Greetings,
Welcome back! This month we will share about new works within the ISAAC Network, give you a primer on Human Trafficking and the T-Visa, provide a calendar of third-party trainings and report timely news about immigration issues.

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to others or ask them to sign up at www.isaacproject.org. Also, if you have immigration news you would like to share, contact richard.munoz@bgct.org.

First Baptist Church of Duncanville-a heart for ministry

This Monday night at First Baptist Church Duncanville was busy. The church hosted a men's prayer meeting, church visitation, ESL classes and a range of other ministries.  Among the activities, I was blessed to meet with a core group of seven people that have been moved to start an ISAAC ministry at the church. The group led by Lee Rickaway, the church's Education Minister, knows that a great deal of training and planning is involved. Nevertheless, they have responded to the call and have begun the long process of federal "recognition" and started training to become accredited representatives. Please keep them in your prayers!

Update: Primera Iglesia de Plano

At the end of this month, Primera Iglesia de Plano will be submitting its recognition application and will be applying for the partial accreditation of Moises Rios and Priscilla Alvarenga. Please pray that the BIA grant their applications. We will keep you posted on their progress.

ISAAC EDUCATION:

Facts about Immigration:  Separating the wheat from chaff (Luke 3:17).

Human Trafficking and the T-Visa:

Slavery still exists? That's a question that comes up from time to time. Sadly, the answer is yes. The U.S. Congress requires the State Department to submit an annual report each year on "foreign governments' efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons."  The Report, now the 8th annual one, states:

The International Labor Organization (ILO)-the United Nations agency charged with addressing labor standards, employment, and social protection issues-estimates that there are 12.3 million people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude at any given time; other estimates range from 4 million to 27 million. You can read the entire report here.

It is estimated that between 14,500 and 17,500 persons are trafficked into the United States each year. Click here to learn more.

Additionally, the Report states that Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney's offices "initiated 182 investigations, charged 89 individuals, and obtained 103 convictions in cases involving human trafficking" in the United States during fiscal year 2007.

Because of the nature of human trafficking, its victims generally do not have authorization to remain in the United States and are subject deportation. This creates two problems:  1) the deportation of the victim deprives the prosecution of a crucial witness in its case against the traffickers; and 2) the victim could be victimized again in their home country by the same trafficking organization.

In an effort to provide relief to the victims and aid in the prosecution of these modern day slave traders, Congress authorized the "T-Visa."  To qualify for the T-Visa, the following must be met:
1)  The victim must have been subjected to "severe trafficking."

2)   The victim must be physically present in the United States.

3)   The Attorney General or Secretary of DHS must agree that the victim complied with a reasonable request by a Federal, State, or Local law enforcement agency to assist in the investigation or prosecution of such trafficking.

4)  The victim must be in a situation in which he or she would suffer "extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm upon removal" from the United States.

The Code of Federal Regulations defines "severe trafficking" as either a commercial sex act that is induced by force, fraud, or coercion (sex trafficking) or the recruitment, harboring, or other acts of obtaining persons or labor by force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose subjection to slavery, debt bondage, or involuntary servitude ("labor trafficking").  See generally 8 C.F.R. §214.11(a). The T-visa also requires the victim to cooperate with law enforcement's "reasonable request" to assist in the investigation or prosecution of the trafficking. Click here to read a good discussion about the T-Visa.

There are many groups and coalitions that help social service and faith-based agencies identify victims of human trafficking. Click here to access a "tool kit" that can help you identify victims of human trafficking.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas, through its Restorative Justice Ministries, also provides information and help for churches in this area. For further information, please contact Ms. Tomi Grover at tomi.grover@bgct.org.

Click here to read an article about an excellent "rockumentary" on the subject of Human Trafficking.

Please pray for the victims of human trafficking and pray for the end of this horrible practice.

National News

NPR Q&A with DHS Director Napolitano

30,000 Haitians ordered deported

Immigration a hot issue in the Texas Legislature

US. Passport applicants challenged on birth documents

Greater Houston Area ESL- NEW!
Ministry Conference
March 6-7, 2009
Champion Forest Baptist Church
15555 Stuebner Airline Road
Houston, TX 77069

The Greater Houston Area ESL is a two-day conference for those who teach ESL to internationals, immigrants and refugees through churches and universities.  

For questions and to request further information contact Lester Meriwether with Literacy ConneXus, Inc. at (817) 696-9898 or e-mail her at Lester@literacyconnexus.org. You can also contact Kathleen Yarborough at (713) 661-2650 or e-mail her at Kathleen@amchouston.com

Practicing Law Institute
Basic Immigration Law 2009
March 13, 2009
PLI New York Center-New York, NY
For more information, click here.

CLINIC
For the 2009 training schedule, click here.

State Bar of Texas
Nuts & Bolts of Immigration Law 2009
Houston - Feb. 25, 2009
Click here for details.

National Immigration Law Project
Click here for a calendar of events.

"Never stop praying, especially for others"  Ephesians 6:18a (CEV). 

We get many calls from individuals who need prayer regarding their immigration situation. Please pray for these people and that the Lord's will be done. Additionally, if you have a prayer request and would like it included on this prayer list, please send it to us. Our current prayer list is:

That's it for this month.  Feel free to forward this newsletter to others or ask them to sign up at www.isaacproject.org. Also, if you have immigration news you would like to share, please contact ISAAC Director Richard Muñoz at richard.munoz@bgct.org.