The newly formed UUSIC Immigration Issues Study and Action Group will be offering a series of classes on immigration issues during the February-March Welcome Home Wednesdays. The classes will be facilitated by Mary McMurray and Steve Locher, assisted by other group members. This initiative is in support of the UUA 2010-2014 Study and Action Issue, "Immigration as a Moral Issue." The classes are based on the UUA curriculum, with a strong focus on local issues and experiences.

Many of our study and action group members have significant prior experience with immigrants. They have:

• Participated in UUSIC sponsored field trips to Mexico and Guatemala

• Conducted educational activities

• Worked on the Sanctuary City Committee to clarify city policy on immigration issues

• Initiated monthly, community-wide networking for individuals and groups providing services to immigrant communities.

These experiences, combined with the group’s growing awareness of the tremendous challenges faced by immigrants in our own communities, led to our working to support the Iowa City Human Rights Commission’s recommendations, "Issues of Immigration and Building Safe Communities for All."

UUSIC, as a society with a mission to nurture social justice, can do much to achieve a more welcoming, safe, and socially just community here in Johnson County. Choosing effective actions involves learning about the people, their lived experience, the history, the laws, the international issues, the economics, the labor and class issues, and the politics.