In 2010, after belonging to the Unitarian Universalist faith for 30 years, I began to ask if the search for personal spiritual growth was enough.  I concluded that belief without work to achieve UU goals lacked real value to me.  So I began to look for ways to turn my own beliefs into action. Among other organizations, I found the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ).

Because I was and am an immigration attorney, I joined the UUSJ’s Immigration Task Group (ITG) to assist its efforts to influence those in the Federal Government on immigration matters important to Unitarian Universalists (UUs).  I was not alone. I volunteered with people like Lavona Grow, David Strauss, Don Chery, Bob Denniston, and Pablo DeJesus. They were wonderfully talented and experienced in advocacy.  We lunched together in the early days while discussing our plans and had a lot of fun. The work was extremely gratifying and fruitful.

We developed petitions based on our UU principles to generally oppose the policies of the Department of Homeland Security or to modify or oppose proposed legislation on the hill. The creativity of the ITG was amazing.

Later on there were personnel changes in the ITG. Some fell away but most stayed and newcomers like Charlotte Jones Carroll and Sean McCarthy arrived.

The creativity continued. We researched, wrote, and advocated.  Sometimes we advocated by mail but other times in person with visits to senators, congressmen, congresswoman, and their staffers as well as those officials in the Department of Homeland Security. Sometimes we zoom our meetings.

With the addition of the Advocacy Corps, we can now conduct more meetings with more of our participants. We gather letters from UUs in faraway congregations through Write Here! Write Now! efforts or Action Alerts on important immigration matters. The letters may influence senators, congressmen, and women as many come from their constituents (voters).

I have enjoyed every minute of my time with the UUSJ. In a democracy, each one of us must stand for what we believe. Sitting it out and hoping for the right result is not my way. Be fearless!! Grab the ring.

Come join us at the UUSJ.  If you do, you can reap the satisfaction of our wins to know that our country is moving in the right (UU) direction.