April 8, 2020
This Holy Week,

Follow Jesus' Steps & Journey with Immigrants During COVID-19
As we seek to walk the way of the cross during this tragic pandemic affecting us all, we ache for ways immigrants & asylum seekers are feeling disproportionate harm:


*About 35,000 migrants are being held in long recognized unsanitary ICE & CBP detention cells, despite that the vast majority do not have criminal charges and 3000 health leaders and human rights worker s have requested release of non-criminal detainees;

* Deportations of adults and children continue despite COVID-19, & Disciples deeply grieve the recent deportation to Mexico of our AZ leader , Ramon Beja r;

*Asylum seekers are being denied rights to due process and protection by closed borders but instead are sent back into dangers in Central America, without adequate health screenings;

*Undocumented immigrants who grow food, serve meals, build houses, and support all our families, churches, and communities in multiple ways have been largely left out of COVID relief packages thus far

Here Are Ways To Build Holy Hope:

 
1) Join T his Faith Leader COVID-19 sign on letter by Tuesday, April 14th, to  include immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in all COVID-19 recovery plans - and keep families and communities together. Please fill out this form to sign on: bit.ly/COVID19FaithLeaderSignOn .

  2) Follow this " Way of Asylum " Stations of the Cross to encounter links between Jesus' journey and the journey of vulnerable migrants seeking safety. (Image in header by Michelina Nicotera-Taxiera, whose artwork inspired the creation by Tucson border advocates of the stations as a community experience of compassion and empathy for migrant pathways.

3) Pray these " DACA-Themed" Lenten Devotions day by day, and Write an Op-Ed to support Dreamers and empasize how 27,000 DACA healthcare leaders are helping during the pandemic.

4) Resist Growing Racism through this Sign On Letter by the Asian American Christian Collaborative.

5) Share the Opportunity & Join Disciples "IWOBS" (Immigrant-led Weekly Online Bible Studies). See flyer below, and RSVP here . An "Inner Study" for directly impacted community members will happen on April 2, 16, & 30 at 11 am ET, and an "Outer Study" for all who wish to study scripture thru an immigrant-based lens will happen April 9 and 23. Questions? Contact Valeria Bejar, Disciples Immigration Response Specialist: vbejar@cpohm.disciples.org.
Follow Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries on Twitter @StanleyRea, & on FB at: http://bit.ly/RIMFacebook, and call Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries, with any questions: 202-957-7826. See our website at: bit.ly/DisciplesRIM, & Sign Up HERE to receive our important refugee & immigration "RIM WRAP" Alerts!