Opposition to Immigrant Detention

“The Episcopal Church has long advocated for humane alternatives to detention, acknowledging that the United States’ current system of immigration detention – with its profit motive for private prison corporations, lack of oversight, and documented abuses – is, by its nature, inhumane and unnecessary. The federal government has been sued for its arbitrary detention of asylum seekers.”^[1] In this light, St. Paul’s vestry supported a Resolution on Opposition to Immigrant Detention which was adopted at the General Convention. “Resolved, that the 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church advocate for a fundamental change to the way we process migrants, moving away from detention and other mechanisms that can support unjust immigration policies and envisioning a just society in which everyone, regardless of national origin, has basic human rights including livelihood family unity, self-determination, and physical and emotional safety.” ^[2] The full resolution and a map of U.S. detention centers is posted here and on the Outreach Bulletin Board in the parish hall in the church; it is also available by number D031 on the Convention summary <vbinder.net>.  A full explanation of the Resolution will be sent to Vestry and is available on request from any parishioner.

The Outreach Committee, chaired by Kelly Trame, began the activity here at St. Paul’s. The Episcopal Migration Ministry (EMM) and other entities are now planning for action based on the resolution.  For example, on Tuesday, August 30th at 3 pm, UTO (United Thank Offering) and EMM are presenting a webinar: “Welcoming our Neighbor with Gratitude” which will explain the Neighbor to Neighbor Program. Register here for the program. Also coming soon from EMM is a virtual advocacy training program and day of action on September 21, 2022 “Love God, Love Neighbor”. The training is centered on advocacy skills to help directly advocate to Congress members about protections for refugees.