Stand with immigrants and refugees

As you are likely aware, President Trump announced executive orders related to immigration today and we expect to see additional orders in the coming days. We anticipate that some of these orders will severely limit refugee resettlement. This may mean a pause on all refugee resettlement for 120 days, ending resettlement of Syrians and other nationalities, prioritizing persecuted Christians for future resettlement, and reducing the Presidential Determination for refugee admissions for this fiscal year from 110,000 to 50,000. As these executive orders continue to garner media attention, we are calling on you to help us lift up faith voices DIRECTLY TO PRESIDENT TRUMP expressing opposition, in an effort to hopefully change these plans. PLEASE DO THESE THINGS IMMEDIATELY: 1. Join LIRS national conference call to learn more about the impact of the President’s Executive Orders on migrants and refugees and what you and your community can do to stand up for welcome. Linda Hartke, LIRS President & CEO will be leading the call. Please join one of two scheduled conference calls Thursday, January 26th at 2pm (EST), and Friday, January 27that 3-4pm (EST) by calling: 800-326-0013 and entering 1476139 when prompted for a pass code. 2. Sign this petition stating opposition to any plans to stop refugee resettlement. Remember to confirm your sign-on via your email, otherwise it won’t be counted. 3. Tweet @realDonaldTrump & @POTUS – Samples below (please personalize): @realDonaldTrump & @POTUS Don't stop welcoming refugees. Resettlement demonstrates the best of our American and Christian values #RefugeesWelcome @realDonaldTrump & @POTUS Keep America welcoming. Refugee resettlement is a proud American legacy with bipartisan support #RefugeesWelcome @realDonaldTrump & @POTUS People of faith OPPOSE refusing protection to refugees and a religious litmus test for refugees bit.ly/FaithLeaders4ALLRefugeeshias.org/1500rabbis #RefugeesWelcome @realDonaldTrump & @POTUS More than 800 faith leaders stand for welcoming refugees and are opposed to any policy that would keep Muslim refugees from seeking safety: bit.ly/FaithLeaders4ALLRefugees @realDonaldTrump & @POTUS Christians oppose policies that would deny Muslims refuge and preference Christians bit.ly/FaithLeaders4ALLRefugees  4. Send the White House a message at whitehouse.gov/contact – Samples below (please personalize): President Trump, We are hearing that you will stop refugee resettlement and single out some refugees based on their nationality or religion. As a faith community, we are STRONGLY opposed to any policy based on unfounded fears that would endanger refugees and deny access to refugees based on their religion or nationality.  As Lutherans, we work with hundreds of thousands of members in our churches across the country to welcome refugees every day, we oppose any plan to reduce refugee admissions and to prevent Muslim refugees from being resettled in the United States. We urge you to allow the U.S. refugee program to continue to resettle refugees that need our protection regardless of where they come from or how they pray. Thank you for your leadership in ensuring the U.S. remains a beacon of hope for all those who are persecuted that seek peace, safety and freedom. bit.ly/FaithLeaders4ALLRefugees More than 800 faith leaders: "The U.S. Refugee Resettlement program has been and should remain open to those of any religious tradition who face persecution on account of the reasons enumerated under U.S. law. We oppose any proposal that would prevent Syrian refugees or individuals who practice Islam and other faiths from accessing the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Proposals that would have the U.S. State Department disqualify refugees from protection based on their nationality or religion fly in the face of the very principles this nation was built upon, contradict the legacy of leadership our country has historically demonstrated, and dishonor our shared humanity." bit.ly/FaithLeaders4ALLRefugees   5. Offer a special prayer for refugees this Sunday or the following one. The legacy of Lutherans is to be courageous and compassionate in word and service. Please use the prayer linked to this URL in your Sunday worship service http://www.lirs.org/downloads/LIRS_PrayersforRefugees_Jan2017.pdf This is no time to stand idly by or be complacent about defending our cherished legacy of welcoming refugees fleeing war, violence and persecutions and seeking refuge in our country. This is the time to stand firm and fight for the rights of migrants and refugees and our shared American values. Every action counts. Thanks so much for all you do. In faith and solidarity, Folabi Director for Outreach Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service