Vigils Across U.S. Demand an End to Anti-Asylum Policies
Washington, DC – January 29th marks one year of the disastrous Remain in Mexico policy that traps asylum seekers in Mexico while they wait for hearings in the United States. Faith communities and immigrants’ rights groups are marking the date with a national day of prayer and action. In DC there will be a vigil in front of Capitol Hill, at 100 Maryland Ave NE on January 29th at 11 AM calling on lawmakers to defund the Remain in Mexico/Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) policy that puts asylum seekers at deadly risk.
WHAT: Faith and community organizations hold prayer and action vigil on Capitol Hill
WHEN: Wednesday, January 29th at 11 AM ET
WHERE: Steps of the Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave NE
WHO:
Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries will MC. Rabbi Esther Lederman, Union for Reform Judaism will offer the opening prayer.
Latin America Working Group, Amnesty International USA, Church World Service, and Cameroon American Council will give brief remarks.
Welcome, prayers, and litany will be offered by Conference of Major Superiors of Men, United Methodist Church, Franciscan Action Network, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Sojourners, American Friends Service Committee, Church World Service, and Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
VIGIL COSPONSORS: Interfaith Immigration Coalition, American Friends Service Committee, Amnesty International USA, Cameroon American Council, CASA, Church World Service, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, Franciscan Action Network, Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Latin America Working Group, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Refugee and Immigration Ministries Disciples Home Missions, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Sojourners Immigration, The United Church of Christ, and United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society.
Outrage against policies that restrict asylum is strongly felt across the U.S. Vigils are also planned in Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Pennsylvania (see listing/map under Host A Vigil).
The Remain in Mexico/MPP policy is making asylum seekers vulnerable to kidnapping, trafficking, extortion, rape, and murder. People of faith, immigrants’ rights groups, and policy makers demand that asylum seekers receive the protection and care they deserve. Only 4% of asylum seekers forced to remain in Mexico have been able to get lawyers to help with their cases, and only 1% have been granted asylum.
To follow the nationwide day of action, check #Faith4Asylum on social media and see the website here: https://faith4asylum.com/. For more details about the DC vigil, see the Facebook event: http://bit.ly/AsylumVigilDC.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants.
Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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