The meeting last week was about more than standing on O Street with candles and signs in support of Lincoln’s refugee community, though that was part of it.
Sara Gilliam knew people wanted to help -- because she'd spent time in Greece helping Syrian refugees and so people had been calling her, wondering what they could do following the president’s executive order that temporarily banned travel to the U.S. for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and indefinitely for those from Syria.
Because despite a court stay, there is still lots of uncertainty. That's why Lutheran Family Services helped promote Monday's Light the Way for Refugees candlelight event to show Lincoln's refugee families they're welcome.
It's why Cecilia Rossiter made a sign that said "Immigrants for Strength" and joined hundreds that stretched along three blocks of O Street Monday night waving at motorists honking in support.
People are also reading…
"Half of my loved ones are currently immigrants, and technically we're all immigrants," she said. "This is actually what enhances our society, our country -- the energy and contributions of immigrants."
It's why Gilliam posted a Facebook invitation for a meeting -- thinking it would be a few friends who could gather in a living room and make plans. Before long, it was clear the number planning to attend would not fit in a living room.
“I realized it was a good problem to have,†she said.
Last week more than 80 people met at First Lutheran Church instead to get an overview of policy issues and resettlement challenges facing immigrants and refugees -- and advice about what they could do.
They learned about the candlelight vigil and representatives of several agencies talked about the challenges they face.
Lacey Studnicka, program development officer for Lutheran Family Services, told attendees she’d never seen such chaos within the resettlement community -- not even after the World Trade Center attacks in 2001.
“This has been a really hard time for our agency; this has been a really hard time for our refugees,†she said.
As the state’s largest resettlement agency, Lutheran Family Services had to lay off 15 people from its resettlement division, including six in Lincoln, because the president’s executive order reduced by more than half the number of refugees allowed in the country during the current fiscal year. Some of those employees were reassigned to other areas of the organization.
“It’s a big deal. How we prioritize refugee resettlement in the U.S. is based on family reunification,†Studnicka said. “That means family members will continue to be separated.â€
Max Graves, with the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance, told attendees his agency has been unable to meet demand for their services for some time -- and it's gotten worse since the election and executive order.
His agency helps immigrants and refugees with myriad immigration legal issues -- everything from naturalization processes to green cards to visas.
He said he's hoping to hire one additional full-time lawyer and one part-time lawyer to meet the demand, which has grown because of the fear of what might happen, and what Graves worries could happen if more people are detained by immigration officials.
One of the agency’s big concerns now, Graves said, is making sure if parents are detained they can get get bonded out quickly so their children aren’t left alone for extended periods.
"That's one of my biggest worries," he said.
More than 680 immigrants in various cities around the country were arrested in one recent week as part of what immigration officials have called “targeted enforcement operations†that are no different than actions over the past few years. Critics have characterized the arrests as raids they fear are the first step of the new administration’s promise to deport millions.
ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad also spoke at the meeting last week, asking attendees to support two legislative resolutions opposing federal action to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and to support the state’s refugees.
“It’s a dark political time we find ourselves in, but optimism is a political act,†she said. “After decades of political organizing in the trenches I’ve never seen crowds like this.â€
Renae Ninneman, who got a grant to begin Girl Scouts troops for refugees, told meeting attendees she needed volunteers -- and she got them.
Gilliam asked all those at the meeting to leave with "homework" and since then, plans for action have been posted on the Facebook group Gilliam started called Refugee Support LNK.
In addition to volunteering to be Girl Scout leaders, some are organizing fundraisers for Lutheran Family Services. Another promised to recruit work and church groups to furnish apartments for new refugees and another has begun compiling a list of volunteer agencies. Churches have offered to find ways to help find places for children if parents are detained, Graves said.
And on Monday, an estimated 600 people lined nearly three blocks along O Street between 24th and 22nd streets, a visual show of support for Lincoln's immigrants and refugees.
Heidi Burkland held an American flag and donned a statue of liberty visor.
"I just want to come out and show solidarity for refugees and let them know they are very welcome in Lincoln."