Encountering Christ in the Refugees and Asylum Seekers
You have probably heard "ICE is dropping off refugees in Phoenix". These are not "illegal aliens". They are not felons. Most these days, are families often with very small children. They have been interviewed by Customs and Border Patrol and approved to stay and apply for asylum.
Leaving poverty and violence
These refugees and asylum seekers are leaving extreme poverty and danger from violence. We are dealing with one part of the whole situation. We cannot control who comes to us - Homeland Security does that. We cannot control who is allowed to stay - US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does that.
To non-believers, we are serving in a "humanitarian crisis". To believers, we are meeting Christ in the poor.
What they need
- Clothes and food, sometimes medical attention
- Help contacting their sponsors in other States
- Help making travel arrangements
- Help getting to the bus station
- Some need to stay overnight because it takes a while to make arrangements
How can we help?
Volunteer Registration Form
Fill out the online volunteer registration form to be updated about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Links of interest
- Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops Statement Regarding Asylum Seekers at the U.S. Border
- Catholic Principles of Migration
- Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity
- Strangers No Longer Together on the Journey of Hope
- What’s happening at the U.S.-Mexico border in 6 charts
- Catechism of the Catholic Church