At that time the disciples came to Jesus, asking, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven? So Jesus called a child, had him stand in front of them, and said, “I assure you that unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. The greatest in the Kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles himself and becomes like this child. And whoever welcomes in my name one such child as this, welcomes me.” Matthew 18: 1-5
Families and children from around the world, the majority
from Central America, continue to arrive at the U.S. southern border to seek
safety and hope. Under the new “zero tolerance” policy, even people
showing up at an official port of entry are being treated as if they are trying
to sneak into the country. The increase in people leaving El Salvador,
Guatemala and Honduras in the past 6 years has been recognized as a
humanitarian emergency in these home countries, rooted in decades of poverty,
failed government policies, broken families, lack of protection for women and
children, and violence that continues to plague the region.
Reports from our local church leaders share first hand
accounts of families who have been separated by U.S. immigration authorities,
the adults placed in one detention system and the children in another with no
established communication or tracking between them. Parents can be moved
to a detention center in one state and their children to another. In
other cases, parents are ordered deported back to Mexico while their children
are still in U.S. Custody.
Meanwhile, the border is almost closed off to those seeking
protection from the U.S. Border officials tell people that arrive at an
official port of entry to seek asylum
(the only proper way to make such a request if you are outside the U.S.) are
being told to “come back later.” Such actions are creating a new
humanitarian crisis for our Mexican neighbors. The scene varies from one
border section to another, in one area a large group is visibly waiting while
in another, they scatter in search of shelter from the 101F weather.
On June 20th Executive Order “Affording Congress an
Opportunity to Address Family Separation” further criminalized migration
through the expansion of family detention on military bases and other
government property, potentially indefinitely. The order codifies
Attorney General Sessions’ zero-tolerance policy, instructing officials to
continue to prosecute adults crossing the border as criminals—including those
who are seeking asylum–, “but will seek to find or build facilities that can
hold families—parents and children together—instead of separating them while
their legal cases are considered by the courts.” The order also seeks to modify
the 1997 Flores settlement, a legal agreement that bars the detention of
migrant children for more than 20 days.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has been responding
in cooperation with mid-councils and congregations along the border, the Office
of the General Assembly's Office of Immigration Issues, the Office of Public
Witness and our ecumenical and interfaith partners working with refugees and
immigrants. PDA has already begun approving small grants to Presbyteries
that are working with local non-profits to help families reunite and to provide
“know your rights” orientations to those seeking asylum. PDA will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to
families with basic needs, legal orientations and family reunification
assistance even as we advocate for more humane treatment by the US Government.
Prayer for Unaccompanied Children
We pray…
For children from Central America who, seeking safety, make
the dangerous journey to the U.S./Mexico border.
For parents who travel beside their children, for parents
who must remain at home and for parents who have gone ahead.
For children being held in temporary immigration and Customs
Enforcement shelters across this country.
For children who have been reunited with family in the
United States.
For children who face deportation.
For children who return to the fear they tried to escape.
For grace and courage as we seek to live up to our nation’s
heritage as a haven for the tired and poor, and huddled masses yearning to
breathe free.
For generosity and creativity as we work with church and
state to find places of grace, safety, and hope for children and families who
are refugees.
For all who would help: for communities of welcome, for
volunteers and visitors, for chaplains, social workers, immigration officials
and border patrol, judges and health care workers who tend to the needs of
frightened children and seek to balance urgent necessity with strained
resources.
For a peaceful spirit as we work and serve among neighbors
whose fearfulness prevents generosity from flowering in human hearts.
For the PC(USA) as we follow Jesus Christ who loved and
honored children and who came to give abundant life to all.
Amen
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