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Rabbis and clergy came together on Friday in front of New Jersey’s Bergen County Jail to support seven immigrant detainees’ hunger strike. The strike, which started Nov. 13, is the second hunger strike to occur in the jail this month. The detainees want to wait for the results of their deportation cases at home with their families, as there is a high risk of contracting COVID-19 in the jail. Bergen County generates millions of dollars every year by contracting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold immigrant detainees. About 200 people are being held at the jail due to alleged immigration violations. Forward
In other local immigration news…
Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Expiring Dec. 20
Liberian immigrants who qualify for green cards under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness act have until Dec. 20 to apply for them. Congress passed the LRIF on Dec. 20, 2019, allowing qualified Liberian nationals, their spouses, unmarried children under 21, and those who are older than 21 and living in the U.S., to apply for green card status. But so far, only 2,300 people nationwide have applied to receive permanent residence. Advocates and elected officials are urging Liberian nationals who have lived in the U.S. since Nov. 20, 2014, to discuss possible qualifications with a trustworthy legal representative. SIlive.com
Krishnan Running for City Council in Queens
Shekar Krishnan, a community activist and civil rights attorney, announced on Friday that he is running for the 25th New York City Council seat representing Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. Krishnan is the son of immigrants from South India. He said he plans to address the triple threat of crises facing the community: “An affordability crisis, a racial justice crisis, and a public health crisis.” Community leaders representing the south Asian, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities in Queens, as well as labor leaders, quickly endorsed Krishnan’s run. QNS
