Effective Methods for Protection and Advocacy for Immigrants:
- Build or join efforts to advocate for local laws and policies which help:
✓ Cities/counties create a firewall between local law enforcement and ICE
✓ Church and other leaders negotiate with regional ICE Field Office Directors to use their prosecutorial discretion to set up a just and humane criteria for deferred deportation and to maintain churches, schools and hospitals as “sensitive zones.” - Train volunteers to prepare individual and family packets which will help undocumented people with their legal or deferred deportation petitions.
- Train volunteers to help with individual advocacy with ICE/CIS for deferred deportation.
- Prepare to provide short-term emergency shelter to immigrants and a legal assessment.
- Create a rapid response network to film and delay detention.
- If you are in a more dangerous area, help immigrants at risk move to a safer area.
- If you are in a relatively safe area, help newly arrived immigrants resettle.
- Join local actions which are part of national coordinated actions to communicate our support for immigrants to the federal government.
RESOURCES:
Matthew 25 Movement Training Videos
Congregational Discernment Resource [PDF]
Prosecutorial Discretion for Deferred Deportation Packet Instructions and Forms [PDF]
Legal opinion from the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church about the right and limitations of churches in ministry with undocumented people [MSWord Document]
SEE ALSO:
Matthew 25 Movement Pledge
Matthew 25 Movement FAQ