Resources In Place To Support Bloomington As Welcoming, Inclusive Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2017

For more information, please contact: Beverly Calender-Anderson, Director of Community and Family Resources Department, 812-349-3430, andersb@bloomington.in.gov

Resources In Place To Support Bloomington As Welcoming, Inclusive Community

Bloomington, Ind. - Recent executive orders from the U.S. President have raised questions about local law enforcement policies as they relate to immigration status. As the home of Indiana University and scholars, students and residents from all over the globe, the City of Bloomington is committed to being a welcoming, inclusive community for all.

"The current national administration may seek to implement dangerous and divisive policies relating to immigration," said Mayor Hamilton. "But we will continue to welcome and celebrate current and new residents from across the globe. We can only control what we can control, and our behavior - our Bloomington - has not changed since January 20. Our doors remain open to those who peacefully seek refuge or a chance for a better life."

A variety of resources are available in our community for those individuals from other countries or those concerned about or interested in getting involved in immigration matters.

Community Resources:

Know Your Rights Workshops: all sessions held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Monroe County Public Library 9303 E. Kirkwood Ave.). Interpreters available upon request at 812-855-1740.

• Tuesday, March 7

• Monday, March 20

• Monday, April 3

• Monday, April 17

[El Centro Comunal Latino|http://elcentrocomunal.com]: 812-355-7513

El Centro Comunal Latino works to assist the Latino population in their integration and active participation in the local community, and to support local service providers in their efforts to serve this population. The District 10 Pro Bono Project in partnership with El Centro Comunal Latino offers free legal advice on immigration issues on the last Monday of each month at Monroe County Public Library from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This service is for those who earn less than 150% of the federal poverty level. Other services include but are not limited to translation and interpretation, information and referral services, tutoring and youth mentoring.

[Indiana Legal Services|http://indianalegalservices.org]: 812-339-7668

Indiana Legal Services has offices throughout the state, including Bloomington. The Bloomington office offers Spanish-speaking attorneys.

Indiana Legal Services Immigration & Language Rights Center: 866-964-2138 is a toll-free Immigration Hotline

indianalegalservices.org/topics/68 includes information on becoming a legal resident, frequently asked questions about the January 27, 2017 Executive Order and the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project.

Pro Bono Immigration Project:

The central mission of the Pro Bono Immigration Project (PIP) at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law is to support the unmet legal needs of non-citizens in Bloomington and surrounding areas. Through partnerships with local organizations and under the supervision of practicing attorneys, students conduct intake interviews and perform legal research in order to assist in the filing of relevant applications on behalf of noncitizens and their family members. Students may also teach citizenship classes and are encouraged to pursue scholarly research that will have practical relevance to non-citizens. For more information, please contact [Javier Becerra|mailto:javbecer@indiana.edu].

City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department: 812-349-3430

Latino Outreach Program provides translation and referral services for Spanish-speaking members of the community and agencies serving the Hispanic/Latino population. Information and referral services are available. The Latino Outreach Program also produces a weekly public affairs radio program, Hola¡ Bloomington, every Friday at 6:00 p.m. on WFHB radio, as well as a monthly newsletter, the Boletin Communtario.

The Commission on Latino Affairs works to identify and research the issues which impact the Hispanic and Latino populations in Bloomington, especially in the areas of health, education, public safety and cultural competency.

Safe and Civil City Program works to ensure that Bloomington is a community that welcomes, values and respects all visitors and residents. The Program focuses on diversity, civility, public safety education, and community response, working with a variety of campus and community based organizations.

Other City of Bloomington Resources:

Bloomington Human Rights Commission: Bloomington has long been committed to equal opportunities for all and created the Bloomington Human Rights Commission to help make that commitment a reality. Anyone who feels he or she has been discriminated in employment, public accommodations or housing on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, ancestry, sex, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or housing status is urged to contact the [Bloomington Human Rights Commission|mailto:human.rights@bloomington.in.gov] or 812-349-3429. The BHRC staff will advise you on your rights and responsibilities and if you decide to file a formal complaint, investigate the matter impartially. Anyone who feels he or she has been the victim of hate or bias incident is also urged to contact the BHRC and/or law enforcement, 911.

Communications Outlets:

Indiana University Office of International Services, ois.iu.edu, offers immigration and travel updates and specific information about the impact on students and scholars.

Hispanic/Latino:

Hola¡ Bloomington (CFRD)

Boletin Communitario (CFRD)

[El Centro Comunal Latino|mailto:elcentrocomunal@gmail.com]

[IU LaCasa listserv|mailto:lacasa@indiana.edu]

[UndocuHoosier Alliance|mailto:undocuhoosieralliance@gmail.com]

St. Paul Catholic Center: [Fr. Raymond-Marie Bryce, O.P.,|mailto:frraymond@hoosiercatholic.org]

Asian:

[IU Asian Culture Center|mailto:acc@indiana.edu]

Korean United Methodist Church

St. Paul Catholic Center: [Helen Cheun|mailto:helenagaster@gmail.com]

Asian/Pacific Faculty Staff Council (send to ACC and they will distribute)

African/Middle Eastern:

Bloomington Islamic Center: Ashraf Abdelhafez, President, contact@icob.org

IU Muslim Student Association: Eman Mozaffar, President, emozaffa@indiana.edu

African Students' Association: iuasa@indiana.edu

Consulate services:

The Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis may be reached by calling 317-661-7600, by [email|mailto:indianapolis@sre.gob.mx], or by going to their web page, consulmex.sre.gob/indianapolis . Information about contacting other consulates is available on the web.

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