Refugee & Immigration Ministries

Become an Advocate

Why Advocate!

Recognizing that members of Disciples congregations cover the spectrum of political opinion within the life of the United States and Canada, they are also called upon to follow the gospel call to welcome the stranger. Advocacy on behalf of refugees and immigrants is what Jesus would have done.

The number one thing legislators listen to when making decisions is what their constituents say. For this reason your concern for refugees and immigrants needs to be shared with your legislators. It is estimated that only 5 percent of Americans communicate with their representatives in government, and of those only 1 percent communicate on matters that go beyond self-interest to focus on the hurting people of our world. You do not have to be an expert on refugee and immigration issues in order to express your concerns. The conviction behind your words is as persuasive as extensive knowledge of the issue.

What to Advocate About!

Persons wishing to become advocates can receive information on legislative issues and administration policies that have an impact on refugee and immigrants in three different ways:

Some of the issues in "Update" contain information on legislative issues and administrative policies.

Persons with e-mail can sign up to receive Rapid Response Action Alerts as they are sent out.

Recent Rapid Response Action Alerts include:

• December 8, 2011 Urging Congressional representatives not to cut refugee funding
• November 17, 2011 Asking DHS to use greater discretion in immigration deportations
• October 31, 2011 Scary — Alabama immigration legislation
• September 19, 2011 Plan a DREAM Act Sabbath event in your community
• September 7, 2011 Petitioning for continued federal funding for the refugee program
• May 3, 2011 Domestic Refugee Resettlement Reform & Modernization Act 2011
• February 16, 2011 Cuts in Refugee Funding
• November 29, 2010 DREAM Act
• September 7, 2010 DREAM Act Information and Action Days September 13 and 14
• July 22, 2010 Don't Give up on Immigrartion Reform
• June 14, 2010 Continuing Advocacy on Federal Immigration Reform
• May 6, 2010 Conceptual Proposal for Immigration Reform
• March 17, 2010 Immigration Reform Now
• February 12, 2010 Allowing Resettlement of Montagnards out of Vietnam
• January 14, 2010 Temporary Protected Status for Haitians
• December 17, 2009 Immigration Reform Debate Begins
• November 19, 2009 Holiday Postcards on Immigration Reform
• September 22, 2009 Influencing Positive Immigration Reform
• August 20, 2009 Reuniting Families Act
• July 15, 2009 Immigration Reform
• June 17, 2009 Congressional Refugee Caucus
• May 19, 2009 Immigration of Farm Workers
• April 8, 2009 Dream Act
• March 23, 2009 Neighbor to Neighbor visits for immigration reform
• March 12, 2009 Temporary Protected Status for Haitians
• January 23, 2009 New Immigrant Advocacy Tool
• January 14, 2009 Immigrant Children's Health Insurance

Persons with e-mail can also sign up to receive Church World Service action alerts from "Speak Out" which is a public policy advocacy list serve. Subscribers who request action alerts on "Immigration & Refugees" issues receive six to ten e-mails a year. Subscribers will not receive other CWS communications. If you only want e-mails about immigration & refugees, be sure to only check that box.

How to Advocate

The RIM Packet contains Advocacy Tips to help advocates on refugee and immigration issues.