discussion, Literacy ConneXus and ISAAC are finalizing the details of an ambitious plan: We want to start 10 new literacy projects geared toward immigrants at 10 different churches in Texas by the end of the year.

So how do we get started? Rather than "package" a program, Literacy ConneXus and ISAAC would like to meet with your church leadership and assess the needs of the church and community first. With that tool, we can then tailor a ministry plan for your church. So if you believe your church is ready to be one of the first 10 in this new pilot project, please either email Lester@literacyconnexus.org or richard.munoz@bgct.org.

We welcome the opportunity to work with you!

Judge blocks new Texas DPS immigrant DL Rules

A state judge blocked the Texas Department of Public Safety from continuing to enforce new rules that were designed to prevent undocumented immigrants from obtaining licenses but which were also preventing legal immigrants from getting them. You can read the article here. You can also read a more detailed look at the DPS rules in the December 2008 ISAAC Newsletter.

According to the article, "The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund sued on behalf of five people who have permission to work in the country and a landscaping business that employs seasonal workers through a federal program. MALDEF said its clients needed to drive as part of their jobs but couldn't get a license under the new policies because their visas are valid for only 10 months."

If the ruling stands, legal immigrants, who otherwise qualify and have a valid visa, will be able to obtain a drivers license.

Facts are stubborn things: Texas AG Opinion on "Sanctuary Cities"

President John Adams allegedly said, "Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."

Passions get stirred up when people think about the so-called "sanctuary cities." In response to this letter from Texas Representative Frank J. Corte, Jr., Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued this official Opinion on "local government policies that hinder enforcement of federal immigration laws." In this opinion, Attorney General Abbott concluded that the:

Texas Legislature is not prohibited from adopting some form of legislation designed to compel local governments to comply with any duties they may have under federal immigration laws, so long as such legislation is not inconsistent with federal law.

I do not quibble with the legal conclusion. Rather, I want to stress this opinion does not require local governments to report illegal aliens. Rather it simply recites a correct statement of law. Federal law prohibits states, counties, and cities from restricting their employees from relaying information about someone’s immigration status to the proper federal authorities. The Texas Legislature can also pass legislation to compel local governments to comply with any existing duties they have under federal immigration laws. The Opinion should not be read to create or impose any new duties to report some one's immigration status. For a more in depth discussion about the so-called "sanctuary city", click here.