President Trump issued a new Executive Order to “cancel legal immigration,” claiming that it would help the hard hit economy. The order bans many immigrants from entering the United States and keeps families apart for at least sixty days. Faith leaders reacted strongly, calling his exploitation of the coronavirus public health emergency a “national disgrace.” Read more about the Executive Order here and its impacts here.
Whenever things aren’t going well for him, Trump tries to change the subject by playing the anti-immigrant card. But we will not let fear-mongering and scapegoating deter us. We will not be distracted from what is really going on. With chaos swirling around us, our faith anchors us to the truth: that even (or especially) in times of tumult we care for our neighbor, protect the vulnerable, and act with compassion and fierce, revolutionary love. Join us and show that immigrants and refugees ARE welcome in the United States.
STEP ONE: Support immigrants in your community.
- If you can, donate a portion of your stimulus check to a local organization that provides direct support to undocumented immigrants, such as Movimiento Cosecha, the National UndocuFund from United We Dream, or the funds listed here.
- Help a DACA recipient maintain status by donating to the DACA Renewal Fund.
STEP TWO: Advocate for the U.S. to live up to our proclaimed values.
- Tell Congress to stop the administration’s new executive order – take action here.
- Urge Members of Congress to include immigrants and refugees in the next COVID relief bill, making sure that everyone has access to testing, treatment, and safety net programs – take action here.
STEP THREE: Multiply the movement and spread truth.
- Encourage your faith community, family members, and neighbors to do the same as you did by sharing this action alert!
- Counter the negative narrative by bringing this issue to your congregation and faith community: pray that we should be compassionate towards our immigrant neighbors, and protect refugees and immigrants who are essential workers.
- Check out the #FaithforAsylum and #FaithforDACA toolkits to give your faith community more pro-immigrant action steps to take now.