(Trinidad Guardian) – The fight for undocumented workers in the US has moved from the pulpit to the streets, and finally to Capitol Hill.
Taking a page form the African American churches that were at the forefront of the 1960s civil rights movement, the Caribbean clergy has emerged as the key player in the struggle for comprehensive immigration reform. Members of the clergy have formed a group, which falls under the aegis of Churches United for Saving Healing (CUSH), aimed at moulding the immigration reform bill which will be presented to the Senate as early as January 2010. Spokesperson Gilford Monrose was upbeat, confiding that after a Health Care Bill and Energy Bill have been passed, “immigration reform will be next.” Monrose added: “Look, this is a momentous time for Caribbean people. This is the first time that Caribbean leaders are at the epicentre of immigration reform…I actually heard that being said by politicians on the Hill.”
Working around the clock to whip up awareness, he continued: “This is the start of a Caribbean intellectual movement in the US.” Tall, articulate and in his 30s, Pastor Monrose echoed the sentiments of Bishop Orlando Finlayter that present immigration laws are racist and discriminate against people of Caribbean and African origins. “The same courtesy extended to Eastern Europeans must be extended to our people,” he said. “CUSH is a reflection of the black Caribbean. Our clergy are from Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, Haiti and Panama,” he stated with a sense of pride. A native of St Croix, Pastor Monrose shepherds the Mt Zion Church of God Seventh Day. He is focused on his work and has steeled himself for the fight ahead. “When we spoke to the Black Caucus and the White House Director of Faith Based Initiatives, we conveyed our position that immigration is a human rights issue. We also demanded that breaking up families because of immigration rulings must no longer happen, and that every undocumented worker today must be given some pathway to citizenship.”
While many may consider this a long shot, Pastor Monrose is buoyed by having New York Senator Chuck Schumer in his corner. The senator who has assumed leadership role as head of the subcommittee on Immigration and is popular among Brooklyn West Indians, intends to introduce legislation for reform this fall. “I have no doubt that President Obama has an unyielding commitment to achieving comprehensive immigration reform…and his leadership will be critical in getting us over the hump this time around,” he is noted as saying. One principle of the proposed legislation will allow illegal immigrants to quickly register their process with the US Government—and submit to a rigorous process of converting to legal status or face deportation. Although Pastor Monrose is energised by the response his group has received, he is realistic. “I understand that a group of ministers in South Carolina are also getting together, only this time to oppose what we are proposing. If you think that the Health Care debate has been divisive, wait until this Immigration reform is on the front burner,” he said.
With a series of marches scheduled and a media blitz on the way, lines have been drawn in the sand. The first salvo has been fired and “The rights of Pastor Monrose and CUSH remain steadfast…undaunted. immigrants from the Caribbean will be protected. We are going to win this one…I feel it,” he ended.
