Episcopal Migration Ministries remains deeply concerned about the tens of thousands of vulnerable immigrant children forced to flee ongoing violence in Central America. We urge Congress and the Administration continue to provide appropriate, child-centered care for these children, while maintaining access to protection and services for all refugee populations.
“We must address overseas crises and crises in our hemisphere with the same dedication to protection and commitment to keeping borders open to vulnerable refugees, or risk damaging our ability to react effectively and humanely to other emerging refugee situations and protracted refugee situations where partners like Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon are hosting millions of Syrian refugees.” – The Episcopal Church’s Congressional Testimony on Unaccompanied Alien Children.
Episcopal Migration Ministries is currently mapping the work that dioceses, congregations, and our affiliate network partners are doing to address the Central American child migrant crisis. If your diocese or congregation is involved in compassionate response to this situation, please let us know by emailing Episcopal Migration Ministries. We are also working closely with The Episcopal Church’s Justice and Advocacy Ministries to connect Episcopalians with needs on the ground as well as to opportunities for sharing information, resources, and mutual support for immigration advocacy and ministry.
The following resources are available from our Justice and Advocacy Ministries colleagues in The Episcopal Church’s Washington, D.C. office:
- Episcopal Response to Unaccompanied Children at the Border
- Episcopal Public Policy Network Advocacy Center
- Sign up to join the Episcopal Public Policy Network
- Immigration Advocate Newsletter: July 30, 2014
- More resources on Episcopal Church advocacy in support of refugees and immigrants
For additional inquiries please contact one of the following:
- Questions about how best to respond, serve, or be in relationship with refugees or other immigrant communities; communication with dioceses across the Church about ministry with refugees, asylees, unaccompanied alien children, and other vulnerable immigrant populations; for partnerships between EMM’s 30 affiliate offices, dioceses and congregations: Allison Duvall, Episcopal Migration Ministries’ Program Manager for Church Engagement Allison Duvall or (212) 716-6027.
- Information on immigration issues (humane immigration reform, immigrants’ rights, family reunification, refugees and asylees, unaccompanied alien children, victims of human trafficking, and/or other vulnerable migrant populations); information, resources, and mutual support for immigration advocacy and ministry: Katie Conway, Refugee and Immigration Policy Analyst, in The Episcopal Church’s Justice and Advocacy Ministries in Washington, D.C. kconway@episcopalchurch.org or (202) 599-8601.
We thank you for responding to the needs you see through loving service and for your concern for all refugees and vulnerable people. We hope that you will check this page often for ongoing updates and welcome your continued support of the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries.