“Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.” (Proverbs 31:8).
The vulnerability of immigrants and uprooted persons overseas requires that the compassionate voice of the Church be heard on their behalf. These brothers and sisters often have no voice but ours to plead for justice. This advocacy work comprises a significant portion of EMM's ministry. The Gospel mandate to serve the least among us and our Baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons are imperatives that call us to carry forth the voice of the Church on behalf of refugees, immigrants, and other at-risk uprooted groups for whom protection through better public policy is needed.
Legislation intended to redress injustices and neglect of these groups becomes a key basis of advocacy for concerned Episcopalians. EMM keeps you informed, through our website, or if you sign up, through our Action Alert e-mails, about pending legislation and provides samples of letters you can use to urge your representatives to do the right thing. EMM also collaborates actively with the Church’s Office of Government Relations in garnering legislative support for Church policies concerning refugees and immigrants and through the Episcopal Public Policy Network calls Episcopalians to act on behalf of legislation which reflects the resolutions of the Church concerning refugees and immigrants.
Church leaders undertake mission trips to lift up the concerns of the uprooted as a way of giving urgency to their needs.
Recently, Episcopal Migration Ministries, participated in the drafting of an interfaith statement, signed by representative from 135 religious organizations, which urged the Senate to pass a workable, family-friendly immigration reform bill. Accompanying this was a concerted campaign carried out in conjunction with the Church’s Office of Government Relations to mobilize Episcopalians nationwide in support of comprehensive immigration reform. The Church passed two resolutions that served as the underpinning of this advocacy initiative.
