IFCLA is thrilled to welcome Rev. Laurie Anderson, founder of Kansas City's Immigrant Justice Advocacy Movement (IJAM). Rev. Laurie will offer a 2-hour training to equip St. Louis volunteers to participate in the immigration court watch program that IJAM coordinates in Kansas City.

According to IJAM's website, the "purpose of the immigration court watch program is to hold immigration judges accountable to the DOJ Ethics guidelines. In addition, we provide a silent presence of accompaniment to our immigrant brothers and sisters navigating the judicial immigration system. One outcome of the court watch program is that observers are equipped to report to their congregations and circles of influence about the harsh realities of family separation and the difficult and highly stressful deportation process."

IFCLA hopes to:

A) have volunteers available to accompany folks from St. Louis all the way to their hearings in Kansas City, including many of those who we walk with every month for their local ICE/ISAP check-ins; and

B) develop a regular presence and witness in the Immigration Court, that even though its "far away", we watch, we see, and we care.

No prior experience is necessary. No special skills are required. The training will be held at the St. John the Baptist Parish Center, 4200 Delor St., 63116.