Asylum & Immigration Response
Responding to the Asylum seeker crisis in the greater Phoenix area. Volunteer
2018 Resolution
…respectfully call upon … to immediately discontinue separating children from their families due to the “zero tolerance policy.”
Statement regarding family separation
Join me in prayer and action as we work to secure the well-being of children and families in the name of the compassionate Christ.
Western Jurisdiction Announcement & Resources
“cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1: 16b-17)
Support Projects
The Inn
A partnership between the United States Government and The United Methodist Church of the Desert Southwest Conference, providing shelter and humanitarian relief to asylum seekers recently arrived in the US.
Arizona JFON
Providing affordable, high-quality immigration legal services, Arizona Justice for our Neighbors also engages in advocacy for immigrant rights, offering education to communities of faith and the public about immigration issues.
Wesley Frontera
“We stand with undocumented and DACA students.” Learn more about ministry with DACA students by reaching out to our Tucson Wesley Foundation and Wesley Frontera. Email Rev. Hannah Bonner to get started.
Statement from DSC Immigration & Refugee Task Forces
As United Methodists, we recognize the inherent value of every person, regardless of race, religion, national origin or immigration status. We look into the faces of those fleeing violence and oppression in their home countries, and we remember that Jesus was himself a refugee. We see his face in them. (2016 Book of Resolutions, #3281 “Welcoming the Migrant to the United States”)
Ways to Take Action
Contact Members of Congress
Call on Congress to stop separating families and reject anti-immigrant anti-family legislation. Urge your 2 Senators and 1 Representative to support and protect family unity by supporting policies that protect and unite immigrant and refugee families.
Neighbor to Neighbor Toolkit
Your Members of Congress will be home from June 30 to July 8. Use this toolkit to put together a team to establish and nurture relationships with your Senators and Representatives and share the importance of protecting family unity.
Mass Mobilization on June 30
Join and support events for welcoming and reflecting on the deep scriptural and spiritual roots of our work to support immigrants. They send a powerful message that upholding family unity and welcoming immigrants is a moral issue that is important.
Amplify Your Message
Message with your Senators and Representatives on social media with the digital media toolkit and hashtags: #FamiliesBelongTogether #KeepFamiliesTogether and #ValueOurFamilies.
Social Media Graphics
Families Belong Together Print: Use any of these images for your social media posts, posters, t-shirts, website, bulletin inserts, flyers, letters, bumper stickers, or any other means of spreading the message.
DSC Liturgical Resources
Use these liturgical resources during worship, in letters to others, for devotional moments, or any other means that will fill your soul and encourage others to join you in raising awareness and mobilizing action that supports family unity.
Learn More & Collaborate
Join the Conversation
- to Email ask about churches supporting refugees.
- Email to host a Know Your Rights Workshop.
- Join https://www.facebook.com/groups/ImmigrationResponse to connect.
RECENT ARTICLES
Better Together
On July 22, a number of United Methodist clergy and laity gathered in Tucson for the Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting regarding asylee temporary housing. Containment. Detention. Call it what you like. I use those terms because the topic of the meeting was whether the Board would approve the use of an active juvenile detention center…
A statement from the people of the Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church regarding immigration
As a community of faith, we take seriously the reality of where God has placed us on this earth, and the responsibility that comes with it. The southern border of our nation is also the southern border of our ministry area. We embrace the Gospel summons to love our...
AZJFON Growing & Moving
By Chris Spencer Thank you to the United Methodist Church for helping in the birthing of Arizona Justice For Our Neighbors, for supporting us financially with donations and inviting us to your local, district, and Conference events for education and advocacy. We are...
Asylum Seekers Update
People of faith have stepped up and are doing their best to help even though these faith congregations are being taxed financially and with getting enough volunteers, especially for jobs like preparing a meal for 100 people or letting a family stay overnight in their home.
Tucson community response to the latest crisis precipitated by ICE
By Scott Morris We were preparing to reopen our shelter for asylum seekers on May 1. Then this happened! Sunday night, after receiving several phone calls pleading for our help, our team decided to open on an emergency basis and take in 50 immigrants. Most of them are...
Contact Us
“The LORD your God is the God of all gods and Lord of all lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God who doesn’t play favorites and doesn’t take bribes. He enacts justice for orphans and widows, and he loves immigrants, giving them food and clothing. That means you must also love immigrants because you were immigrants in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19 CEB)
God calls us to be a COURAGEOUS CHURCH: loving like Jesus, acting for justice, united in hope. What will you do to respond?
