When Keeping Quiet Breaks the Law
Are you Required to Report Illegal Immigrants?
Whether or not an individual is required by law to turn in an illegal immigrant depends on a few factors.
There are general duties that the law puts on a private citizen as a matter of social policy. These are called "affirmative" duties. For example, Texas Family Code, Chapter 5, Section 261 .101(a) states:
A person having cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect by any person shall immediately make a report as provided by this subchapter. (emphasis added).
Failure to report suspected child abuse in Texas is a Class B misdemeanor. Immigration, on the other hand, is the province of federal law. Currently, there is no affirmative duty under Federal law that requires a private citizen to report the presence of an illegal immigrant.
The situation changes somewhat in the employment context. All employers are required to verify the immigration status of their employees using Form I-9. Additionally, some employers of non-immigrant visa holders, such as H-2A visas, are required to report employees that abscond or leave their job.
Additionally, states, counties and cities are prohibited from preventing their employees from notifying immigration authorities about undocumented immigrants.
Additionally, those who wish to report undocumented immigrants can do so by calling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Learn more about how your church or organization can help individuals follow the legal path to citizenship. Contact ISAAC Director Richard Muñoz to learn more at RMunoz@buckner.org.
ISAAC Project Catches On in the Sunshine State
 ISAAC might soon emerge outside Texas.
Richard Muñoz, director of ISAAC met with a group of people in Leesburg, Florida to discuss the first-ever immigration conference at the church.
Pastor Pedro Gonzalez of Tampa, Florida and Dr. Herman Rios, director of Language Evangelism and Stewardship for the Florida Baptist Convention directed the meeting.
Above right, attendees gather at the first immigration conference at the First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Florida. One pastor said he wanted to be the first to host an ISAAC Project in Florida.
 Blog Spotlight
WANTED: Churches to start immigrant-focused literacy missions
Join Richard Munoz, director of ISAAC, as he discusses how your church can participate in literacy missions. He will also discuss ISAAC's developing relationship with Literacy ConneXus and learn.
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