A path forward for lawful status for people who came to the U.S. on humanitarian parole & how you can get involved at Central!
We want to celebrate! Last Sunday, our congregation had the opportunity to send letters to lawmakers advocating for the creation of a path forward for lawful status for people who came to the U.S. on humanitarian parole. By the end of the day, at least 525 letters were sent out! Central has long been a place of welcome, and this effort is a beautiful reflection of faith in action. Deep thanks to Julie Falconer and all those who helped organize.
Here is a report from Julie on our efforts:
Thank you! Thank you for your enthusiastic response to our letter writing campaign last Sunday in which we asked our legislators to provide a lawful path to a legal status for those immigrants who are here on humanitarian parole. By the end of the day, we had prepared about 525 letters. Grace Episcopal is sending their members information on our project. Yesterday Dianne Morrison took letters to the SALT group and today I met with another group. Pastor Joan has reached out to District in hopes that others will decide to respond so our numbers keep growing. It has been gratifying to see so many people step forward to help!
If you would like to support our immigrants and have not yet had the opportunity to do so, I will have letters and envelopes in the office this Sunday that you may pick up. You can also grab them digitally here:
An important update: the Dept. of Homeland Security has announced (read more in this NPR article) that in April 24, they will revoke the legal status of people from Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Cuba who are here on humanitarian parole. According to an AP report, this declaration will affect 532,000 people who will no longer be able to legally work and could be picked up by ICE at any time. This group came here legally, are not accused of any crime, most do not have a safe place to return to, and yet they are being ordered out of our country.
Julie Falconer
Please contact Julie Falconer or the church office with any questions!
Thank you, Julie and Pastor Linda, for your quick thinking and follow through. I had no problem getting others outside our church family to also send these letters this week. It felt good to be able to do something, to speak truth and to seek justice
hi