Greetings,
"Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree."
-- Charlotte Carpenter

Merry Christmas and welcome to the December edition of the ISAAC Report! Thank you for spending time with us. We have a special "Separating the Wheat from the Chaff" issue on driver's licenses as well as news from the ISAAC Network, immigration issues in the news and a growing prayer list. Please read further!

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.

Philemon Project:  Using Technology to bring families closer together.

In the letter of Philemon, Paul finds himself in a dilemma; Onesimus is a runaway slave and faces severe legal penalties from his owner, Philemon. In his epistle, Paul skillfully shows that he could minister to both Onesimus and Philemon under the law of God and man. Similarly at ISAAC, we are creating a network of pastors, missionaries and churches here and in other countries to minister to families affected by deportation and removal. One way we are seeking to do this is by using technology to bring separated families closer together. With web-cams and DSL, we can easily set up a video conference ministry where families can connect this time of year at participating churches.

We need your help, however. If you know of a church that has a family affected by deportation and have a contact in a church in the deported family member's home country, please let us know. We would like to help set up this new ministry and help these families stay in touch.

Congratulations to the Baptist Immigration Center of Plano on their 2nd Year Anniversary!

Hearty congratulations and wishes for many more years of service go out to Gloria Granados and the Baptist Immigration Center of Plano. We wish them continued success and that the Lord continue to bless their work.

Now you can donate to ISAAC online!

Over the last year, immigrants have been served, new works have been started, and lives have been changed because of your generosity. ISAAC thanks you!

Now, to facilitate giving, we are pleased to announce that you can make a designated donation on our Web site: www.isaacproject.org. Just click on the "Donate" tab and select "Donate online."  It is quick and simple. ISAAC is a collaborative ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Buckner Children and Family Services. Remember that your gift is tax deductible.

Want to intern with Baptist Immigration Services of Brownwood?

If you are training to become an accredited representative and would like some hands-on experience, please consider contacting the Baptist Immigration Services of Brownwood.  Director Jesus Romero could definitely use your help. You may contact him at jromero@hputx.edu.

ISAAC EDUCATION:

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

Texas Driver's License Requirements

On Oct. 1, 2008, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued new regulations regarding the "identity" requirements for obtaining or renewing a Texas Driver's License. The Department requires an individual to show one "primary" identification document or one "secondary" identification plus two "supporting documents" or two pieces of "secondary" identification.  For example, "primary" identification documents are:
1.    Texas Driver's license or ID within two years of expiration;
2.    Unexpired United States Passport
3.    United States Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization
4.    Unexpired Homeland Security of USCIS document issued for a period of at least one year and must be valid for no less than six months from the date presented to the Department.
5.    A foreign passport with a visa and valid immigration documents
6.    Unexpired US Military ID.

A complete list of the acceptable identification documents are found here.

The Department will also issue special vertical-oriented licenses for noncitizens with legal permission to be in the country. Some immigration advocates have criticized the new rules because they claim item 4, will create undue burdens on short term legal immigrants. Others have claimed that the special vertically oriented driver's licenses will lead to increased scrutiny for immigrants as they interact with government officials and the public. This could be especially troublesome if the Department revives its now scrapped plans to institute state-wide "random" driver's license checkpoints. You can read further about the driver's licenses and checkpoint program here and here.

Interestingly, a person with a valid foreign driver's license from a country that has "reciprocity" with the United States may drive a private non-commercial motor vehicle on Texas roads for up to one year. See here.

For a list of the countries with reciprocity, see here.

National News

Settlement may offer amnesty for immigrants denied in past.

Some "freedom fighters" and dissidents not allowed green cards to the United States.

A very hard job.

USCIS finalizes I-9 Form

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
Hotel and registration details available in December 2008

Immigration Law 2009
Houston - Feb. 26-27, 2009
Hotel and registration details available in December 2008

"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:

• Bryan -- New Mexico -- Appealing an immigration court decision that denied his spouse and child entry into the United States

• Virgilio -- Texas -- Pastor in appeals process to re-enter the United States

• William -- Texas -- In immigration detention

• Luis -- Texas -- Pastor in Texas, wife and daughter seeking to come to the United States

• Ericka -- Texas -- Seeking to establish citizenship

• Jose -- Texas -- Appealing denial decision on R-1 visa

• Charles -- Texas -- Appealing an immigration decision that denied his spouse and child entry into the United States

• Victor -- Texas -- Is seeking to establish citizenship

• Abigail -- Texas -- Is seeking to establish residency

If you have had a prayer answered regarding an immigration matter, please let us know as well! Also, if you would like to include a picture of the person in your prayer request, please e-mail me at richard.munoz@bgct.org.

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.