Loading...September 21, 2015 UPDATE
Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
Over the last several weeks, my colleagues and I have been filled with gratitude and hope as we have heard from so many concerned members of the Church who have called, emailed, and engaged on social media with respect to the Syrian refugee crisis. To each of you who have shared your concern, raised your voice to your legislators, and offered prayers, we thank you. As the situation continues to develop, my office will send periodic emails to keep you up-to-date. If you do not wish to receive these update emails, simply reply 'unsubscribe.' If you have not yet received a personal email/phone call response from my office, you should receive a response in the near future. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
As I have shared with many of you in our phone calls and email correspondence, nothing is more critical at this time than reaching out to your elected officials to share your concern, your support of the refugee resettlement program, and your commitment to be a presence of hope and welcome for some of the world's most vulnerable. It is the heritage of the United States to welcome those fleeing persecution, and it is at the root of the Christian faith to welcome and care for the stranger, the poor, the widow and orphan. We must share these convictions with great vigor.
This week, many anti-refugee groups will be calling their members of Congress seeking to decrease refugee admissions and protections for men, women, and children who have fled brutal oppression and, in many cases, are escaping the terror of extremists. The time is now to respond with a message of welcome, of hope, and of compassion - to counter fear with love.
Please see below for information about how to be involved with this, and other important advocacy initiatives. So many of you have asked "How can we help?" and "How can we sponsor a Syrian family?" At this time, the United States government has admitted fewer than 1,600 Syrian refugees. Before we as individuals, congregations, and communities can welcome those fleeing persecution, we must show a groundswell of support for refugee resettlement and for welcoming Syrian families, or voices of fear will drown us out and those desperately seeking safety will not find refuge here.
1) We need your help getting out calls to both Congress and the White House TODAY and every day this week in support of refugee resettlement and Syrian refugees.
We have learned from our colleagues at Refugee Council USA (www.rcusa.org) that anti-refugee groups will be calling the White House and Congress all THIS WEEK, starting today, in opposition to the administration's announcement to increase resettlement numbers and in opposition to resettling Syrian refugees. We must respond to counteract this fear-mongering and hate with compassion and welcome.
We have work to do—we need as many calls as possible! Please share with your congregation, your family, and your friends.
URGENT: Affirm the Importance of Resettlement & Support for Syrian refugees!
Background
With the administration's announcement to increase annual resettlement numbers to 85,000 in 2016 and 100,000 in 2017, it is critical that we support this increase and continue to call for an additional 100,000 Syrian refugees to be resettled.
Take Action TODAY: We need as many people to call Congress and the White House TODAY and EVERY DAY THIS WEEK.
Feel free to use this script: I support Secretary John Kerry's announcement to increase refugee resettlement in 2016, and want the administration to do even more and resettle 100,000 Syrian refugees on top of the annual numbers. In 1980, the U.S. resettled more than 200,000 refugees, showing that where there’s a will, there’s a way. I am ready, willing and able to welcome Syrian refugees.
1. Call Congress: Call (202) 224-3121 THREE times - for your Representative and both Senators
2. Call the White House at (202) 456-1111
3. Share on social media! Share the White House petition with your friends and let them know that you called your elected officials to share your support for Syrian resettlement. Use #RefugeesWelcome, #WelcomeWorld, #ShareTheJourney and please tag @EMMRefugees. Encourage them to join us!
4. Set up local meetings with your Members of Congress: Every Representative and Senator needs to know that their community cares about refugees. Setting up a meeting with the members and their staff when they are in their home offices can make a huge difference as we seek to help Syrian refugees and improve services that help refugees rebuild their lives . A great toolkit to guide you through how to set up such a meeting and what legislation to discuss can be found at //www.rcusa.org/uploads/pdfs/members/Local%20Congressional%20Visit%20Advocacy%20Toolkit_09.16.15.pdf
2) Calling on refugees, Syrian Americans, faith leaders and other immigrant rights allies in DC / MD / VA to help pack a Congressional hearing on 9/29
On Tuesday, September 29th (time TBA), the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee will host a hearing entitled "The Terrorist Threat from Refugees," in an attempt to foster fear and cultivate anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment to stop the resettlement of Syrian refugees. At a time when the world is seeking ways to welcome and support Syrians fleeing terrorism, and on the heels of Pope Francis's visit, where he will undoubtedly call for welcome of Syrian refugees, this hearing is an outrage.
In an effort to highlight the solidarity of refugees and people of faith, refugee friends, supporters, and advocates are planning to pack the hearing room, silently calling out the hypocrisy of this hearing. We are calling refugees, Syrian Americans, faith leaders and other immigrant rights allies in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas to attend a preparation session and walk over together to this hearing, offering a powerful presence in opposition to anti-refugee sentiment. If you are willing and able to come to Washington, DC on Tuesday, September 29th, please fill out this form before 5pm on Thursday, September 24th. Jayce Hafner (jhafner@episcopalchurch.org), the domestic policy analyst for The Episcopal Church, will be present that day to meet and escort you. Please let us know you plan by completing the form referenced above, and please email me - aduvall@episcopalchurch.org - so we know to look for you.
3) Join the Episcopal Public Policy Network and the Immigration Advocates mailing list
If you are not already a member, please join the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN). The EPPN’s Action Alert Center provides a way for Episcopalians and others to put their faith into action through the prophetic ministry of advocacy. Visit www.advocacy.episcopalchurch.org. You may sign up to receive action alerts and join the immigration advocacy list here. Also, click here to send Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's September 14 statement on refugees to your members of Congress.
4) Stay in touch
Please engage with us on Facebook and Twitter and share what you and your communities are doing to respond with compassion and in love. Daily, we curate news about this crisis and other vulnerable migrant and refugee populations. To receive regular information from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society about Episcopal Migration Ministries' work with refugees, asylees, displaced persons, and other vulnerable immigrant populations,click to subscribe.
The Episcopal Church is an international leader in advocating for protections for refugees and other vulnerable migrant populations. The current refugee crisis, the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II, is no different. It is vital that decision makers hear the voices of their constituents, especially the compassionate voices of members of the Episcopal Church.
It has been a blessing to hear from you. Please continue to stay in touch - I would love to hear what you are doing in compassionate response to this situation. Feel free to send brief reports, tweet me @allison_duvall, send pictures!
Peace,
