June 28, 2013
Disciples of Christ Leaders Celebrate Senate’s Historic Immigration Vote, Prepare NEXT for House Discussions
Rev. Noel Andersen of Church World Service, Rev. Michael Livingston of Interfaith Worker Justice, Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea of the Disciples of Christ, and Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block of Bend the Arc march on the US Capitol yesterday calling for comprehensive immigration reform in anticipation of the Senate vote. Photo: CWS
Rev. Noel Andersen of Church World Service, Rev. Michael Livingston of Interfaith Worker Justice, Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea of the Disciples of Christ, and Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block of Bend the Arc march on the US Capitol yesterday calling for comprehensive immigration reform in anticipation of the Senate vote. Photo: CWSFrom preaching in pulpits to signing papers, from speaking with prophetic courage to participating in hearings, storytelling, legislative visits, and prayer, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) leaders have put their faith into repeated actions over the past months to learn about and communicate their values on immigration reform. And on June 27, the U.S. Senate passed a historic immigration reform bill, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S-744) with a strong bipartisan vote of 68-32 that honored their efforts in many ways.General Minister and President Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, praised the vote, which marks an unprecedented opportunity for millions to gain a pathway to citizenship, to help reunite families, and to improve the lives of refugees. “We heartily thank Senators for their hard work, and we celebrate the Senate’s huge step forward with today’s vote. The need for immigration reform has for years impacted our pastors, our churches, and our families. We have been praying for, and many of our pastors have asked for, a plan that provides a clear path to citizenship that helps reunite families and offers humane border security. The Senate’s bi-partisan plan can support many of these values that will help us welcome the stranger—now our neighbors and friends–with greater hospitality in the next generation. And, we are committed to continuing to offer our faithful voices to improve the bill as it continues next to the House of Representatives.”
Some gains under the Senate bill include a better path to citizenship for many of the 11 million neighbors seeking an ongoing life and work in the United States, and a five year path to citizenship for youth and young adults known as Dreamers and many farmworkers. The filing deadline for asylum seekers has been removed, and some battered children and spouses will become eligible for immigrant status. However, the bill also includes provisions added just days ago that will add 20,000 new border guards at a cost of $38 billion, and would drastically alter life in border communities. This week, 268 Hispanic Disciples clergy and lay leaders presented a letter to their Senators which expressed their denouncement of these border “surge” provisions in the Senate bill.
Disciples are already actively voicing their concerns and values about immigration reform discussions in the House. Two weeks ago, Rev. Xose Escamilla participated in a press conference against emerging provisions in the House “SAFE” Act (H.R.-2278, the “Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement Act”). Escamilla said: “It is the time to reconcile border security with the dignity of all human beings, with values that have a foundation on faith and family, and with values that prompt us to welcome the stranger.” Also earlier this month, Disciples Home Missions President, Rev. Dr. Ron Degges, signed a letter with Watkins and numerous ecumenical partners calling for farmworker justice and requesting defeat of H.R. 1773, “The Agricultural Guestworker Act.” That act could eliminate hard won farmworker protections, lower farmworker wages, and remove the path to citizenship for workers who come here to grow food.
In the midst of celebrations of the Senate vote and House discussions ahead, Tana Liu-Beers, immigration counsel for the Refugee and Immigration Ministries (RIM) cautions, “We still have a long way to go before an immigration reform bill becomes law. No one should be paying any ‘immigration consultants’ or notarios to file papers for them.”
Pastors with immigration questions should refer to legal updates posted on the RIM website or call Liu-Beers at: 317-289-1407. Individuals interested in further advocacy information, to request a speaker, or to join update calls and webinars, should contact Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, RIM director, in our Washington, D.C. office at 202-957-7826, or sstanley@dhm.disciples.org. Also “like” the RIM Facebook page, check the RIM website for updates, and/or sign up for Rapid Response newsletters.
