Shortly before the end of his life, Moses reminded Israel, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19)

TODAY is a crucial day to STAND AND RAISE YOUR VOICE WITH AND FOR IMMIGRANTS!

Around the country, Disciples like those pictured above from Lynchburg, VA, Indianapolis, IN.,  Washington, DC, Greensboro, NC--and so many others--have been speaking publicly in faith, writing letters, making visits, calling legislators, and providing education for their congregations and communities in support of dreamers and other immigrants.  Now TODAY, the Senate has reached a critical point in its debates around immigration, and Senators need to hear from YOU about what you feel and want!  This is urgent, as nearly 20,000 dreamers have already lost protections.

The Senate is likely to begin voting THIS AFTERNOON on a number of amendments regarding protections for Dreamers. Amendments also include issues related to 

* Border security * * Asylum seekers * * Family migration * and other issues.

KEY VALUES we continue to raise up include:

--Protect family unity/do not ban families from re-uniting.

--Uphold asylum access/oppose forced return of immigrants into danger & traffickers.

--Preserve family based migration/oppose drastic legal immigration cuts that give preference to persons based on wealth, race, gender, or education.

THREE bills are anticipated to be discussed that relate to dreamers, as well as ONE that is unrelated to dreamers.  Not every advocate group--and certainly not every Disciple!--stands in the same place regarding each bill.  However, we share this guidance below as you follow your heart's decision to enact your values, and hopefully to:

CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY at 202-224-3121!!

"I am your constituent from [CITY/TOWN] and [as a person of faith], as the Senate debates a solution for Dreamers, I strongly urge you to REJECT Senator Grassley's amendment #1959, Senator Schumer's amendment #1958, and Senator Toomey's amendment #1948, and to instead SUPPORT Senator Coons' amendment #1955.

Support Coons #1955, the USA Act, which is narrowly tailored to protect as many dreamers as possible and includes a data-driven approach to accountable border security.

This is urgent, as more than 19,000 DACA recipients have lost their protection and hundreds of thousands will if congress fails to act. My community welcomes immigrants, and I call on you to reflect the best of America's values by taking a stand to protect dreamers and preserve family unity."