Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/137844317373303/
Brownsville, TX – On February 14 at 3:30pm CST, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leaders are coming together in Brownsville, TX for an interfaith vigil, praying for an end to callous policies that restrict asylum.
WHAT: Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leaders pray for end to fatal asylum policies
WHEN: Friday, February 14th, 3:30pm CST
WHERE: Xeriscape Park, International Boulevard and W. University Boulevard Brownsville, TX (livestream will be available at Facebook event link)
WHO: Julia Paley, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Martha Jolly, Disciples clergy (retired), Columbia, Missouri
Rabbi Frank Joseph, Temple Beth Israel, Harlingen
Mohammed & Ruth Nasrullah, Clear Lake Islamic Center and Multi Cultural Center (Houston); Team Brownsville
Pastor Abraham Barberi, Comunidad Esencia Urbana, Matamoros, Mexico
Marist Father Tony O’Connor, SanFelipe de Jesus Catholic Church, Brownsville
Organizational Hosts: Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Clear Lake Islamic Center, Multi Cultural Center, Refugee and Immigration Ministries Disciples Home Missions, Interfaith Immigration Coalition
Background: The current U.S. asylum system is failing individuals and families.
Two-thirds of Central American asylum seekers arriving in the U.S. have had a loved one killed, kidnapped, or “disappeared.” Yet Immigration Judges, under the oversight of the U.S. Justice Department, continue to deny them asylum and send them back to the danger they fled. Hundreds of people have been killed or attacked after being denied asylum and deported, or while being forced to remain in Mexico under the callous “Migrant Protection Protocols” (MPP).
Increasingly, asylum-seekers from Africa and other continents across the globe are arriving to find our borders closed to them, no matter the violence and deadly repression they fled.
The administration is also sending asylum-seekers from El Salvador and Honduras to Guatemala and forcing them to apply for safety there, a country that has its own share of refugees fleeing danger. The fatal consequences seen in MPP will only multiply and continue under the so-called “asylum cooperation agreement” policy.
This event is part of the #Faith4Asylum initiative, which has been stepping up with acts of prayer and action in support of asylum-seekers and calling for an end to policies that put their lives in danger. See the campaign website: https://faith4asylum.com/. See the Facebook Event for updates and a livestream.
The prayer service takes place amidst the Witness at the Border to Restore Asylum, which runs from February 14-17.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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