Send this Postcard NOW to Governor Wolf in Pennsylvania to urge Berks family detention center be closed, and all families be safely released!:
Download Your Copies Here: berks_postcard_final1220
Urge ICE to Release Children and Families NOW from Family Detention Centers:
*See this Press Release for July 27, 2020 ICE Headquarters faith action in D.C. to encourage release of the children with their parents.
*Use these Paper Doll Instructions for a Free The Families Vigil to make paper chains to represent numbers of children and family members in detention: 260 as of July 11, 2020.
*Use these Paper Doll Templates against family detention to print out for making and decorating paper chains for your vigil against family detention.
*See here Prayers for Children and Families in Detention, Disciples for help to plan your vigil to support freedom for families and children in detention.
*See at left an image of backgrounds of Families Detained currently in detention under COVID.
*Print this out as an additional image to use to show your community’s support for children: Jesus Loves the Little Children
*Share and sign this Action to Urge Release of the Children Together with their Family Members from detention.
On August 23, 2019, the administration formally published another restrictive and long promised federal regulation which would eliminate the protections of the Flores agreement, and will allow for the indefinite detention of immigrant children. Already, at least four court cases are seeking to block implementation of the new regulation. If not held up by the courts, the rule will go into effect in 60 days from the time of publishing.
During the height of the family separation crisis, reporters and lawmakers brought to light horrifying conditions in current U.S. detention centers. On September 7th of 2018, the administration had first proposed the new rule to eliminate the so-called “Flores Settlement Protections.” Since 1997, Flores protections have required that children be released from custody without delay, with preference they be released to a parent, and that they must be held in the least restrictive setting; generally in a non-secure facility which should be licensed by a child welfare agency.
The newly published federal rule would instead allow the federal government to set different standards for holding families and children, and would attempt to undermine independent oversight of conditions. It also reduces vulnerable families’ access to due process and humanitarian protections. The new rule would: 1) Dismantle Flores Protections; 2) Allow for indefinite detention of immigrant children and families; and 3) Reject more humane–and far less expensive–alternatives to detention.
Since the rule was proposed in 2018, Disciples joined with other faith communities and more than 250,000 persons in making comments against the rule, and expressing concerns about consequences of the rule.
2018 Resources:
See Resources used to help communities offer comments about the new rule:
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You’re invited to support children and moms in the Dilley Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, by providing Children and Adult Spanish Bibles & Bible Story Books. For additional information and how to order.
Families in Detention Angel to Angel Project: Please join children, parents, friends and people of faith across the country in sending cards of care and prayer to the almost 700 undocumented mothers and children (infants through teens) who have been detained. For an informational flyer on this letter writing project to children and families in detention, visit: (English)(Spanish) (revised 2016)
“Responding to Humanitarian Crises: Syrian and Central American Refugees” – Interfaith Immigration Coalition Webinar, October 19, 2015: PowerPoint Presentation and Audio Recording.
Additional Resources:
Disciples! Continue to Work to End Family Detention — Nov.
Dear Disciples Friends,
Since returning from General Assembly a week ago, much has happened related to immigrant detention! So many of you have been advocating for MONTHS to END FAMILY DETENTION of the mothers and children who came to the U.S. last year fleeing violence in Central America. Sadly, thousands have been placed in family detention centers in Dilley and Karnes City, Texas, and in Berks, Pennsylvania after arrival. Throughout the past year, Disciples have prayed, written cards, held vigils, sent Bibles, and raised your voices through legislative visits to end family detention.
Then, just last Friday, Judge Dolly Gee of California issued her long-awaited ruling on family detention; stating that the U.S. use of family detention centers is a violation of the previous “Flores Settlement” from 1997, and calling for the parents and children to be released from today’s family centers in Dilley, Karnes, and Berks (unless they can be shown to be a flight risk or threat to national security). In response, Dr. Sharon Watkins made a statement on Monday of this week to urge the administration to not appeal the judge’s ruling. Read excerpts from Dr. Watkins’ statement, and learn what you can do to help the mothers and children, here. (in Spanish)
Washington D.C. – Today, the American Immigration Council and Center for Migration Studies release A Humane Approach Can Work: The Effectiveness of Alternatives to Detention for Asylum Seekers by Mark Noferi. The paper argues that widespread U.S. detention of asylum seekers is not only harmful, but unnecessary. It summarizes empirical research that asylum seekers fleeing persecution arrive uniquely inclined to appear for court hearings, and will do so if they are treated humanely and fairly—i.e. released instead of detained, and provided legal assistance before their hearing.
