The foreigner residing among you
must be treated as your native-born.
Love them as yourself,
for you were foreigners in Egypt.
I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:34, New International Version
All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement:
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14, Common English Bible
For the last five years, young undocumented immigrants who had been brought to the United States as children have an the opportunity to seek authorization to come out of the shadows and work, study and live without fear of deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program established by President Obama. These young immigrants are known as the Dreamers and the program is known as DACA. Some 800,000 dreamers currently have DACA status, and most are working and/or attending school. Tuesday, September 5, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that over a six month period DACA will be ended. Here is some basic information that you should know and links to more detailed information and resources.
What is DACA? a good, short overview of DACA in Wikipedia
Ending DACA is unchristian, a guest editorial by Untied Methodist Bishop Carcaño in Time magazine.
Information about the current situation, mental health, organizing, and more: Here To Stay Resources
Información sobre la situación actual, ayuda mental, organización y más: Nos Quedamos Recursos
Listen to immigrant youth. Build relationships. Become a trusting ally. Relationships, Relationships, and Relationships.
Tell the political leadership of this country to pass the DREAM Act: Contact congressional members Click here to write your congress person
Become part of local safety networks: Local networks for protecting immigrants
Become a sanctuary church or sanctuary support church: About Sanctuary and Other Church Actions
Stay in contact through our Greater Northwest Facebook group We Welcome Immigrants
This web page was created to provide tools and encouragement to help us love one another, love our neighbors and love the stranger. We do so in response to God’s call and joyfully knowing that in these acts of love and accompaniment we may meet Christ or perhaps be surprised by angels. (Matthew 25:35-36, Hebrews 13:2).
Please note that nothing here serves as a substitute for the legal representation of an attorney regarding specific situations and the law.
Are we not called to love our neighbor, to seek the Kin-dom in our midst, and help create communities that show forth God’s love and justice in how we treat one another?
The American Friend’s Service Committee invites us to work for Sanctuary Everywhere.
See the links below and those in the menu on the top right for a variety of resources to help you and your congregation or faith community to move forward.
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