#FamiliesBelongTogether: Update on How to Take Immediate Action

In April 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the federal government would adopt a zero-tolerance policy for unauthorized border crossings, officially instituting practices that separate migrant children from their families. Thanks to a federal court order, more families are being reunited, but there is much work to be done to support the children and parents whose lives have been upended by this heartbreaking and horrifying policy of separation.  

Through the Reform Movement’s North American Immigrant Justice Campaign, congregations have met the urgency of this moment by offering support and refuge to immigrants in their community, advocating for just immigration policies, and providing direct aid to immigrants in need.  

We share this reflection from Faith Communities Reuniting Families: 

“I’ll behave.” A 4-year old child separated from his family at our country’s southern border was finally able to speak to his mother. He tearfully told her, “I’ll behave,” thinking she had given him up - not understanding that he had been taken from her.  

Our hearts break with stories like this one, which was shared by the boy’s lawyer at a New Sanctuary Coalition meeting. We weep for mothers given only broth and spoiled chicken for months in detention, for children sleeping on the floor not allowed to hug anyone, for employees not permitted to console, for parents taken from their children without a chance to say goodbye. 

We are taught: “You shall not oppress the stranger,” “You shall not harden your heart,” and “You shall free the captive.” We have been taught and now we are banding together to help reunify and support these families. As this humanitarian crisis fades from the headlines, families are STILL not being reunited and the situation worsens daily. As people of faith, we will not look away. We will not shut our ears to the cries of children. We will not throw our hands up in despair.  
 
We will take action. Now.  

Here are three ways your congregation can join the Movement-wide campaign for immigrant justice: 

• Help the International Rescue Committee (IRC) mobilize their staff from 25 refugee resettlement agencies across the U.S. to provide food, clothing, housing, medical care, legal services and trauma counseling to families in need. With $2,500, IRC will help one family safely reunite, arrive at their destination and receive referrals for needed services. Your congregation’s donation of this amount - or any amount - matters, and will make a difference. 

• Help the New Sanctuary Coalition reunite families being held in detention centers by donating to their bond fund. A parent who is in detention cannot be reunited with her or his children until he or she is “bonded out.” This new initiative will help to secure the release of a parent, who can then go to the city where their child is being held and begin the process of healing from the trauma of separation.  

• Join the RAC’s North American Immigrant Justice Campaign and download the RAC’s Immigrant Justice Resource Guide. 

• Learn more about the Reform Movement’s deportation defense work and how your congregation can get involved by watching a recording of a recent webinar.

• Use the RAC’s tool to send a letter demanding that President Trump, Secretary of Homeland Security Nielsen, and Attorney General Sessions end the zero-tolerance policy and reunite immigrant families immediately.  

3. Join the Civic Engagement Campaign to engage with immigrant justice this election season. 

The RAC’s nonpartisan civic engagement campaign is empowering the entire Reform Jewish community to exercise their right to vote and ensure that Jewish voices are present in the public square, regardless of party or politics. Learn more about the campaign and access our candidate engagement resources to learn how your Jewish community can build meaningful relationships with candidates for elected office and hear about their views on immigration and refugee policy. Movement-wide civic engagement increases our ability to protect the rights of vulnerable populations and ensure that candidates and incumbent decision-makers prioritize immigrant justice. 

Let us know what your congregation is doing to promote immigrant justice so we can count you as part of the full force of the Reform Movement!

*Partner organizations include: Auburn Theological Seminary, Central Synagogue, Congregation Beth Elohim, HIAS, Immigrant Families Together, International Rescue Committee, and New Sanctuary Coalition.