Advocacy
Advocacy is one of the primary activities of JSRI and takes a number of forms. Institute staff, collaborators, and stakeholders engage in advocacy on social and economic issues through researching legislative issues, providing testimony to legislative bodies, meeting and corresponding with legislators and staff members of the region, representing our concerns in local, state, and national administrative forums, and conducting public events such as hearings and press conferences. JSRI offers assistance to other advocates by providing background research for testimony and participating in collaborative campaigns to promote values such as the common good and the preferential option for the poor, and by integrating public ethics into the fostering of public policy.
- Staff work with local Catholic groups, state Catholic Conferences, and other advocates on both national and state legislative issues; and
- The JustSouth Quarterly and JustSouth E-newsletter include a focus on current legislative and administrative issues and initiatives dealing with poverty, race, and migration in the region, the nation, and in sending countries.
Read more about our advocacy efforts:
Alerts
New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond issues statement on Human Trafficking
On Dec. 5, Archbishop Aymond, LCWR Region 5, and CMSM issued a statement to be read at masses throughout New Orleans asking Catholics to be aware of the issue of human trafficking, especially in the time leading up to the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
CDF calls on policy makers to protect children from budget cuts
The Children's Defense Fund's "Be Careful What You Cut" campaign seeks to protect children's programs from budget cuts. Click here to contact you legislator and learn more.
Contact Sen. Mary Landrieu and ask her to support a decrease in detention funding
This year U.S. taxpayers will spend over $2 billion on immigration detention. Please contact Sen. Landrieu and ask her to decrease detention funding by 1,200 beds and increase funds available for alternative to detention programs which cost less and are more effective.
JSRI Signs On to Letter Urging the Reduction of Spending on Immigration Detention
On March 23, JSRI and numerous other national, state, and local organizations signed off on a letter from the Detention Watch Network asking Senator Mary Landrieu and Representative Robert Aderholt of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations to reduce spending on immigration detention.
JSRI Joins Immigrant Justice Organizations in Urging ICE to End Family Detention
JSRI joined scores of immigrant justice organizations in calling on ICE to end the practice of family detention.
Mississippi Bishops Issue Statement on Anti-immigrant Legislation
On January 21, the Catholic, Episcopal, and Methodist bishops of Mississippi signed off on a statement calling Mississippi State Legislators and Governor Phil Bryant to “refrain from drafting and enacting” anti-immigrant legislation.
USCCB to hold January 11-13, 2012 national conference on state and local immigration initiatives
USCCB to hold a national conference on state and local immigration initiatives and immigration reform January 11-13, 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Proposed WIC Cuts Would End Food Assistance for 325,000-475,000 Women, Infants, & Children
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities just published an article revealing how proposed federal budget cuts in the WIC nutrition program would force WIC to turn away 325,000 to 475,000 eligible low-income women and young children next year.