Immigration"We stress that all persons, regardless of migratory status, are rights holders whose protection is a moral imperative. The integrity of the family and the rights of children and spouses of migrants merit prominent consideration."
~~ Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd 2018 Position Papers To read or print the entire Migration Position Paper, click here. To read or print the Congregation's complete series of Position Papers, click here. For more background on on the Good Shepherd 2018 Position Papers and to access them in Spanish, French or English, visit the Congregation's site. |
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ICE Raids - Know Your Rights
Immigrants - know your rights. Call 202-335-1183 for trained volunteers.
Resources
TPS Toolkits
You can help save the lives of 330,000 people in the U.S. who would otherwise be subjected to disease, violence, starvation, the aftermath of natural disasters, and other life-threatening conditions. If enough of us act, we can move the government to not deport U.S. residents who are TPS (Temporary Protected Status) holders.
Below are two toolkits (one on 5 quick actions to take right now and one that goes into great detail). In addition, here is a link to free graphics. |
January 29 - National Day of Prayer to Save Asylum
NAC has joined the Faith4Asylum Nonviolence Campaign to better ensure the safety, care and humanization of people fleeing danger and seeking asylum by increasing asylum acceptance, closing tent courts, and ending the Remain in Mexico policy.
On January 29, the campaign launches with prayer vigils being held around the country. Legislative action will follow in the coming weeks. We encourage you to visit the campaign website to sign the People's Pledge as a person of faith. Click the button below for a toolkit of resources to help create your own vigil. Use hashtags #Faith4Asylum and #SaveAsylum. 
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Refugees & Migrants
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The National Advocacy Center remains committed to working for just and comprehensive immigration reform
to better the lives of those seeking refuge or opportunities in our nation. In a globalized world, people cross borders, temporarily or permanently, for many reasons. Where populations are mired in conditions of poverty, where environmental conditions are not sustainable, or where conflict immerses civilian population in constant violence or virtual dictatorship, people move for both freedom and survival, seeking better social and economic opportunities.
Movement across borders is a perilous journey for those who must separate from families, who cannot acquire legal documents, have documents taken from them, cannot communicate in a new language, or lack education and employment skills. Their situation leaves them vulnerable to being exploited by traffickers and smugglers, even by legally recognized recruiters. Women are increasingly among the vulnerable populations of people migrating. NAC is a core member of the Justice for Immigrants Campaign and actively participates in developing strategy, sponsoring Congressional briefings, scheduling appointments with legislative staff, and making legislative visits. NAC is also a member of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC), participating with members in other faith traditions to lobby for compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform, the end of family detention, and address root causes of migration. NAC joins with IIC in legislative visits and in meetings with senior White House staff. "Catch and Release" Unpacked
Learn the facts about the immigration term "Catch and Release" and why the "zero tolerance" policy is a concern to the Catholic Church here. Heartbreak in Syria |
The Trump Administration and
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Actions by Trump Administration
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Joint Letter by Faith Organizations Against Militarization of the Border
Eighty prominent faith-based organizations and congregations urge members of Congress to oppose any efforts to build a wall or other barrier across the U.S.-Mexico border. "Our faith communities have ministries and relationships deeply rooted in border communities. We have witnessed how current border enforcement policies have torn families and communities apart, contributed to the deaths of thousands of migrants, harmed wildlife and border ecosystems, and violated the rights and humanity of U.S. citizens and immigrants alike. As communities of faith, we believe that government spending should reflect our values and advance the common good. Funding for further border militarization falls far short of these values." Read our letter. Now join the cause. 
Don’t Criminalize Work of the Sisters. Don’t Pass Davis-Oliver Act.
"Faith communities from around the country have been standing strong for several years against the ill-conceived legislation known as the Davis-Oliver Act," says Larry Couch in a statement to Members of the House of Representatives. "The Davis-Oliver Act would harm community safety, expand detention of immigrants, encourage racial profiling, federalize local police and actually criminalize some of the humanitarian works of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd." Read our statement. Now join the cause. |
Joint Letter by Catholic Organizations
The signers wrote to Secretary Kelly that they are "deeply troubled by the pattern of arrests, detentions and deportations of undocumented immigrants across the nation – including violating the previous policy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) not to conduct enforcement actions at or near 'sensitive locations,' including churches and their ministries to the poor and vulnerable. ... "We ask you now to reconsider your recent words and actions. We believe they fan fear and contribute to a pattern of discrimination, hatred, violence and abuse against undocumented immigrants and refugees, separating families, and causing untold suffering of men, women and children. Read our letter. Now join the cause. Good Shepherd Letter to President Trump Opposing Refugee Ban & Border Wall
"In our ever evolving, interconnected world, the exclusion of people has no place. Rather this new consciousness seeks and desires the common good of all beyond borders" states the letter to President Trump from Sisters of the Good Shepherd Circle of Provincials of North America and the Director of the National Advocacy Center. Read our letter. Now join the cause. |
Pass the DREAM Act - America is Built by DreamersNAC thanks Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois for working together across the aisle to bring back this bill. We pledge to work with them and others to help get this legislation passed into law and hope that both parties see the bipartisan nature of these children and mutually support passage.
America was built by dreamers and continues to be built by dreamers. Hope, belief, persistence and perseverance are in our DNA. Read our letter to Congress urging passage of a clean DREAM Act. Read our statement welcoming the bill's reintroduction. Read our response to President Trump's attempt to use the Dreamers as pawns in his negotiations for extreme immigration and border control policies. DACA is Withdrawn - Young Lives in Limbo
"Mr. President, we regret that you have betrayed the hopes and aspirations of the DACA youth. They deserved better." Read our statement opposing the decision. 
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