TASK FORCE INFORMATION:
>>. Our last meeting of the year will be held Monday evening, June 13 at 7:30PM.  We will hold the election for the coming year and discuss plans for the summer. The ZOOM invitation is as follows:   Topic: NAIJTF Monthly Meeting
                        Time: Jun 13, 2022 07:30 PM   Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84488011181?pwd=a29WNCs0ZXhmcGZCeW9UWTN0VG1pdz09

NEWS FROM THE DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY:
>> On June 2d, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it has completed the expansion of biometric facial comparison technology at all international airports across the United States to further secure and streamline international travel. This innovation effort is a critical milestone for the biometric Entry/Exit program and complements biometric boarding, which is currently at select departure locations.  SEE story “Biometrics” attached.

NATIONAL NEWS:
>>.  CBS NEWS reported  “Who Qualifies for Asylum and How Does the Process Work?” 
SEE:  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-us-asylum-process-who-qualifies/
(there is both a video and a written article that is very well done)

>>. TIME published an article entitled, “Why the Children of Immigrants Are the Ones Getting Ahead in America”  SEE:  https://time.com/6182715/immigrants-children-us-mobility/

LOCAL NEWS:
>> The Safe Communities Act reporting deadline has been extended for a third time to June 24. The good news is that it is still in play this session and the committee received a ton of public support. When the Work and Family Mobility Act becomes law, the campaign for the Safe Communities Act will resume in full force. 
Jennifer Muroff. (617.877.9017), Legislative Specialist, Immigration,League of Women Voters

>> UPDATE  What the world needs now is amity.  Gather together with diverse members of the Needham community to celebrate racial, cultural and religious diversity and send a strong message of hope to the town, the country and the world.  Meet people face to face and share meaningful conversations while having fun at RACE AMITY DAY, Sunday June 12, 2022 4-6 pm.  The event will take place at Needham’s AMITY PATH (located at the Needham Reservoir) 500 Dedham Avenue, Needham, MA. for music, sing-along, food and rock painting for all ages.  Free and open to the public.  Featuring musical artists West of Willow and What the World Needs Now – Interfaith Coalition Singers. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts made Race Amity Day an official holiday in 2015, thanks to the efforts of Rep. Denise Garlick of Needham. Join the many cities and towns in Massachusetts and celebrate the day in a meaningful way.  Co-sponsored by the Needham Diversity Initiative and the Needham Human Rights Committee. Contact  Georgina                               ( georgina@somaptandrehab.com ) for more information.  I hope to see many of you there.
>> REMINDER:  Hopefully you remember that the LWV-Needham is holding the first Civics Showcase on Saturday June 11. We have had a great turnout of 111 students in 47 groups. Several of them are advocating for the issue of “immigration.” Contact Karen Price for more information ( karenprice.ma@gmail.com  )  A full list of advocacy areas is on the LWV webpage https://lwv-needham.org/nhs-civics-showcase/

LOCAL REQUESTS:
>> The International Institute (IINE) is looking for bikes:  In Boston, IINE has partnered with Jamaica Plain’s very own Bikes Not Bombs to bring used/refurbished bicycles to our newly resettled Afghan refugees, to help them commute to work and access community resources. Our enthusiastic and invaluable volunteers are helping to repair, tune up, and deliver donated bicycles to these clients. So far, we’ve distributed 26 bikes, along with bike helmets generously donated by the law firm Breakstone, White & Gluck, and more are on the way!  If you would like to donate a used adult bicycle in good or repairable condition, please fill out this form and one of our volunteers will be in touch with you. Go to: https://iine.wufoo.com/forms/z6cvn5q0go3y5q/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=5404903d-b015-4493-9ce2-f682e78f786



Stay safe
Gerry Rovner