Immigration & Refugee Advocacy Resources
Immigration & Refugee Advocacy Resources
Below are some key ideas for how to continue engaging this discipleship issue within the church and community, which we pray will serve as easy-to-use entry points to what can be a fluctuating and complex ministry area. The following resources will direct you toward ways you can learn about, advocate for, and reach out to immigrant and refugee communities. There are also some legal resources from trusted sources for those interested in using or sharing.
Legal Resources
- Immigration Regulatory Reform – list of reforms from 2010 – 2013
- Prosecutorial Discretion Packet – details about advocating for families
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – details for Dreamers
- Immigration Direct – U.S. Immigration & Citizenship form service
- Legal summary of what churches can and cannot do
Learn More
Quest and Immigration
- See how Quest has engaged conversations on the important and complex topic of how our faith informs our views on immigration advocacy by watching this video of an event co-hosted by Quest in 2013 and looking over the event program.
- Here’s a one-page overview of resources to continue the conversation and engage this ministry area. You can also check out Eileen Scuico’s Immigration: Ways to Act powerpoint to translate these principles into action.
- More information about the theological framework behind Quest’s immigration work can be found here.
A Biblical Framework
- ECC’s 2013 Resolution on Immigration
- Bible verses relating to immigration from World Relief, and a more comprehensive list from openbible.org.
- Scriptures and video for a 40-day “I Was a Stranger…” challenge.
- Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate (Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang)
- Galilean Journey: The Mexican-American Promise (Virgilio P. Elizondo)
- The Future is Mestizo: Life Where Cultures Meet (Virgilio P. Elizondo)
- Who Is My Neighbor?: Christian Faith and Social Action (Justo Gonzalez and Virgilio Elizondo).
Immigration & the Church
- Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church and the Bible (M. Daniel Carroll R.)
- Responding to Immigration Concerns: Some Guidelines for Church Workers
- Immigration Involvement Levels for Churches –Ideas for how churches with varied convictions can engage immigration.
The Immigrant Experience
- Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis (World Relief)
- Trails of Hope and Terror: Testimonies on Immigration (Miguel A. De La Torre)
- Film: Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey
Curriculum for Group Study
- Welcoming the Stranger – an 8-week curriculum series by the National Association of Evangelicals and World Relief
- Strangers in the Land (Sojourners)
Advocate
Spread your voice by making a public declaration of faith-based stance on immigration at the following sites:
- www.pray4reform.org – visit to learn about current legislation, or text “immigration” to 877877 to join the evangelical immigration reform effort
- www.evangelicalimmigrationtable.com – sign the evangelical statement of principles for immigration reform
- Washington Compact – sign for state law reform
- Sojourners – take the Matthew 25 pledge
- Puentes – a Washington-based advocacy group with several ways to get involved
Reach out
Quest Mission Partners include World Relief Seattle, Alexia Salvatierra, and Puentes in South Park. Connect with them, or with these organizations for additional ways you can pray, learn, advocate, volunteer, or provide financial support.
- World Relief Seattle – Supports immigrants and refugees in the Seattle area
- Alexia Salvatierra – Reverend, advocate, and national advocacy trainer, author of “Faith-Rooted Advocacy”
- Puentes – South Park non-profit that supports women and immigrants locally and those impacted by the Tacoma Detention Center
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) – Supporting refugee and immigrant families in the PNW, the NWIRP hotline (1-800-445-5771) helps provide timely, direct legal aid to those who are eligible (based on income)
- www.G92.org – a culture-shaping movement seeking to equip the next generation of Christian leaders for an effective, biblical response to immigration
- ONE America – Does community organizing and advocacy in Washington State.
- WA Immigrant Solidarity Network – A network of partners and resources for advocating for immigrants—check their website for timely updates in the weeks to come for our state and city.
- Washington New Americans – Citizenship and “know your rights” meetings are happening across the state; they are looking for immigration attorneys, paralegals, interpreters, and general volunteers. Sign up here.
