Civic Engagement

Washington, DC – The Trump administration is finding more ways to deport immigrants from the United States without access to lawyers, courts, or due process. “The administration is using every cheap trick in the book to put people in danger. By empowering ICE to summarily deport members of our communities, the president is pandering to his ...

Rapid Response Actions to Proposed Lowest Refugee Admissions Goal in U.S. History Please share the short link: http://bit.ly/RefugeePD2021  Moral Imperative to Take Action to Decry Dismantling of Refugee Resettlement Program Background: The administration has proposed a Presidential Determination (PD) of a new all-time historic low of 15,000 for Fiscal Year 2021. Since taking office, the administration has sought ...

Washington, DC – On September 30, the last day of National African Immigrant Heritage Month, hundreds of people joined a Zoom meeting to learn about the journey many Black Africans make to the U.S. to escape persecution–and the journey some are forced to make back via deportation.  A recording is available here. Sylvie Bello of the ...

Over 1,000 Faith Leaders from 43 States Ask DHS, ICE, and Congress to Allow Binsar Siahaan to Continue His Case in Sanctuary (photo: Susan Saudek) Washington, DC – This week, 1,038 faith leaders from forty-three states, including WI, MI, PA, NC, AZ and the District of Columbia sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad ...

Today, 1,038 faith leaders sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf, Senior Official Tony Pham, and the U.S. Congress calling for ICE to “release Binsar from detention immediately and allow him to proceed with his asylum case.” They also demand a statement from ICE “clarifying and assuring that it will adhere ...

Faith Community Outraged by the Administration’s Devastation of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program Diaz: “Trump administration is playing the role of persecutor, not protector” Washington, DC – The Trump administration is proposing another historic low refugee admissions goal of 15,000 for FY 2021, according to the administration’s report to Congress. The administration violated U.S. law by not ...

Washington, DC – Ahmad Javed Momand was a doctor in Afghanistan. Now, he works as a lab tech, processing test results and taking employees’ temperatures at a U.S. health care facility. Both of his jobs are vital and important. But only one requires the time and skills involved in completing a PhD in medicine.  Dr. Momand’s ...

If you have planned a faith event or vigil, we encourage you to reach out and invite members of the media. Look online at the local publications or outlets you would like in attendance and search for past articles on immigration or refugees, then consider inviting those reporters, as well as those who cover religion, ...

Hosting interfaith prayer vigils—including virtual ones in this time of social distancing concerns—provides the opportunity for faith leaders to express how welcoming immigrants is part of all faith traditions, reflecting on the deep scriptural and spiritual roots of our work to support immigrants. Even small events, multiplied across the country, will send a powerful message ...

Steps to Take Look up your local newspaper online to find its submission guidelines for letters to the editor. Some will have you email them the letter, others will require you to submit it via an online form. Draft the letter. Keep it short and ...