In Cleveland, we are joining together to create a humane and compassionate response to immigrants and refugees. We at IRTF—along with strong partners like Jobs with Justice, the ACLU, and IndivisbleCLE—have been convening an Immigrant Rights Collaborative since early 2017. The Collaborative is a team of representatives of faith communities and immigrant defense organizations—as well as other committed individuals—that meet regularly to share information and plan coordinated strategies. We work on a number of things that have been coming at us non-stop since January 2017:
-emergency responses to detentions or raids
-detention visits
-bond funds
-support for families of detainees
-accompaniment to ICE check-ins, to Immigration Court
-legislative advocacy
-faith communities’ pledges of immigrant defense
-sanctuary support
-public education
-public mobilizations: marches, rallies, direct actions
Forming a community of love and compassion, we recognize our government’s responsibility (and our own complicity) in the push factors that drive people to leave their homes, to flee violence and destitution. We must reject “zero tolerance” polices and instead exercise hospitality. We can and must turn this country into a place of welcome. We must demand that our government treat migrants from Central America as refugees and grant them their internationally-recognized right to seek asylum. See them as our sisters and brothers who seek shelter and safety. Show them love and compassion. Welcome them with hearty hospitality. Be a people of solidarity.
Please join us.
