We are proud to share with you that the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has joined with a multifaith coalition and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection to bring a lawsuit challenging Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) “sensitive locations policy.” The case, Mennonite Church USA et al. v. United States Department of Homeland Security et al., was filed in federal district court in Washington, DC. Churches, as well as schools and hospitals, had previously been protected from ICE enforcement actions, but a Department of Homeland Security memo rescinded that protection on January 20th.

UUA, Other Religious Groups Sue Trump Administration to Halt Immigration Arrests at Houses of Worship

We join this multifaith coalition, representing millions of Americans across dozens of denominations, to challenge the ending of ICE’s sensitive locations.

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At First UU

What does it mean to be a neighbor? In a time when immigrant families in our community face increasing danger, and we are witnessing violations of constitutional rights by ICE, our UU values call us to do more than witness. It’s time to act.

Join us for Immigrant Solidarity Organizing, a First UU gathering rooted in faith and grounded in practical action. We’ll hear from organizers and advocates working on the frontlines of immigration enforcement and resistance in Richmond and throughout Virginia. We’ll explore what solidarity looks like through a UU lens, including honest conversation about risk, trust, and where each of us might stand on the spectrum of engagement. And we’ll learn about concrete ways to help, from low-barrier options to deeper commitments.

Whether you’re new to immigrant solidarity or looking to deepen your involvement, this is an open invitation to First UU members, friends, and community members to find your place in this work.
Come ready to listen, reflect, and take the next step.

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Outreach Beyond First UU

Amica Center is collaborating with the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration on an Immigration Court Observation and Awareness Project. This is a new opportunity for volunteers to learn firsthand about the immigration court system, while helping identify patterns and practices that will inform advocacy to support access to legal counsel and due process rights for noncitizens. Volunteers will observe several master calendar hearings, which are short preliminary hearings in immigration court and will record their observations using the provided forms. Volunteers can observe remotely via Webex. There is a required 2-3 hour virtual, self-paced training. Please contact Taylor Rivera Stone

Volunteering to Assist Amica Center for Immigration

At our recent PAUR meeting we heard from Taylor Rivera Stone, from the Amica Center for Immigration.  She told us about two volunteer opportunities to assist their work in supporting detained immigrants in Virginia.  One volunteer opportunity was to be trained to meet released immigrant detainees from Virginia detention centers at a pre-arranged meeting site where ICE is dropping them off.   The other opportunity is to remotely observe immigration court hearings and record the information learned about the detained individuals name, location, and result of hearing.  Amica Center coordinates these volunteers and will offer volunteer training virtually.