Given this evidence, the U.S. government should design a system of supervised release with legal assistance for asylum seekers—which can work with both far less human cost and financial cost to taxpayers.
To view the paper in its entirety, see:
July 2, 2015
Dear Faith Partners,
As we approach this July Fourth holiday and focus on the values and privileges of liberty so deeply cherished, we wanted to thank you each for how you supported the freedom goals of detained immigrant women and children when you signed last Spring’s “Faith Leaders’ Open Letter Against Family Detention.” By doing so, you witnessed to the prophet Isaiah’s call to seek to “correct oppression” (Is. 1:17) and to “speak out in defense of the poor” (Prov. 31:8-9).
While it is true that the number of mothers and children currently in detention has expanded greatly over the past 2 months to more than 2,500 (with 461 now detained in Karnes, TX, 2,043 in Dilley, TX, and 89 in Berks County, PA as of last week)[1] nonetheless your faith voice, through the letter and ongoing prayer vigils and demonstrations, has helped strengthen a steadily growing avalanche of resistance to family detention and march towards mercy for those detained.
On May 21st, the letter you signed was hand delivered to officials in the Obama administration as a part of lengthy conversations about the inhumanity of family detention and alternatives to detention by a group of more than 18 faith partners. The group met with four White House representatives, including the Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and senior representatives from the Office of Public Engagement and Domestic Policy Council. While it was clear that White House staff listened intently, took frequent notes, and were surprised by the unity and volume of faith voices against detention, their responses nonetheless stopped short of any commitment to end family detention.
Yet momentum against detention continued to mount the following week when 136 Democratic members of Congress called on Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to stop detaining families.[2] Thirty-three Senators quickly joined suit with their own letter on June 1st that reiterated “the prolonged detention of asylum-seeking mothers and children who pose no flight risk or danger to the community is unacceptable.”[3] Sister Kathleen Erickson, recent chaplain inside the Dilley Center, testified June 11th on Capitol Hill in private member meetings and to full rooms of Senate and House staffers about the immorality of detention and psychological traumas caused by incarcerating mothers and children.[4] A week and a half later, at the request of DHS Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, a Congressional delegation of 8 traveled inside Karnes and then Dilley to see first-hand the conditions faced by immigrants themselves.
Most importantly–in the few short months since you signed the “Faith Leaders’ Open Letter Against Family Detention”–legislators, activists, and people of faith alike have continued to be inspired to action especially due to the suffering, bravery, and constant resistance to detention by those most personally affected — the mothers and children themselves. Stories of attempted suicide (such as the case of Lilian Oliva Bardales and her 4-year-old son,)[5] resulting retaliation from the early April hunger strikes at Karnes,[6] actions of 10 women in the Berks center to stop working for $1/day,[7] and the powerful calls for “Libertad!” recorded inside Dilley on a congressional leader’s video camera during their June 22nd tour[8] have coalesced as a resounding shout for freedom for child and mom migrants who have arrived seeking the protection of asylum.
Against such a backdrop of voices, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced the need for “substantial changes to our detention practices when it comes to families” on June 24th.[9] Yet, while such reforms are important steps toward helping families potentially experience more fair processes in seeking protection, children and mothers are still left bound by an inappropriate and traumatic model of detention, in facilities most often run by corporations for private gain. A number of faith communities have drafted comments in response to such decisions.[10]
In the days ahead, Federal Judge Dolly Gee, with the U.S. Central District Court in Los Angeles, is likely to issue a previously delayed ruling on whether the U.S. practice of family detention violates sections of the 1997 case settlement of Flores v. Meese. That case required that migrant children be released to foster care or relatives, or if detention is deemed necessary, that they are placed in the least restrictive environment possible — and in facilities specifically licensed for care for children. Judge Gee had released a tentative ruling in April that such violations exist, but placed her ruling on hold to allow immigration and government officials to negotiate. The future of the Obama Administration’s use of family detention, and the centers themselves, are likely to be significantly affected by such a ruling. It is anticipated that Judge Gee’s ruling will be made public within a week.
