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Senate Bill 4, the sanctuary cities bill, has been set on the House Intent calendar for Wednesday, April 26th. This is one of the last steps before SB4 will be passed and sent to the Governor to be signed into law.

Over 200 leaders from organizations of the Network of Texas IAF convened at the Texas state capital to call on state legislators to restore full funding for the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education Fund (ACE Fund).  The delegation met with 20 legislators and staff asking them to support the ACE fund at its full $5 million and oppose anti-immigrant legislation.  Leaders additionally asked for local control covering issues as wide ranging as affordable housing and bail reform.

Texas IAF leaders additionally invited as guests of the legislature, as a resolution was read in support of the ACE fund by five Texas House members.  Later that day the Senate also read a resolution in support of the ACE fund.

At a press conference organized by the Texas IAF, legislators from across the state emerged from the Capitol to speak in support of the ACE fund.  Capital IDEA graduates from Houston and Texas, in addition to graduates from other IAF Labor market intermediaries told stories of how the workforce initiatives changed their lives, moving them from $10.00/hr part time work to careers earning as much as $70,000 per year!  The average wage of a graduate from these programs is $20.66/hr.

Said Bishop Joe Vásquez of the Catholic Diocese of Austin, representing the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, “We reject the premise that persons who are merely suspected of being undocumented immigrants should be rounded up by state and local police agents.”

TMO leader Rev. Fred Clarkson, with the Network of Texas IAF Organizations, spoke in opposition to Senate Bill 4 which would punish so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ by withholding state funding and forcing law enforcement to act as immigration agents.

“This bill requires local police and sheriff’s deputies to enforce federal immigration laws as if their job of maintaining public order and the public safety weren’t difficult enough as it is,” said John Elford, senior pastor of University United Methodist Church and member of Austin Interfaith.

[In photo, Austin Catholic Bishop Joe Vasquez speaks, surrounded by religious leaders of the Network of Texas IAF Organizations.]

Texas Interfaith Leaders Take a Stand Against SB4, KXAN

Press Release, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops

At a statewide convening of the Network of Texas IAF Organizations, leaders developed an agenda of issues to tackle in the upcoming legislative session.  The top two issues will be immigration (stopping anti-immigrant legislation) and the ACE Fund (promoting full funding for investments in long-term workforce development).  Several organizations plan on additionally tackling local control as it impacts local rental housing, property tax and bail reforms.

Ernesto Cortes, Jr., Co-Director of the Industrial Areas Foundation agitates the audience alongside Sr. Christine Stephens, Co-Director of the Interfaith Education Fund.

Sr. Christine Stephens

Catholic Bishops Most Reverend Mark Seitz and Most Reverend Joseph Fiorenza with Ernesto Cortes, Jr.

A mariachi kicks off the beginning of the celebration.

Event Co-Chairs: Brenda Schell and Fr. David Garcia

El Paso Catholic Bishop Most Reverend Mark Seitz

IAF Organizer Sr. Judy Donovan with IAF Co-Director Mike Gecan, Sr. Christine Stephens and Frank Sanchez of the Needmor Foundation

Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Executive Director Ralph McCloud

IAF Organizer Joe Rubio and Mrs. Loretta Bernard

Texas IAF leaders Sr. Gabriela Lohan, Sandra Fuentes, Rev. Chris Jimmerson stand behind

Ralph McCloud looks on Bishop Mark Seitz shakes Brother Richard Daley’s hand.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff

San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor

Texas State Senator Hinojosa presents Proclamation from Texas State Senate

Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez of the Southwest Texas Conference

Project QUEST Executive Director Sr. Pearl Ceasar greets Texas IAF leader

IEF Boardmember Reverend Dr. Rhenel Johnson with Oralia Garza de Cortes at side

IAF Organizer Arnie Graf, COPS / Metro Lead Organizer Jorge Montiel look on as COPS Co-Founders Andy Sarabia and Beatriz Gallegos stand to be recognized.

Austin Interfaith co-founder Fr. John Korscmar stands to be recognized while Austin Diocesan CCHD Committee Member Barbara Budde applauds.

Valley Interfaith co-founders Fr. Jerry Frank, Fr. Alfonso Guevara and Ofelia de los Santos stand to be recognized.

The Border Organization co-founders stand to be recognized.

Texas IAF leader Rev. John Ogletree exhorts the audience alongside Dolores Davila from El Paso.

Texas IAF leaders Minerva Camarena-Skeith and Rev. Price

TMO Lead Organizer Elizabeth Vasquez with Ernesto Cortes

Ernesto Cortes, Jr. and Sr. Christine Stephens

Noting that for “more than 40 years, the network’s organizing efforts have had a profound impact on the lives of countless families” and that it is “truly fitting that its exceptional achievements receive special recognition” the Texas Senate issued Proclamation No. 332 to “commend the Network of Texas Industrial Areas Foundation Organizations on its commitment to helping families, developing leadership, and promoting conversation on the issues facing our state.”

See below for proclamations from the US House of Representatives, Texas Senate, and City of Houston.

Statement of the Honorable Gene Green, US Congressional Record

Proclamation No. 332, Texas Senate

Proclamation, City of Houston