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Disciples GMP Urges a Solution for Dreamers Who Remain in Limbo
March 5, 2018On this day when the President proclaimed DACA protections would end unless a Congressional decision was reached, dreamers remain insecure in the absence of a…
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Ash Wednesday Service with Dreamers
February 14, 2018Faith Leaders Performed Ash Wednesday Service with Dreamers in Front of Senator McConnell’s and Schumer’s Office to Demand Passage of Dream Act Washington, D.C. (February…
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RIM Lenten Resources
February 12, 2018Nine Immigration Themed Resources for Lent Encouraging Faith Commitments in Solidarity with Refugees & Immigrants. Go to 2018 Lenten Devotions.
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Disciples & Interfaith Toolkit: Top 5 Ways to Take Action NOW in 2018
January 17, 2018On Jan. 8, 2018, DHS terminated TPS for El Salvador, effective Sept. 9, 2019. As communities of faith, we urge the administration to reinstate TPS…
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Week of Action – Jan. 27 to Feb. 3, 2018
January 17, 2018One Year of Muslim & Refugee Bans: Showing Up Against Discrimination. toolkit and resources
Read more >Clergy, Impacted Immigrants, Faith & Labor Leaders Demand that DHS Extends TPS for 200K Salvadoran Immigrants
January 5, 2018Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea, was among the participants on a press call January 4, to urge the Department of Homeland Security to extend Temporary Protected Status…
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Thank You for 2017 & Join Us to Act for Refugees and Immigrants in 2018!
January 2, 2018Thank you for your partnership in acting to support refugees and immigrants in 2017–and join us in ongoing actions for justice in 2018!! Sign up…
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Epiphany Devotions for Jan. 4-6
January 2, 2018Join in a 3-part Epiphany devotional series and actions in support of Temporary Protected Status populations for Jan. 4-6.
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Advent Devotions
December 4, 2017“Welcome to the Manger” is the theme for the 2017 Advent Devotions. Available for download on the Refugee & Immigration website. Week one: Angels Week…
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Who Grows Food for our Feasts?
November 15, 2017These resources provide education and links that help families and congregations build awareness of our dependence upon the gifts and energies of farmworkers; especially as…
Read more >Dreamers Welcome At the Table
November 13, 2017As we prepare soon to gather around tables again and again during the holiday season, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries invites your congregation and members…
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Haitian TPS Alert
November 10, 2017Dear Disciples Friend, Right now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether or not to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in…
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Christian Leaders Arrested for Peaceful Capitol Hill Protest in Support of Dream Act
November 3, 2017Disciples are among Christian leaders and activists who held hands and sang in an unlawful demonstration inside of the Russell Senate office building in Washington,…
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Praying with Dreamers Week #Faith4Dream Oct. 29 – Nov. 4
October 23, 2017Prepare now to plan Dream Sabbath Events! Check out these resources for ways you can participate.
Read more >Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea Among DC-Area Clergy to Hold White House Rally to Save TPS
October 17, 2017WASHINGTON, DC — Today, October 17th at 11 a.m., local interfaith clergy will host a rally to call on the Trump administration to preserve Temporary…
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Reflections from Conference on Migration, Borders & Reception
October 10, 2017The Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea traveled to Italy to participate in “Living and Witnessing the Border.” An International Conference on Migration, Borders and Reception, September 29…
Read more >Join October 2nd Immigration & Refugee Webinar and participate in Dream Sabbath
September 29, 2017Join the Interfaith Immigration Coalition for this webinar to learn how communities of faith can participate in “Dream Sabbath” events that lift up the stories,…
Read more >RIM Wrap: Sept. 28 Refugee Program
September 28, 2017Please Help Stop the Dismantling of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program and Share Your Heart to Welcome Refugees A Refugee Admissions Goal of 45,000 Is…
Read more >Sept. 27 CWS Press Release on Refugee Resettlement Program
September 28, 2017CONGRESSWOMAN SCHAKOWSKY, FAITH LEADERS, AND REFUGEES URGE CONGRESS TO STOP TRUMP FROM SHUTTING THE DOOR ON REFUGEES On morning of the Trump administration’s consultation with…
Read more >Sharon Stanley-Rea on DACA Decision
September 6, 2017Hear from Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea in an interview with Sojourners on September 5, decision about DACA.
