Guided by compassion
Our faith traditions are generally guided by principles of love, protection for the vulnerable, compassion, and respect for the stranger. Amid aggressive action being taken against our immigrant neighbors, those principles can guide crucial actions that faith communities can take.
There are several categories: direct service, congregational work, and broader support. These reflect diverse needs: correcting misinformation, directly supporting immigrants in federal court processes, offering support and services on your campus, and encouraging support for organizations that provide support and advocacy for immigrants.
Direct Support
- Accompanying At-Risk Communities: Support immigrant families in accessing fairness, due process, and basic survival.
There is a federal immigration court in Concord, and the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity offers training for “Welcome Navigators”—people who help immigrants navigate a confusing facility. Download and distribute these flyers (EN/ES). People with legal experience are also being sought; click here for information.
- Educating and Empowering: promote Know Your Rights information and share rapid response hotline numbers to equip communities with critical information.
On your campus
- Providing respite: Offer your facility as a place of respite, support, and healing during immigration raids. To be fully informed about “sanctuary status,” click here.
- Training Faith Leaders: Ensure your staff understand their constitutional rights and are prepared to protect their communities during an ICE visit or raid on your property. Training and resources are available.
- Offer Alternatives to Racism and Xenophobia: Promote faith values as an alternative to racist and xenophobic rhetoric: support keeping families intact, acting with compassion, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all people, and advocating for just and humane reforms.
Broad Support and Advocacy
- Immigrant Support Groups: Connect with and support these organizations
- Contra Costa County Immigrant Rights Alliance
- Stand Together Contra Costa for immigration legal services, rapid response, and community education
- Catholic Charities of the East Bay immigrant program (Concord office)
- Contra Costa Health immigrant and refugee information and resources
- Advocacy: here at the Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition, part of our work is to organize support for immigration policies consistent with our faith values. For our recent recommendations on state legislation, click here; to send a letter on that legislation to your elected representatives, click here.
