July 12, 2019
PROTECT AGAINST IMMIGRATION RAIDS-- HOW WE ALL CAN HELP!



“Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty,can say to God, ‘You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.’” 
Psalm 91:1-2

Dear Disciples Partners and Friends,

What are we hearing now about potential raids?

Immigrant partners are reporting that, a fter having postponed immigration raids two weeks ago, the administration is preparing to launch a series of raids across major cities starting this Sunday, including but not limited to Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco. Raising further concern, President Trump is expanding the number of targeted individuals and locations. 
  
Immigration enforcement officers are anticipated to target thousands of families, including mixed-status families and teenagers who came into the country unaccompanied and have turned eighteen or older.

To help families and congregations prepare, we have a number of resources located on the Deportation Defense page of the Refugee and Immigration Ministries website for regularly updated resources, and to see deportation and defense resources from Disciples Legal Immigration here .

Here are some resources to protect our families and neighbors:

Please continue to share Know Your Rights resources, such as these:  Know Your Rights (English and Spanish) materials. For other languages, click here . Also see resources like these in English and like these in Spanish from Informed Immigrant, and this booklet in English and this booklet in Spanish from Mijente.
How can our congregations get ready to play important roles?

To be certain our families are ready if raids occur, and to prepare your congregation to stand in support , we urge you to consult Deportation Defense resources.  This guide is one from the “LA RED” immigration partnership of Faith in Action (formerly called PICO); a partnership in many states, and one (among others!) in which a number of Disciples have engaged.
Ways to support families should raids occur:

  • Share your community’s Rapid Response Hotline number with your friends and network. All communities in the U.S. may use this national hotline number, which will refer callers to local resources: 1-888-624-4752.
  • Continue to uplift your faith voices, consider offering a safe gathering space for affected families, and offer vigils to raise awareness and publicly demonstrate your support. See the Deportation Defense Guide for the Faith Community above for examples.
  • If you know a community member who is detained, see these additional resources: From Raids to Deportation: A Community Resource Kit and ICE Raid's Toolkit Immigrant Defense Project.
  • Call Your Elected Officials! Contact local leaders in your jurisdiction. Thank them for any existing policies to protect immigrants, and urge, if you feel led, that sheriff and police not to participate in raids or cooperate with ICE in sharing information about immigrants at risk. See this sample script for your calls.
  • Consider Providing Sanctuary to an immigrant or family should they request it: Share your local list of sanctuary congregations or share this list to find houses of worship that can provide housing to families that are scared of being in their homes or sending their kids to school.

Again, please remember that Disciples resources and supporters through Refugee & Immigration Ministries are ready to offer help and encouragement in this time! Contact RIM Director Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea at: 202-957-7826 or sstanley@dhm.disciples.org , or Tana Liu-Beers, Immigration Legal Counsel at: 317-289-1407 or tana@disciplesimmigration.org .
Follow Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries on Twitter @StanleyRea, and 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.
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