We can expect several possible scenarios, depending upon the decision contained in Judge Gee’s announcement:
1) Undocumented women and children may be released, and/or the centers may be asked to close;
2) Children may be released, but the mothers still held in detention;
3) Revisions to practices of family detention may be implemented;
Of course, other scenarios could also emerge, dependent upon the decision announced. But importantly, faith leaders are already preparing to respond, through Press Conferences, issuing statements, using social media through faith campaigns like #freefamilies, and seeking opportunities to raise concerns about family detention in summer faith conferences and assemblies.
IN THIS CRITICAL MOMENT, can you, as ones who have already demonstrated your commitment to ending detention, continue to join us in preparing to respond–and let us know how you will continue to commit your heart and raise your voice to help families in detention? PLEASE ACT NOW TO:
*Continue to speak, write op-eds, and visit your legislators to share your resistance to detention.
*Utilize education resources like the one from IIC partners below—and join the faith social media campaign to tell the Administration to #freefamilies? (See link below)[11]
*Join in events around the country for the July 7-11 “Week of Action to End Detention”[12] (See link below)
As we all plan for Fourth of July celebrations of freedom, may we thank God for enormous opportunities we enjoy to move and speak and work so openly. Yet, may we also continue to pray for courage “to proclaim that captives will be released” (Luke 4:18). And may we especially pray for ears to hear and continue to respond to their own chanting—even while in detention—that “Libertad!” might be offered at last to migrants seeking asylum.
In shared faith, seeking justice,
Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Refugee & Immigration Ministries, (in representation of ecumenical faith partners grateful for your support for the “Faith Leaders’ Open Letter Against Family Detention”)
[1] http://thehill.com/homenews/house/246330-dems-push-to-close-immigrant-detention-centers
[2] https://lofgren.house.gov/uploadedfiles/family_detention.pdf
[3]http://immigrantjustice.org/sites/immigrantjustice.org/files/Senate_FamilyDetentionLtr_DHS_2015_06_01.pdf
[4] http://www.sistersofmercy.org/about-us/news-and-events/speaking-out-against-family-detention-on-capitol-hill/
[5] http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/immigration/article25186393.html
[6] http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/supporters-allege-retaliation-against-hunger-striking-moms-and-kids
[7] http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/politics/82975-protesters-call-for-closing-immigrant-family-detention-center-in-berks
[8] http://www.buzzfeed.com/johnstanton/undocumented-immigrant-families-protest-conditions-at-detent#.yuKrlre0a
[9] http://www.dhs.gov/news/2015/06/24/statement-secretary-jeh-c-johnson-family-residential-centers
[10]As one example, see: http://www.cwsglobal.org/for-the-press/policy-statements/cws-statement-regarding.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
[11] http://www.interfaithimmigration.org/2015/06/05/religious-holiday-resources/
[12]http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/end-detention-week-of-action/
On April 22, Disciples clergy, Rev. Charles Kutz-Marks and Rev. Lyndon Rogers from Austin joined with Disciples Women leader Rev. Lori Tapia from Gilbert, Ariz., and Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director of Refugee & Immigration Ministries to help coordinate a prayer vigil for women and children being held in detention inside the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. All of the women and children fled violence, like refugees, from the countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador last year. Most are eligible for asylee status due to the violence they have faced—but are being held by private prison companies at high bond rates. (See our RIM background resources on family detention below.)
Before the afternoon Prayer Vigil with dozens of faith leaders, nearly 20 ecumenical faith partners joined in a morning meeting with Sister Kathleen Erickson, who was serving as Chaplain at the Dilley Center. (See photo.) Faith leaders learned from her that “The children’s bibles and story books your churches are sending are like gold to the children and Moms in the Center.” See our ongoing call for these resources, as the numbers of the kids and moms being held in detention unfortunately continue to grow.
Now this week on Capitol Hill, Sister Kathleen Erickson, is spending time in Washington, D.C., to offer her testimony in both a Senate and a House briefing on family detention. Prior to leaving her position recently as Chaplain, she promised the women and children she cared for on a daily basis that she would share their stories with members of Congress.
Sister Kathleen will join with Karen Lucan from the American Immigration Lawyers Association in sharing the sobering reality of family detention with our nation’s leaders who could help push the Obama Administration to shut down family detention facilities to end this inhumane practice, as well as Congress’ existing 34,000 detention bed mandate. Dozens of faith leaders, including RIM’s Director, also met last month with Obama’s top immigration and faith-based officials to call for an end to the practice of family detention.
