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We’re thankful for the folks who have already contacted us about getting involved to welcome Afghan refugees after a Special Edition newsletter went out earlier this month. Our work relies on the partnership of people like you. If you haven’t gotten involved in welcoming Afghan refugees yet but want to, you still can; very soon, Bethany Christian Services in West Michigan will be receiving individuals and families fleeing from Afghanistan. They are looking for churches and other community groups to support Afghan refugee arrivals through transportation, English tutoring, housing coordination, friendship, and more.
- If you are in the wider West Michigan area, please contact Kendra David at kdavid@crcna.org for more details.
- If you are in other parts of the U.S., please check out Refugee Council USA’s page to find a refugee resettlement agency in your part of the country and contact them to find out what your area needs!
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In the next couple of weeks, the House and the Senate will likely be voting on a budget package that includes a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, farmworkers, and other essential workers. After more than twenty years of advocating for a permanent legislative solution, millions of undocumented immigrants could receive stability and protection for themselves and their families. Help get the bill across the finish line by contacting your Members of Congress to urge them to support passing a pathway to citizenship!
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On September 20, the Biden administration announced its intention to increase the refugee admissions goal to 125,000 for fiscal year 2022. After the increasingly low refugee numbers of recent years, immigration organizations have welcomed the announcement while simultaneously encouraging the administration to expand the number to 200,000 and invest in rebuilding the resettlement program’s capacity to welcome increased numbers of refugees. The fiscal year begins October 1, and before an official determination is made, the administration is required to consult with Congress. As Christians, we have the opportunity to demonstrate love and hospitality by urging our elected officials to increase the country’s ability to welcome people fleeing persecution. Take action here to advocate for your refugee neighbors!
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Title 42, a policy which allows for the rapid expulsion of migrants under the pretense of health concerns, is being used to expel thousands of Haitian migrants who have recently arrived at the Southern border. Many of these migrants are being repatriated to Haiti, which in recent months, has experienced a presidential asassination and an earthquake that have exacerbated previously-existing humanitarian needs due to the pandemic and the lasting impact of the 2010 earthquake. All of this is happening even as the Biden administration is proposing increased welcome for refugees and Afghan allies. Check out this opinion piece to consider more fully the contradictory ways our country treats people seeking refuge, and consider joining the #WelcomeWithDignity movement to support a more humane reception system for all migrants and refugees.
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We’re offering in-person Church Between Borders workshops again! If you are in West Michigan, you can request an in-person Church Between Borders workshop at your church, Bible study, business, non-profit, friend hangout, book club...you get the idea. If you aren’t in West Michigan, we can always do an online workshop. You can check out descriptions of each workshop in the series and fill out this contact form if you’re interested!
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Interested in connecting your congregation with refugee resettlement? Church World Services invites you to join them for “Together We Welcome”, an online conference for faith leaders, clergy, community members and immigrant leaders to hear important information about refugee resettlement and migration from both faith leaders and refugee resettlement staff. Attendees will learn, share with one another, build relationships and walk away with specific actions to foster welcome in their local communities. This conference will feature four key tracks with over 32 sessions, plenary sessions with keynote speakers, opportunities for formal and informal networking as well as a virtual Expo hall to meet with local resettlement offices, denomination staff (we’ll be there too!) and other experts in the field. Hope to see you there!
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Change the Conversation/In Case You Missed It
- As the Church faces an influx of refugees from Afghanistan,
“Now is the time for Christians to stand up and make refugee resettlement programs bigger and better than ever before. To rethink not only the how, but they why, remembering that we welcome refugees not because they are Christian, but because we are.”
Check out the blog post “They Will Know We Are Christians by our Refugee Resettlement” from this March for the full text.
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We've been working hard to spread the truth about the blessings of immigrants in our country and to counter myths that have the power to turn into policy that harms our immigrant brothers and sisters.
We can’t do it without you. Help continue this important work.
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