Holy Spirit, San Antonio Sponsors Asylum-Seeking Families in Waiting |
Immigration Ministries thanks the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, San Antonio for their generous support of a young Haitian man and two asylum-seeking families from Haiti, waiting in Matamoros. After Team Brownsville helped these families secure temporary housing, essentials, and appliances, Holy Spirit, San Antonio has provided housing and rental support through the end of the year. Read their full story below and contact Flor Saldivar, Coordinator for Immigrant and Refugee Ministries, to get involved. |
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RGV Hurricane Hanna Relief and COVID-19 Ministry Support Grant Applications Close Friday, September 11 at 5:00 p.m. |
Applications for Hurricane Hanna and COVID-19 micro-grants will close Friday, September 11th at 5:00 p.m. Episcopal congregations and ministries within Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties seeking to expand or launch outreach ministries to support families affected by COVID-19 and Hurricane Hanna are encouraged to contact Flor Saldivar, Coordinator for Immigrant and Refugee Ministries, and apply. |
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The Education Corner: Migrant, Immigrant, Refugee, Asylum Seeker - What's the Difference?
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The United States' immigration system is complex and often difficult to understand; however, it doesn't have to be. Each Immigration Ministries' newsletter will feature one topic in The Education Corner, sharing basic information and background facts necessary to understand it. This week, let's learn the differences between migrants, immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers.
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"We Welcome" Organization Calls on Christians to Unite to Spread God's Message of Love |
Brooklyn Stevens, member of the Christian humanitarian organization, We Welcome, calls on Christians to unite and share God's love with a powerful poem "Unraveling". Listen as she shares the chilling realities of the division of Christians and the polarization of God's call to "love thy neighbor". |
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Weekly Migrant Cycle of Prayer: September 10 |
Join Immigration Ministries each Thursday at 7:00 p.m., for a fifteen minute Migrant Cycle of Prayer for a rotating list of asylum-seekers, detention centers, detainees, and staff. This week, prayers will be led by Rev. Paul Frey from Christ Episcopal Church in Laredo. Pre-registration is required. |
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"Stories of Sponsorship" - Texas Border Sponsorship Forum: October 6 |
"Stories of Sponsorship" is a 90-minute forum co-hosted by diocesan Immigration Ministries and the Lutheran Synod of Southwestern Texas, on Tuesday, October 6th, at 5:00 p.m. CT. Current and former sponsors (both individuals and congregations) will share their experience serving as sponsors, how they decided to become sponsors, the process, surprises, and more. Whether you, or your congregation, have sponsored an asylum-seeker before, are interested in sponsorship, or simply want to learn more, join us as we speak with congregations from across the country that support migrant communities in this way.
Click here to view the recording of the September Border Forum, about helping asylum-seekers access legal assistance, medical care, and other support services.
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"Updates from the Border" Webinar Recording Available |
Immigration Ministries hosted the Updates from the Border: Team Brownsville, COVID-19, and Hurricane Hanna webinar featuring special guest and Team Brownsville co-founder, Andrea Rudnik. To learn about the founding of Team Brownsville and the effects of COVID-19 and Hurricane Hanna on the Matamoros Encampment, click the link below to access the webinar recording; the video password is "dwtx". |
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Immigration Ministries thanks and commends the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, San Antonio for their generous support of a young Haitian man and two asylum-seeking families from Haiti, waiting in Matamoros.
When the U.S./Mexico border and applications to request asylum closed through the end of 2020, these families were left at the U.S./Mexico border with no support or housing. After requesting directions to the tent encampment from a passerby, they were robbed of their belongings and documentation by members of organized crime groups.
With no paperwork or belongings, these families were left without housing and essentials. Even after they were able to find the Matamoros encampment, Mexican immigration officials would not allow them to enter. Thanks to generous support from Team Brownsville, these families were able to secure temporary housing, basic essentials, and appliances in Matamoros.
Simultaneously, the Church of the Holy Spirit in San Antonio had reached out to Immigration Ministries to discuss ways that their congregation could help respond faithfully to the ongoing crisis on the border. After discussing their resources, interests, and different opportunities with Flor Saldivar, Coordinator for Immigrant and Refugee Ministries, Holy Spirit, San Antonio is providing housing and rent support through the end of the year for these families.
To get involved and learn more about how you and your congregation can partner with Immigration Ministries, contact Flor, at immigration@dwtx.org.
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Please keep these families and individuals in your prayers. Many people continue to wait their immigration court date at the Matamoros tent encampment; others have been released from detention centers in America and await a sponsorship placement; and others are hospitalized, receiving critical care.
For Alayson, Anderson, Arely, Arcenio, Carlos, Celeste, Dominick, Emanuel, Fabiola, Génesis, Luis, Luisito, Macias, Nicol, Perla, Xóchitl, and the Pedro Family, let us pray to the Lord.
Click the button below for guided prayer suggestions from the Weekly Migrant Cycle of Prayer bulletin.
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