Today, thousands of people in our communities live in constant fear of family separation, detention, and deportation. Now more than ever, people of faith and goodwill need to step up, speak out, and make a difference.
Here are some suggestions of how you can help support and protect those who are at risk.
• Support an immigrant advocacy group and follow immigrant advocacy groups online. (1) • Volunteer at an organization that serves immigrants and refugees. (2) • Attend public rallies and demonstrations in support of immigrants and refugees. (3) • Write letters to the editor and post messages on social media supporting immigrants. • Support immigrant neighbors, friends and coworkers—learn and share their stories. Never ask an immigrant or refugee about their legal status. By knowing their legal status you could put them or yourself in legal jeopardy. • Encourage immigrants to know their rights and make legal provisions for their families. (4) • Help them contact CVIC’s Spiritual and Emotional Support Team if they need personal support. (5) • Volunteer to accompany an immigrant or refugee to ICE hearings or court appointments. (6) • Volunteer up to provide emergency assistance to immigrant or refugee families. (6) • Learn and share the facts about immigration in this country with people who are confused by what they hear on social media or are told by politicians. (7) • Learn how to have constructive conversations about immigration with family members, friends, colleagues and church members. (8) • Schedule a CVIC Immigration Conversation in your faith or civic group. (9) • If you belong to a faith community, learn more about your faith's support for immigrants and refugees. • Join a local or national group that is organizing for political change and social justice. (10) • Attend public rallies and demonstrations in support of political change. • Contact lawmakers at town hall meetings and with online petitions, emails and letters. (11) • Plan to vote for representatives who will support reasonable and humane immigration policies.