Jesus Was a Refugee...and His Actions Sure Counted!
June 16, 2020
This coming Sunday, June 21, 2020, we will be reflecting on World Refugee Day. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the response of the United States government to children, families, and adults seeking safety and protection at the U.S. southern border has been to deny assistance and push these refugees back. Hearings allowing asylum seekers to explain why they fear persecution have been cancelled. Unaccompanied children who are supposed to be cared for and given "know your rights" presentations and assistance with applying for immigration relief are instead fingerprinted and immediately sent back into Mexico or flown back to the countries from which they fear harm with little to no arrangements for safe reintegration.
This year's World Refugee Day theme is "Every Action Counts" and serves as a reminder to the world that everyone, including refugees (some of the most courageous, strongest, determined people!), contributes to society and "Every Action Counts" in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world where no one is left behind. The Immigration Ministry Team has a few suggestions of actions you can take to support our refugee neighbors near and far:
- Stand in solidarity with African refugees and attend a Black Lives Matter event to work for racial justice.
- Sign a petition asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to exempt children and asylum seekers from the border closure. at https://bit.ly/StandWithChildrenNow.
- Write a letter to your representative urging Congress to take action against harmful policies enacted by the Administration (demanding three key policy changes) at https://bit.ly/StandUpforChildren.
- Send a message of encouragement to Jose Robles at the Northwest Detention Center.
- Set your alarm for 8:00 pm every day to remind you to join other Immigration Ministry Team members who are saying prayers for justice for immigrant and refugee neighbors.
- Reach out to friends who have DACA and offer support as the upcoming decision on the future of DACA comes from the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Sew masks for unaccompanied children served by Kids in Need of Defense to help them survive the COVID-19 pandemic (read more here).
Thank you for your actions big and small! -Janet Gwilym
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