America's Voice Speaks Up for Immigrant Rights in Natick

Natick, MA - Patty Kupfer of America's Voice was the keynote speaker at an event sponsored by Pax Christi and several faith organizations in the Metrowest area on Monday, Oct 20th at the Natick Library. She spoke about the importance of caring for immigrants and related their plight to one of the most famous migrants, Jesus. Much of his narrative is a plea to followers to welcome and assist the traveler and the stranger.

Ms. Kupfer talked a bit about her background with Witness for Peace in Mexico and the reasons that migrants take such big risks to come to America. She described her newly formed organization, America's Voice: an umbrella organization to build the power needed among religious leaders and organizations to pass fair and humane immigration reform.

Aileen Montour of Welcoming Massachusetts (a statewide program to welcome and support immigrants) from the Arlington St. UU church spoke briefly about their plan. And along with Diane Bell from Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy coalition (MIRA) distributed postcards that people could sign to shhow their support for MIRA.

Approximately 75 people attended and were given an opportunity to ask questions of Ms. Kupfer. One question was "how do they get a Social Security card? How do they pay taxes?" Another question was, "If its true that US trade policies contribute to the poverty and lack of economic opportunities in less developed countries, does your organization work on those issues as well?" Ms. Kupfer said that besides CAFTA and other US policies that contribute to the problem, there is plenty of greed and corruption in those countries without our help. It is a concern, but our goal now is to work towards humane immigration policies that will help the current generation of immigrant families.

Ms. Kupfer said they were optimistic about immigration reform last year, but now foresee that it will take perhaps 2-3 years to implement meaningful immigration reform. That gives all of us time to learn, educate and develop a powerful base of support when reform legislation is brought up again.