Speech #1010127060

Father Olivares collaborated in establishing a Central American pastoral center called the Centre Pastoral Rutilio Grande at La Placita. Then. on December 12. 1985. La Placita was declared public sanctuary for Central American refugees. This was the first Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles to do so. thus joining more than 40 sanctuary churches across the United States. In 1987. sanctuary was extended to include those undocumented aliens who could not qualify for amnesty under the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. At the same time. Father Olivares joined a group of religious men and women in a declaration of noncompliance on that section of the law which requires employers to fill out verification of permit to work. the 19 form. for all those hired after November 6. 1986. Today. Father Olivares serves as president of the board of the National Center for Immigrants Rights. Inc.. chairman of the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights in Los Angeles. treasurer of the Central American Refugee Center of Los Angeles. member of the Going Home Campaign Steering Committee an interfaith group in support of Salvadoran refugees returning to El Salvador from exilemember of the advisory board of the Southern California InterFaith Task Force on Central America. and cochair of Coalition 88 with Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell and the Reverend James Lawson. Jr. In summary.