Dear Indonesian Community,
Today, on the 17th of April (Palm Sunday) I would like to update you as to the state of the Indonesian Refugee Family Protection Act.
*We have 44 volunteers who are canvasing all the members of the House of Representatives with phone calls. On Friday the 15th we made at least a couple of hundred phone calls.
*We are increasing our calling and outreach in locations where there are lots of deportations occurring. We are doing extra work in Hew Hampshire, as we are deeply troubled by the number of Indonesians detained there.
*We are getting nearer to introducing this bill.
*We are making inroads with some important conservative politicians and personalities, who we think could effectively sway public opinion.
*We are trying to draw media attention to our effort.
To the 300+ of you who have filled out forms to be included in this bill, God bless you! Your signing up strengthens the realization that this bill would impact a group of people who are suffering due to a similar set of circumstances.
Now, there are some things we need from you.
1) We need more names! Please, sign up yourselves, sign up your friends and DO NOT DELAY. Your speed at signing on increases the possibility that this will be an effective bill.
2) We need the names of your lawyers. The more lawyers who are aware of our effort, the better. Our hope and prayer is that since all of you are in deportation proceedings the fact that your name will be in the bill will be an effective mechanism to keep you here temporarily! Your lawyers will need to get a copy of the bill, with your name included, to have as part of your presentation for ICE.
3) We need to know the congressional districts you are in. Can you please send the name of your Congressman or woman to Harry Pangemanan?
4) It would be helpful if church leaders started calling the LOCAL House of Representative offices, to share the crisis that is unfolding in their communties. Also, if your Indonesian congregation has an American host church, please have the pastor and leaders of that church call as well.
It is very important that everyone work hard, and quickly. I can not state it clearly enough that massive deportation will befall the Indonesian community in America if something doesn’t happen quickly.
Peace to you,
Reverend Seth Kaper-Dale, Reformed Church of Highland Park
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