Last weekend, Liberians from our Disciples Whosoever Will Christian Church in Maryland inspired hundreds of Disciples gathered for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations through their praise and song (See photo.)
They likewise joined with speaker
Dr. Michael Kinnamon
and attendees in seeking to confront fears our society is raising against immigrants, refugees, and other communities of color--despite evidence of vast contributions of immigrants to our nation's
strength
,
safety
, and
economy
.
However, fears within the Liberian community continue to build--especially due to the Administration's announced removal of protections for nearly 4,000 Liberians who currently have protected "Deferred Enforced Departure" status. Without a solution, these persons will lose their work authorizations and become subject to deportation imminently; on March 31, 2019.
SIGN ON
HERE
AS FAITH LEADERS AND
HERE
AS ORGANIZATIONS/CONGREGATIONS
BY JANUARY 28TH
TO ENSURE LIBERIANS WITH DED, ALONG WITH DREAMERS & TPS RECIPIENTS, RETAIN PROTECTIONS!
This is a positive step Congress can take NOW!
To stop longtime Liberian residents and members of congregations throughout the U.S. from losing their status, PLEASE SIGN ON IMMEDIATELY to this
faith leader letter
, and to this
organizational letter
, to remind Congress that
dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders are in urgent need of a permanent, legislative solution that provides a pathway to citizenship without undercutting other immigrant community members.
Our Disciples partnership with Liberians has been long and strong, and Americans share a centuries' old heritage with Liberia.
As Rev. Marco Cable, Executive of Global Ministries Africa Office reminds, "The first missionaries sent to Africa were Black Americans who went to Liberia."
Find further background information about Liberians and DED
here
, and please
sign on
to the faith letter NOW!!
We invite you to support the ongoing work of
Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries
to ensure justice for refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers. (Click "choose an option," and select "Refugee & Immigration Ministries.") And--check our
RIM website
for new refugee & immigration information often!
