fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Submit Your Event
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Send Letter to the Editor
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Our Newsletters
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s UP
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Subscribe to the What’s UP newsletter
  • Opinion
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s UP
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Subscribe to the What’s UP newsletter
  • Opinion
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Log Out
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Forum at Woodstock Jewish Congregation organizes information for immigrants

by Violet Snow
March 28, 2019
in Community
0
New Paltz sanctuary town declaration draws fire from police chief association

After the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who had declared his plans to deport as many undocumented immigrants as possible, Woodstock resident Laura Kaplan asked after a friend who is an immigrant. The reply was, “I’m documented, but my friends and family are terrified.” Kaplan reported, “I don’t want people in my community to be terrified. That’s not right.”

Those ripples of fear are coursing through Woodstock, Kingston, Phoenicia, Fleischmanns, Margaretville, and other towns where many Latin Americans are working in such fields as food service and construction. A forum organized by Kaplan, Laurie Osmond, and Linda Leeds was held at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation (WJC) on March 23 to inform immigrants of their rights and to tell community members how to support their immigrant neighbors.

The event was inspired by an earlier forum on sanctuary at Bard College, hosted by Mariel Fiori, editor of La Voz, a Spanish-language magazine with offices on the campus. The WJC gathering featured attorney Andrea Callan of the Workers Justice Center of New York and Daniel Green of Kingston, one of the few local immigration lawyers in private practice.

“We were hearing from employers in town that workers were terrified about things they didn’t need to be afraid of,” said Kaplan. “There was an information gap.” The lawyers explained the rights of immigrants if confronted by agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in different scenarios — when walking down the street or when a knock comes at the door. Handouts were available in Spanish and in English, and there was a discussion of next steps for the community, such as organizing rapid response teams that can show up when ICE arrives. “If people show up,” said Kaplan, “the person is less likely to get deported.” Legal representation also decreases the chances of deportation, so the group has discussed starting a legal defense fund, raising money for bail and to retain a lawyer immediately if someone in the community is arrested.

The arrest of a Hispanic resident in New Paltz last month set off anxiety in neighboring towns. So far, Woodstock has not seen ICE activity, but Kaplan observed, “This new administration has made such a point of demonizing immigrants and especially undocumented immigrants. They do have to have a federal judicial warrant to arrest someone, but we’ve heard sometimes they don’t have that. They say they’re the police when they aren’t, when they’re just fishing, looking for people without a warrant.”

Kaplan addressed a meeting of the Woodstock Interfaith Council on April 5, seeking the support of local clergy. Sonja Tillberg Maclary, pastor of Christ’s Lutheran Church, agreed that religious institutions could play a role, remarking, “We have to educate people. How do we change the hearts of people who are not so welcoming or understanding of immigrants? Many of them are leaving desperate situations in their own countries.”

Latin American immigrants report fleeing poverty and hunger or gang violence and threats of murder.

To get involved with activities to help local immigrants, or to obtain an information packet on knowing your rights, email CatskillsIndivisible@gmail.com. Packets are also available through libraries, churches, and some employers.

Tags: immigration
Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher

Violet Snow

Violet Snow wrote regularly for the Woodstock Times for 17 years and continues to contribute to Hudson Valley One. She has been published in the New York Times “Disunion” blog, Civil War Times, American Ancestors, Jewish Currents, and many other periodicals. An excerpt from her historical novel, To March or to Marry, has appeared in the feminist journal Minerva Rising. She lives in Phoenicia and is currently working with horses, living out her childhood dream.

Related Posts

Traditional chicken barbecue in High Falls this Saturday
Community

Traditional chicken barbecue in High Falls this Saturday

July 10, 2025
The Saugerties Fourth of July parade tradition continues
Community

The Saugerties Fourth of July parade tradition continues

July 9, 2025
What New Paltz can be
Community

What New Paltz can be

July 8, 2025
Party with Congolese dance music in Kingston this Saturday
Community

Party with Congolese dance music in Kingston this Saturday

July 4, 2025
A busy July 4 week in Saugerties
Community

Guide to 4th of July events and fireworks in Ulster County

July 1, 2025
Detained
Community

Detained

June 26, 2025
Next Post
Saugerties voters will see two propositions along with school budget and trustee vote

Saugerties voters will see two propositions along with school budget and trustee vote

Weather

Kingston, NY
68°
Partly Cloudy
5:32 am8:31 pm EDT
Feels like: 68°F
Wind: 0mph ENE
Humidity: 97%
Pressure: 30.06"Hg
UV index: 0
WedThuFri
91°F / 73°F
90°F / 73°F
82°F / 61°F
powered by Weather Atlas

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

  • Subscribe & Support
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Our Newsletters
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Art
    • Books
    • Kids
    • Lifestyle & Wellness
    • Food & Drink
    • Music
    • Nature
    • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    • Hey Kingston
    • New Paltz Times
    • Woodstock Times
    • Week in Review

© 2022 Ulster Publishing