The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has advocated for a pathway to citizenship for many years. At the General Assembly in 2012, the assembly passed “On Advocating for comprehensive Immigration Reform,” which urged church members along with other community members to advocate for immigration reform that included “making family unity a priority” and “providing a reasonable and inclusive path for undocumented migrants presently living in the United States to eventually gain citizenship.”
Learn how you can urge your Congressional leaders to act courageously and justly in passing legislation to make pathways to citizenship accessible to undocumented community members!
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Each Monday during August (9, 16, 23 and 30), the Interfaith Immigration Coalition is hosting a Prayers for Citizenship event. Join by Zoom at 10 am MDT for a time of prayer, a time to hear from at-risk communities, and a time to learn how to participate in actions.
On Monday, August 16, the PC(USA) Office of Immigration Issues will host the Prayers for Citizenship event. The office has invited a person who holds Temporary Protected Status and who is seeking a call in the PCUSA to tell her story. Please join to hear her moving story which clearly points to the reasons we need pathways for folks to access citizenship.
Register for the weekly August events at here. Spanish interpretation will be available.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) is a 55-member coalition consisting of faith-based organizations focused on just and humane immigration policy. The PCUSA is a steering committee member. The IIC has created a Pathways Prayer toolkit that provides weekly prayers and actions. There is also an action toolkit for citizenship that includes more information, ways to get involved, and ways to invite others to join the efforts.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19th @ 3 PM MDT
The Presbyterian Church (USA) continues its webinar series, Welcoming the Stranger Webinar Series, with a Pathways to Citizenship episode on Thursday August 19th at 5 pm ET/2 pm, PT.
In this webinar, we will hear from national and local leaders about why citizenship for all is important and how you can engage. We will hear from national leaders engaged in national efforts to gain Congressional support, and we will hear from local leaders who are engaged in local efforts directly tied to community support.
PRESENTERS
Jung Woo Kim, Organizing Director for NAKASEC (National Korean American Service & Education Consortium) is a national leader in the Citizenship for All campaign hosting the first 100 days efforts to draw attention to the need to pass a legislative solution for the undocumented community.
Joseph Fleming, Senior Advisor, Faith Leadership Strategies for Faith In Action is an interfaith organization lifting the voices of faith communities in support of this work. They have state and local affiliates that work directly with at-risk communities. They have led the #WeAreEssential campaign and Fast for Freedom effort.
Iolando Spinola, Immigration Team Co-Chair of Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC) is a local affiliate of Faith in Action in Brockton, MA. BIC includes many immigrant and migrant members who continue to urge the organization to focus on advocacy efforts for pathways to citizenship. They will share how they work to address issues more locally.
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With the Congressional August Recess upon us, the Office of Immigration Issues has released Immigration Asks for 2021 to help you advocate for immigration policy with your elected officials.
Some of us are hesitant to call our elected officials because we have not reached out to them before. Presbyterian Church (USA) Rev. Heidi Worthen-Gamble, Mission Catalyst for Presbytery of the Pacific, provides step-by-step instructions on how to do this well. Watch her video to gain tips for calling your Members of Congress. And then be sure to call urging them to vote for pathways to citizenship!