As we continue to witness the daily dehumanization of immigrant families seeking safety in the midst of a broken immigration system ECM calls you to take hopeful action.

This current Administration is enforcing a zero tolerance policy at our southern border - read Senator Elizabeth Warren's account of her recent video to the border. This means families, many of whom are asylum seekers forced to flee violent persecution or grinding poverty, are separated and/or indefinitely detained upon arrival. These unjust practices deny the humanity and dignity of those who have risked their lives for safety.

Even in Massachusetts we have cause for concern, on June 19, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice and Latham and Watkins LLP filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court in Boston to hold Bristol County's sheriff Thomas Hodgson, and the Bristol County Sheriff's Office accountable for their illegal detention of immigrants.

ECM is committed to advocating for policy that creates fair and just pathways to citizenship. However, these current solutions are unacceptable and require our compassionate and courageous action now.

Pray - Thursday, June 28th at 5:00 pm: Attend  Centro Presente's Vigil to condemn Human Rights Violations at the Border at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday, June 28th at 6 p.m. ECM will be convening people for prayer, conversation, and refreshments at 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Paul (138 Tremont Street Boston, MA) in Lower Sproat Hall - join us and attend the vigil in solidarity. Sign up here.

Demonstrate - Saturday, June 30th at 10:30 am: Join immigrant workers from across the state as we urge the MA House of Representatives to pass a budget amendment approved by the Senate that includes four basic protections to stop police from helping round up immigrants and protect civil rights and due process. Demonstration begins at 11:00 am at Boston City Hall. Meet Dean Amy McCreath at the Cathedral at 10:30 am and travel together.

Learn - Saturday, June 30th at 7:00 pm: Temple Tiferet Shalom is hosting an evening of interfaith observance and social action in response to the assault on asylum seekers coming to this country. Join the Peabody, MA clergy of all faiths at this event that will support Families Belong Together and feature interfaith prayer and speakers.

Donate - Increase access to lawyers and bond funds for our immigrant neighbors caught up in cruel policies by donating to an Immigrant Legal Fund. To support detainees in Massachusetts, give to ECM's Immigrant Legal Fund. To improve support for families on the border, donate to RAICES in Texas (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services).

In this time of grief, we encourage you to root deeply into your faith community. this weekend. Connect with other people of faith who, like you, may be struggling to find God's voice and presence in this challenging national moment. Leave refreshed and reconnected to do the work God is asking of each of us.