In recent weeks, the relentless news cycle has shown the world the darkness that is ever-prevalent in our immigration system.

Immigrant children, adults, and families are suffering. Deaths at our border and in immigration custody, human rights abuses in immigration detention centers across the country, the fear inflicted by threats of wide-spread immigration raids in our cities, the systematic denial of asylum at our border for some of the world’s most vulnerable people—none of this upholds the inherent dignity of each and every human being.

As people of faith, we are a light in the darkness. We keep watch, we do not turn away, we unite in prayer and action for those who migrate. Join us in sending a message to Congress.

Dear [YOUR SENATORS / REPRESENTATIVE],

As a person of faith, I believe in protecting the inherent dignity of every human being, including those seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. It is not a crime to seek asylum.

Recent news reports have highlighted Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials finding immigrant families dead at the border, threats of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the country, overcrowding and inhumane treatment of vulnerable populations, including children, at immigrant detention centers, and the ongoing “Remain in Mexico” policy that leaves immigrant families in dangerous and unstainable scenarios while they await their asylum decision.

This marginalization and mistreatment of asylum seeking people must end.

In light of these grave realities facing asylum seekers, I call on you to:

-Provide CBP with funds to safeguard the dignity of asylum seekers, especially children, in federal detention centers—while prohibiting funding that puts asylum seekers at risk;
-End the “Remain in Mexico” policy and allow asylum seekers the opportunity to wait in the U.S. for the adjudication of their asylum claims;
-Ensure that those seeking asylum can present themselves at the U.S.-Mexico border without delays related to turnbacks (metering) that leave them in harm’s way in Mexico;
-Reduce funding for ICE that would be utilized to target immigrant families and communities;
-Continue to work for humane comprehensive legislation that fully affirms the inherent dignity of all those who migrate to our country.

I join fellow members of the Ignatian Solidarity Network in asking that you uphold the inherent dignity of those seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]