CALL TO ACTION
Inspired by migrants organizing to #SaveAsylum in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, the Ignatian Solidarity Network has joined the call of the Kino Border Initiative and Save Asylum coalition to come together in solidarity this Fall to call for the restoration of asylum protections.
Migrants and our partners at the border have identified that it is crucial to build bridges between the U.S.-Mexico border and the interior of our country to foster education, awareness, and action for migrant justice. The voices and actions of faith leaders, including women religious, clergy, and lay leaders have proved a powerful force for building public momentum, as demonstrated during the Catholic Days of Action to reunite migrant children with their families in 2018.
Stand in solidarity with asylum seekers.
TAKE ACTION
Send a message to President Biden calling for the protection of people seeking asylum.
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- 1. TRAVEL TO NOGALES ON 9/25 (OR WATCH THE LIVESTREAM)
- On the eve of World Day of Migrants and Refugees, as designated by the Vatican, our border partners have invited faith leaders (both vowed religious and lay) from throughout the U.S. to travel to Nogales, Arizona / Sonora to participate in a migrant-led public action to restore asylum protections on Saturday, September 25, at 2 PM PT, and to consider playing a public role in this action, which may involve accompanying and bearing witness to migrants who wish to present at the port of entry to request asylum.
- Can’t make it to Nogales? Watch the livestream above on 9/25 at 2PM PT.
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- 2. TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, D.C. ON 9/29
On Wednesday, September 29, at 12PM ET faith and civil society groups will gather at Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. to join in prophetic action in solidarity with migrants denied access to protection by the ongoing implementation of Title 42, and who must wait for the restoration of asylum in border towns fraught with danger. Lifting up the demands and testimonies of migrants impacted by these policy failures, the action will amplify the #SaveAsylum Campaign’s week and national day of action just days before the CDC is to reassess the public health order. Key faith leaders from multiple traditions will raise the call to welcome with dignity, alongside asylum seekers, elected representatives, medical experts, and the broader faith community.
- 2. TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, D.C. ON 9/29
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- 3. ORGANIZE A PUBLIC WITNESS IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
- In addition, our partners have asked for people to organize prayerful public witnesses across the country on September 25th and on each Friday throughout the month of October. The hope is that these public witnesses will be prayerful in tone, share the stories of asylum seekers, ideally occur at sites related to the federal government (ie. federal buildings, courthouses, DHS offices, etc.), and attract local media attention.
Prayer Resources for Local Actions
- Prayer Resource – Restore Protections for Holy Families (Kino Border Initiative)
- A Collected Booklet of Prayers for Migrants (USCCB)
- The Way of Asylum – Stations of the Cross (Kino Border Initiative)
- A Moment for Grace: A Prayer for Refugees (Catholic Relief Services)
- Prayer for Refugees and Migrants (Catholic Charities USA)
- Rosary for Vulnerable Migrant Populations (Justice for Immigrants)
- Protect Holy Families Sign (8.5 x 11 – PDF)
Asylum Seekers in the News
- Supreme Court Orders The ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy Reinstated For Asylum-Seekers (NPR, August 25, 2021)
- UNHCR alarmed over US ‘expulsion flights’ to southern Mexico (UN News, 11 August 2021)
- Biden administration increases border deportations and prosecutions to deter migration (CBS News, August 10, 2021)
- Biden’s Challenge at the Border (New York Times, Aug. 10, 2021)
- U.S. starts flying migrant families into Mexico far from border (Reuters, August 5, 2021)
Written Testimonies of Asylum Seekers
- Saul’s Testimony (SaveAsylum.org)
- Beatriz’ Story (SaveAsylum.org)
- Suyapa’s Story (Kino Border Initiative)
- Mauricio’s Story (Kino Border Initiative)