Civic Engagement

Washington, DC – “Mr. Biden has sought to be identified with Pope Francis. And if there is one signature issue for Pope Francis, it is the plight of refugees, immigrants and displaced persons,” writes Bill McCormick, contributing editor at America Magazine.  After the Biden administration announced last week that it would keep former President Trump’s historically ...

Washington, DC – Earlier today, it seemed President Biden intended to break his promise to expand the number of refugees resettled by the United States in the current fiscal year. This evening, the White House clarified that President Biden WILL issue a new presidential determination on refugees by May 15, 2021, but that it is ...

Action Toolkit: Welcoming Migrants – Spring 2021 Share this toolkit: http://bit.ly/IICWelcomingMigrants @interfaithimm • Facebook • interfaithimmigration.org Background There is a lot of news right now about asylum seekers, especially children, who are at the U.S./Mexico border. But this situation did not come about overnight; it has been building for years, exasperated by cruel and inhumane policies and an outdated ...

Until Then, Trump’s Xenophobic Restrictions Remain in Place Washington, DC – After years running from danger, waiting in refugee camps, and clearing numerous paperwork processes and security checks, some refugees were promised a new life in the United States. Refugee resettlement agencies and local communities prepared to welcome and help them get acclimated to their new ...

Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to create a path to citizenship for farmworkers and people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) on Thursday. Now, the U.S. Senate has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do its job, and turn these bills into law.  On ...

Senate Must Act Immediately to Enshrine “Deserved Dignity” In Law Washington, DC – Leaders from the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) welcome House passage of legislation that creates a path to citizenship for farmworkers and people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), among some others. Now, we turn ...

Washington, DC – Peniel Ibe, policy engagement coordinator at the American Friends Service Committee and Co-Chair of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, responded to the murder of eight people, most of Asian descent, in Georgia this week: As people of faith, we mourn the victims of this heinous act, and pray for their loved ones who are ...

Washington, DC – After ten years of family separation, Melaku Gebretsadik was on his way to pick up his wife and three kids at the Denver airport when he learned their trip to the United States had been cancelled, their reunion once again postponed. “My heart was broken,” he said. Refugees from Eritrea, the Gebretsadik ...

Washington, DC – Nearly 100 faith-based organizations and over 700 faith leaders are calling on the Biden administration to halt deportation flights and stop expelling Haitians and other migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. Re-designating the country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is another urgent need. Said Bishop Philius H. Nicolas with Evangelical Crusade of Fishers ...

Washington, DC – Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) Co-Chairs, Peniel Ibe and Elissa Diaz, comment on introduction of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Linda Sanchez (D-CA), among other members of the House and Senate. Peniel Ibe, policy engagement coordinator at the American Friends Service Committee and IIC Co-Chair: We are ...