Civic Engagement

An Affront to Religious Values and U.S. Constitution Washington, DC – Today, Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) and several other senators introduced a resolution condemning the Trump administration’s refugee and Muslim ban as well as the “Remain in Mexico” policy that puts asylum-seekers in harm’s way.  Yesterday marked three years since the Trump administration’s nefarious first attempt at ...

Trump Administration’s Goal is to Keep Out All Immigrants But the Very Rich  Washington, DC – Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction, clearing the way for the Trump administration to implement its revision to the definition of who is considered to be a “public charge,” and therefore ineligible for permanent legal status.  “This amounts ...

Vigils Across U.S. Demand an End to Anti-Asylum Policies Washington, DC – January 29th marks one year of the disastrous Remain in Mexico policy that traps asylum seekers in Mexico while they wait for hearings in the United States. Faith communities and immigrants’ rights groups are marking the date with a national day of prayer and ...

Faith communities condemn administration’s travel ban that harms women of child-bearing age, urge administration to rescind immoral policy  Washington, DC – Another year, another round of discriminatory travel bans from the Trump administration. The latest is a ban on tourist visas for women whom a consular officer has “reason to believe” may be pregnant or could ...

This document contains stories about asylum-seekers in three categories: Subjected to Remain in Mexico/Migrant Protection Protocols Subjected to Family Separation Asylum-Seekers from Other Continents Subjected to Remain in Mexico/Migrant Protection Protocols Hundreds of Violent Assaults, Even Murders At least 816 asylum-seekers (including 201 children) have been raped, kidnapped, assaulted, and even murdered while subject to Remain in Mexico/MPP. Read about these ...

Faith Leaders Applaud Injunction Allowing Refugee Resettlement to Continue in All 50 States“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” Greenbelt, MD – People of faith across the country are celebrating the U.S. District Court injunction that allows refugee resettlement to “go forward as it ...

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2454548591466288/ Greenbelt, MD – The Washington Times reports that 41 governors from both parties have expressed support for continuing to welcome refugees. Tomorrow, January 8th, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland will hear oral arguments in a lawsuit to protect the refugee program (HIAS, Church World Service, and Lutheran Immigration and ...

Diverse Faith Leaders Call for Extension and Re-Designation of TPS for Yemen and Somalia Washington, DC — The U.S. State Department recently issued Red (Level 4) warnings against travel to Yemen and Somalia, citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health problems, kidnapping, armed conflict, piracy, and other risks to personal safety. Also in 2019, President Trump extended ...

True Human Rights Defenders React to ICE Press Release on Human Rights Day Washington, DC – The title of the press release said “ICE honors Human Rights Day.” The effect, for those who know the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, could not have been more jarring.  “ICE is one of the principal abusers of human ...

“The death of any child is one death too many” Washington, DC – Last week, ProPublica revealed that U.S. border officials’ callous inaction led to the death of a child, Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez, while in their custody. Yesterday marked one year since the death of another migrant child, Jakelin Caal Maquin, also from a treatable ...