Read more >General Minister and President offers thoughts about DACA
September 6, 2017On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the U.S. administration announced an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that has protected children brought to…
Read more >Urgent: DACA & TPS Recipients at Great Risk: Ways Disciples Can Help!
August 29, 2017Please sign the faith letter & call your leaders today & tomorrow to urge DACA not to be ended, join our DACA & TPS Emergency…
Read more >“Immigrant Welcoming” Resolution Passes at General Assembly
July 21, 2017On Monday, July 10th, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries’ Director joined with Immigration Legal Counsel, the National Benevolent Association, the Central Pastoral Office office of…
Read more >Webinars on July 10th & 13th
July 6, 2017Join the webinar on July 10th and 13th to help immigrants and learn about sanctuary. July 10 Interfaith Immigration Coalition Webinar “5 Ways We Can…
Read more >General Assembly Alerts
July 6, 2017Go here for Summer Recess Toolkit and Alerts for Refugees, Immigrants, Farmworkers, and TPS Recipients. Summer Action Grassroots Toolkit Disciples: Call to Support Refugees Now!…
Read more >Families Rally in Front of White House to Protest Trump Administration’s Aggressive Tactics to Deport Loved Ones to Cambodia
June 28, 2017RIM’s Director (a board member with Southeast Asian Resource Action Center) was grateful to join this a.m. in speaking at Press Conference outside the White…
Read more >Faith Leaders Stand Against Scotus Ruling on Refugee and Muslim Ban Executive Order
June 27, 2017FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2017 CONTACT: media@cwsglobal.org | 202.733.5151 FAITH LEADERS STAND AGAINST SCOTUS RULING ON REFUGEE AND MUSLIM BAN EXECUTIVE ORDER Call on…
Read more >Disciples Statement in Response to Supreme Court Ruling re: Refugee and Muslim Bans
June 27, 2017Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Rev. Dr. Ronald Degges, President, Disciples Home Missions “Disciples are a…
Read more >From Student Visa to Green Card
June 14, 2017From Student Visa to Green Card is now scheduled for Monday, July 10 at 5:00 p.m.— Calling all seminary students! Please join Disciples Immigration Legal…
Read more >CWS Statement on 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling Against President Trump’s Rewritten Refugee Ban
June 12, 2017“The courts have spoken yet again in favor of justice and humanity. As CWS has maintained since January, President Trump’s ill-advised travel ban should never…
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4th Circuit Federal Appeals Court Upholds Block on Trump’s Travel Ban
May 25, 2017The Disciples RIM Staff celebrates the 4th Circuit Appeals Court ruling in Richmond, Va. on May 25 that upheld a lower court ruling which had…
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#ToImmigrantsWithLove
May 25, 2017Join the new #ToImmigrantsWithLove letter writing campaign, sponsored by Define American and I Am An Immigrant. Through it, you can write an electronic letter that…
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New! Refugees Welcome Summer Legislator Postcard!!
May 25, 2017Please deliver to, scan and email, or mail your national, state, and local legislators these postcards that indicate your support for refugees, and share how…
Read more >More Than 400 Faith Leaders & Organizations Nationwide Urge Support for Haitians at Risk for Deportation
May 2, 2017Call on DHS Secretary Kelly to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haiti for another 18 months WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 2, 2017) — CWS and Catholic…
Read more >Stop DHS From Deporting Somalis
April 26, 2017The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently apprehended, detained and deported Somali individuals back to their home country. These Somalis are asylum seekers, asylees,…
Read more >Disciples and United Church of Christ Holy Season Statement on Violence in the Middle East and Refugees
April 18, 2017In the beginning of Holy Week, marking the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, his suffering and his death, we watch with sadness and grief the…
Read more >Disciples Rally 4 Family Justice
April 17, 2017Join us in unity at the start of General Assembly in Indianapolis on Saturday, July 8, 2017, from 3 to 5 p.m., for a Disciples…
Read more >Statement on Violence in the Middle East and Refugees
April 17, 2017Disciples and United Church of Christ Holy Season Statement on Violence in the Middle East and Refugees In the beginning of Holy Week, marking the…
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