As early as Monday, a federal judge could issue a ruling that would close the Dilley facility, as well as a partner one in Karnes, Texas. Both are corporately owned, and are our nation’s largest family detention facilities. Over the past few weeks, 33 Senators and 136 Representatives have sent letters to President Obama demanding an end to family detention.
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Read more >Read these stories of individuals and families from the various countries prohibited to enter the US under recent Muslim/Refugee Bans.
Read more >“With timing that has painfully come the very day following the devastating earthquakes in Nepal three years ago, we stand as faith partners together with…
Read more >Washington, D.C. – Faith leaders held a footwashing service in the shadow of the White House this afternoon.The biblical practice of footwashing is part of…
Read more >“I continue to be deeply disturbed by the random choices that this administration makes in removing TPS and other protected statuses. Last night’s decision to…
Read more >The current designation of “Deferred Enforced Departure” (DED) that is currently protecting nearly 4,000 Liberians in the U.S. is set to expire on MARCH 31st…
Read more >1) REFUGEE ARRIVALS TO THE U.S. IN THIS FISCAL YEAR HAVE BEEN STAGGERINGLY LOW! Please help us circulate the below faith leader & faith-based organization…
Read more >Now Available! Disciples Black Immigrant and Refugee Toolkit! For a compilation of resources to help your congregation build awareness of and assist Black refugees and…
Read more >Today, seven Disciples affiliated clergy, Rev. Linda McCrae, Rev. Carolyn Higginbotham, Rev. Jim Higginbotham, Rev. Jon Barnes, Rev. Dawn Barnes, Rev. Sandra Gourdet, and Rev….
Read more >On this day when the President proclaimed DACA protections would end unless a Congressional decision was reached, dreamers remain insecure in the absence of a…
Read more >Faith 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…
Read more >Nine Immigration Themed Resources for Lent Encouraging Faith Commitments in Solidarity with Refugees & Immigrants. Go to 2018 Lenten Devotions.
Read more >On Jan. 8, 2018, DHS terminated TPS for El Salvador, effective Sept. 9, 2019. As communities of faith, we urge the administration to reinstate TPS…
Read more >One Year of Muslim & Refugee Bans: Showing Up Against Discrimination. toolkit and resources
Read more >Rev. 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…
Read more >Thank 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…
Read more >Join in a 3-part Epiphany devotional series and actions in support of Temporary Protected Status populations for Jan. 4-6.
Read more >“Welcome to the Manger” is the theme for the 2017 Advent Devotions. Available for download on the Refugee & Immigration website. Week one: Angels Week…
Read more >These 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 >As we prepare soon to gather around tables again and again during the holiday season, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries invites your congregation and members…
Read more >Dear Disciples Friend, Right now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether or not to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in…
Read more >Disciples are among Christian leaders and activists who held hands and sang in an unlawful demonstration inside of the Russell Senate office building in Washington,…
Read more >Prepare now to plan Dream Sabbath Events! Check out these resources for ways you can participate.
Read more >WASHINGTON, DC — Today, October 17th at 11 a.m., local interfaith clergy will host a rally to call on the Trump administration to preserve Temporary…
Read more >The 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 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 >Please 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 >CONGRESSWOMAN 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 >Hear from Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea in an interview with Sojourners on September 5, decision about DACA.
Read more >On 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 >Please sign the faith letter & call your leaders today & tomorrow to urge DACA not to be ended, join our DACA & TPS Emergency…
Read more >On 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 >Join 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 >Go 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 >RIM’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 >FOR 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 >Rev. 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 is now scheduled for Monday, July 10 at 5:00 p.m.— Calling all seminary students! Please join Disciples Immigration Legal…
Read more >“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…
Read more >The Disciples RIM Staff celebrates the 4th Circuit Appeals Court ruling in Richmond, Va. on May 25 that upheld a lower court ruling which had…
Read more >Join the new #ToImmigrantsWithLove letter writing campaign, sponsored by Define American and I Am An Immigrant. Through it, you can write an electronic letter that…
Read more >Please 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 >Call 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 >The 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 >In 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 >Join 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 >Disciples 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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