JALSA in Shalom Magazine on the Jewish Responsibility to Immigrant Justice

Full article in Shalom Magazine at this link.

“Jews Against ICE” and the Jewish Responsibility to Defend Immigrant Justice
By Cindy Rowe

Leviticus 19:16 instructs that we cannot stand idly by when the well-being of our neighbor is threatened. Our immigrant neighbors, who contribute so much to the fabric of our communities, are not being treated with the dignity, the respect, and the constitutional legal protections that they deserve. As a Jewish community, we should be especially motivated to speak out given that immigration to the United States plays such a large role in most of our families’ stories.

These most basic tenets of our democracy, as well as our deeply-held faith-based values, are being violated by an ICE agency that is operating without regard for the rule of law, and we must stand up in this moment to protect the dignity of all human beings. Indeed, the Torah instructs us to “welcome the stranger” at least thirty-six times! It is clearly a foundational message that we must put into practice.

At this point, we’ve all seen too many videos of ICE agents grabbing people off of city sidewalks, escalating confrontations with peaceful protestors, and, tragically, much worse. Earlier this year, in the cases of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, we have also borne witness to American citizens being killed by ICE agents.

This unlawful and frightening conduct by ICE has led to people being terrified to go to work, send kids to school, seek medical care, and on and on. ICE is even targeting immigrants when they attend immigration hearings as part of their citizenship process.

In accordance with our obligation to defend immigrants, the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) has taken on a central role in working with local and national organizations. During Tisha B’Av, JALSA was joined by 30 Jewish organizations and congregations across Massachusetts to assemble outside the regional ICE headquarters in Burlington, MA. More than 400 Jewish community members gathered to amplify the message of building sanctuary, standing up for the rule of law and our civil liberties, and of adhering to the Jewish value of Kavod HaBriyot (honoring the dignity of all human beings).

JALSA also worked with T'ruah, Bend the Arc Jewish Action, Minneapolis-based Jewish Community Action, and many other organizations taking part in the “Jews Against ICE” day of protests around the nation earlier this year. Along with partner actions in Minnesota and Washington, DC, hundreds of JALSA members and allies once again gathered in Burlington to condemn ICE's actions.

JALSA is also organizing folks to get involved with local efforts like “Bearing Witness,” which gathers weekly outside of the regional ICE headquarters, and “De-ICE Hanscom,” which organizes peaceful standouts with the goal of eliminating ICE transport flights from Hanscom Field that deny immigrants their due process rights in Massachusetts.

In addition to using our First Amendment rights to peaceably assemble and protest in defense of these values, we must also work toward justice by improving our laws. Currently, there are a number of provisions proposed by the Governor and Legislature being considered that will help Massachusetts achieve justice for our immigrant neighbors by making sure our Massachusetts state and local police do not collaborate with ICE and that we fund legal defense. We will also be taking actions against corporations that are supporting ICE in carrying out its activities. To learn more about these legislative priorities and other JALSA actions, visit www.JALSA.org and sign up for our weekly Action Alert e-newsletter.

This is a moment that cries out to us to act on our moral and faith-based values. It is our duty to speak out and call out the abuses of ICE, and do all we can to defend the rule of law, prevent mass deportations, and uphold democracy.