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Protect Immigrant Children and Families and Keep Them Together June 20th, 2018
Reflection
“And who is my neighbor?”
He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’
Luke 10: 29; 36-37
Background
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate – JPIC Ministry expresses solidarity with many religious voices and communities in condemning the separation of children from their parents at the U.S/Mexico border. We support the concerns as expressed by other Catholic voices including United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) that migrant children and families seeking safety must be kept together. A zero tolerance policy of separating children from their parents is not a deterrent. As people of faith, we are called to stand and protect the dignity of poor and abandoned people, especially vulnerable children and parents crossing the border.
“When the stranger in our midst appeals to us, we must not repeat the sins and the errors of the past. We must resolve now to live as nobly and as justly as possible, as we educate new generations not to turn their back on our “neighbors” and everything around us.”
(Pope Francis to Join Session of U.S Congress- September 24, 2015).
Action
Tell Congress to Stop Separating Families & Protect Family Unity. Join U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign action calling for the protection of immigrant children and families seeking safety and shelter from violence by keeping these families together.
Prayer
God: We pray for all people. We pray for those who leave their countries of origin in search for a better life for their families. Help us to stand strong in our actions of solidarity and prayers. Give courage to elected leaders to do the right thing of enacting laws that protects all immigrant children and their families. You always make something new in each one of us. With your help, let us build a better world for all people. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Five Things You Can Do to End Family Separation: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/2016site/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Five-Ways-You-Can-Help-Stop-Family-Separation.pdf
Update
On June 20, the Trump Administration announced an executive order on family separation. Together with other faith partners, we will provide an update in the coming days on whether this order ends the zero-tolerance policy on migrant families.
On February 26 Urge Congress to Protect Dreamers February 22nd, 2018
Join U.S Catholics on February 26: National Call-In Day to Protect Dreamers
On Monday, February 26, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging Catholics to call Congress and demand they act on behalf of Dreamers. Please join with other Catholics across the country in calling on Senators and Representatives to urge them to give Dreamers protection and a path to citizenship.
There are approximately 1.8 million Dreamers (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals-DACA) living in this country who were brought to the United States as young children and teens. They worship with us in our churches and serve in the military, contribute to the economy, and bring diverse talents to American society.
The DACA program, which previously granted temporary legal status to Dreamers, was revoked by the current administration and will expire on March 5, leaving almost a million Dreamers vulnerable to arrest, deportation and separation from their families.
As Catholics, we are taught to care for the foreigner: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Mt 25:35). This is our faith tradition as Christians – to care for our neighbor.
Your voice is needed! Take Action on February 26 to Protect Dreamers.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and its Justice for Immigrants Campaign (JFI) are calling all Catholics to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to urge them to take action for Dreamers.
- Please call 855-589-5698 to reach the Capitol switchboard and press 1 to connect to your Senator. Once you are connected to the Senator‘s offices, please ask the person on the phone to deliver this simple message to your legislator:
“I urge you to support a bipartisan, common-sense, and humane solution for Dreamers. Protect Dreamers from deportation and provide them with a path to citizenship. Reject proposals that undermine family immigration or protections for unaccompanied children. As a Catholic, I know that families are not “chains,” but a blessing to be protected. Act now to protect Dreamers, our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
- Please call 855-589-5698 a second time to reach the Capitol switchboard again. Press 2 to connect to your Representative. Once you are connected to the Representative’s office, please ask the person on the phone to deliver the same message as above.
After completing your call, please go to http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org to learn more about Dreamers and find other ways to voice your support.
Take Action to Protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program August 31st, 2017
STAND IN SUPPORT OF DREAMers
(Por favor lea esto en Español)
Terminating Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will impact negatively thousands of immigrant youth, their families and local communities where they are valuable members.
Today, we as people of faith must call on our elected leaders to keep the DACA program.
Click on this alert from U.S. Catholic bishops’ Justice for Immigrants Campaign and ACT!
Ask your members of Congress to STAND IN SUPPORT OF DREAMers and co-sponsor the DREAM Act of 2017 (S. 1615 / H.R. 3440).
Action Alert: Urge Congress to Continue to Protect Trafficking Victims July 12th, 2017
The U.S. House of Representatives may be considering H.R. 2200, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2017. We urge you to voice your support!
H.R. 2200 would reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The TVPA, the original foundational anti-trafficking legislation in the U.S., was created in 2000 and has been reauthorized four times by overwhelmingly bipartisan votes. H.R. 2200 was introduced by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ-4) and Representative Karen Bass (D-CA-37) on April 27, 2017.
Supporting H.R. 2200 is an important step the United States can take to demonstrate our nation’s continued efforts to eradicate human trafficking and assist human trafficking victims. H.R. 2200 ensures critical funding for both domestic and international anti-trafficking programs. Reauthorizing the TVPA helps ensure that victims are able to continue to access programs and services that recognize the importance of dignified care.
Take Action by sending the following message:
Dear Representative,
As a concerned Catholic, I urge you to support H.R. 2200. I firmly believe in the dignity of the human person and this belief calls on me to protect the most vulnerable, including victims of human trafficking. H.R. 2200 is important, as it reauthorizes the TVPA, providing service provisions that will aid victims. Supporting H.R. 2200 will ensure that our nation’s efforts to eradicate human trafficking and assist human trafficking victims continue.
I thank Congress for its long-standing commitment to confront modern-day slavery. As a Catholic, I stand ready to support victims and appreciate your work to eradicate human trafficking.
Send the message from this link:
http://www.capwiz.com/justiceforimmigrants/issues/alert//?alertid=78157626&type=CO
Click here to read the US Bishops’ letter of support for H.R. 2200.
Take Action to Oppose Senate Version of Better Care Reconciliation Act July 6th, 2017
The Senate has postponed its vote on the health care bill, the 2017 Better Care Reconciliation Act— but negotiations continue, and the bill could soon come to the floor. Please contact your Senators and urge them to 
vote against the bill as it stands and make changes in favor of the poor and vulnerable. This legislation takes funding for healthcare coverage from our most vulnerable individuals and families and uses it for tax cuts for some of our most wealthy citizens.
The US Bishops have expressed deep concern and are asking for changes to the bill before Congress votes. Visit USCCB’s action center to send a pre-written alert to your Senators or write your own. Ask them to act with compassion and draft a better health care bill.
Visit USCCB’s Action Center to contact your Senator: https://www.votervoice.net/USCCB/Campaigns/53371/Respond
Read a Catholic Health Association article about the healthcare bill.
