Primera Iglesia Bautista Plano Receives Acreditation
In 2008, Pastor Moises Rios and Priscila Alvarenga of decided that they wanted to serve the immigrant community. Working with ISAAC over the past year, Rios and Alvarenga completed the recognition process for the church and accreditation process for themselves. A year later, the couple received the accreditation on behalf of the church. Earlier this month, the federal government granted recognition to Primera Iglesia Bautista Plano and accreditation to Rios and Alvarenga. Now, members of the community can go to Rios and Alvarenga for advice, counseling and guidance in regards to immigration.
Your church can do it too. Contact ISAAC Director Richard Munoz for more information at 214-828-5196 or e-mail him at RMunoz@buckner.org.
Why Don't Illegal Immigrants Apply for Citizenship and Become Legal?
 It isn't easy to become a citizen.
Generally speaking, only immigrants who are first Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs aka "green card holders") are allowed to become U.S. Citizens. To become an LPR, an immigrant must have an approved petition, meet strict numerical quotas and show that they have the means to support themselves.
Even if the immigrant meets these requirements, they must also show that they are not "inadmissible" or "deportable." Generally, if a person has entered the United States without inspection (EWI) they are inadmissible or if they have overstayed their visa period, they are considered deportable, meaning they can get deported even if they have a spouse or child who is legally living in the U.S.
The Pew Hispanic Center reported that 73 percent of the children of undocumented immigrants are U.S. citizens. The government has the option of granting waivers of inadmissibility in certain cases but court rulings have made these waivers extremely hard to obtain.
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 25:35-40 (CEV)
When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.
Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?"
The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."
 Blog Spotlight
Wedding Bells- Can Undocumented Immigrants get married in Texas?
Join Richard Munoz, director of ISAAC, as he discusses the circumstances under which illegal immigrants can get married in the United States.
Also, check out earlier posts on myths about immigrants and social security. |
