Suggestions to prepare to call DHS:
1. Review Max's life story at: http://www.firstmennoniteiowacity.org/special-announcements-max.html
(provided by First Mennonite Church, Iowa City )
2. Review the report by David Boshart of his pastoral visit to Max on March 31, 2015, at:
http://www.centralplainsmc.org/max-villatoro/a-pastoral-visit-with-max
3. Spend a few minutes in prayer contemplating the above information.
4. Call Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson's office at (202) 282-8203 and express your concerns. Put the talking points into your own words; don't read from a script.
Remember, this call may be important both for any future reconsideration for Max, as well as for other persons in similar situations.
Additional sources of information:
Read the excellent report from MCC entitled "Worst of the Worst" at: http://mcc.org/media/resources/2068
which includes documentation for these summary points:
a. Few of those targeted by Operation Cross Check (the deportation sweep by ICE) were the “worst of the worst” criminals
b. The majority of individuals apprehended represent NO plausible threat to public safety or national security
c. Nearly half of those picked up (47 percent, 960 individuals) had only misdemeanor convictions
d. Of those with felony convictions, 476 were for immigration-related violations not involving violence
e. ICE appears to be giving no consideration to the severity of a criminal offense, how long ago it was committed, or how strong an individual’s ties are to family or the community
f. ICE is not properly exercising prosecutorial discretion in the manner in which it was directed by November 2014 guidelines
g. Although there is a bipartisan effort in Congress to reduce sentences for low-level crimes, ICE appears to be moving in the opposite direction for immigration infractions
h. ICE officers may be using questionable tactics, including entering homes using trickery or false pretenses
ICE Sweeps Up Minor Offenders with Families, Using Heavy-Handed Approach
http://immigrationimpact.com/2015/03/13/ice-sweeps-up-minor-offenders-with-families-using-heavy-handed-approach/
ICE arrests 2,000 persons but none involved in terrorism, and few involved in any violent crime
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-immigration-arrests-deportations-20150309-story.html
1. Review Max's life story at: http://www.firstmennoniteiowacity.org/special-announcements-max.html
(provided by First Mennonite Church, Iowa City )
2. Review the report by David Boshart of his pastoral visit to Max on March 31, 2015, at:
http://www.centralplainsmc.org/max-villatoro/a-pastoral-visit-with-max
3. Spend a few minutes in prayer contemplating the above information.
4. Call Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson's office at (202) 282-8203 and express your concerns. Put the talking points into your own words; don't read from a script.
Remember, this call may be important both for any future reconsideration for Max, as well as for other persons in similar situations.
Additional sources of information:
Read the excellent report from MCC entitled "Worst of the Worst" at: http://mcc.org/media/resources/2068
which includes documentation for these summary points:
a. Few of those targeted by Operation Cross Check (the deportation sweep by ICE) were the “worst of the worst” criminals
b. The majority of individuals apprehended represent NO plausible threat to public safety or national security
c. Nearly half of those picked up (47 percent, 960 individuals) had only misdemeanor convictions
d. Of those with felony convictions, 476 were for immigration-related violations not involving violence
e. ICE appears to be giving no consideration to the severity of a criminal offense, how long ago it was committed, or how strong an individual’s ties are to family or the community
f. ICE is not properly exercising prosecutorial discretion in the manner in which it was directed by November 2014 guidelines
g. Although there is a bipartisan effort in Congress to reduce sentences for low-level crimes, ICE appears to be moving in the opposite direction for immigration infractions
h. ICE officers may be using questionable tactics, including entering homes using trickery or false pretenses
ICE Sweeps Up Minor Offenders with Families, Using Heavy-Handed Approach
http://immigrationimpact.com/2015/03/13/ice-sweeps-up-minor-offenders-with-families-using-heavy-handed-approach/
ICE arrests 2,000 persons but none involved in terrorism, and few involved in any violent crime
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-immigration-arrests-deportations-20150309-story.html