The Episcopal Church champions and advocates for humane policy towards migrants because of our belief that every human being is a child of God and must be treated with dignity.
In 2007, the Diocese of Iowa resolved to be a Sanctuary Diocese, "committed to granting places of safety for those who have traveled here as immigrants" (Resolution 155-M).
Our ministry with migration, immigration & refugees, including our involvement in the Sanctuary Movement, has deep roots in our faith tradition's commitment to hospitality to the stranger.
Resources
General
Walking with Immigrants video with the Presiding Bishop
About Sacred Resistance from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Resources from The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations
Liturgical & Small group RESOURCES
Prayers of the People from EMM
Explore the small group curriculum, Discovering and Living God’s Heart for Immigrants: A Guide to Welcoming the Stranger, available from World Relief.
Webinar on Immigration Advocacy for Episcopalians, curriculum for use with webinar
Resolutions & Policies
Episcopal Church Immigration and Refugee Resolutions Summary
From our Diocesan 2007 Journal:
RESOLUTION 155-M
SANCTUARY FOR IMMIGRANTS
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Iowa become a Sanctuary Diocese committed to granting places of safety for those who have traveled here as immigrants.
FOR THOSE IN NEED
List of Immigration Attorneys, Aborgados de Inmagración in Iowa, from IowaMMJ
Creating a family preparedness plan: advice for immigrants from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center
Advice from the Department of Homeland Security on avoiding immigration scams
Informed Immigrant: website with resources for undocumented people & their families (Spanish)
Sanctuary
"Plan for Compassion" in The Living Church
Sanctuary Congregations and Harboring Frequently Asked Questions from the ACLU
Excerpt from Summer 2017 issue of Iowa Connections, featuring articles on Sanctuary
Sanctuary Legal Considerations for Parishes webinar by Mary Kostel for the Diocese of Washington
Organizations
national
Episcopal Migration Ministries: a ministry of The Episcopal Church and one of nine national refugee resettlement agencies in the U.S.; welcomes refugees, educates communities, and mobilizes congregations to advocate for the protection and rights of all migrants
Resources include Bible Studies, Book Discussions, speakers, liturgical and worship, toolkits, and activities
Interfaith Immigration Coalition
local
Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (IowaMMJ): a statewide membership-based legal service and advocacy organization driven and led by immigrant and refugee voices and united with allies; affiliate of the Justice for Our Neighbors network; GILEAD Grant partner organization
Eastern Iowa Community Bond Project: Funds raised will be distributed to community members in need of legal bond and representation. Bonding out our neighbors detained by immigration and connecting them with lawyers gives them the best chance at remaining members of our community and helps keep families together. Average bail is $5,000 to $7,000.
Iowa Legal Aid: Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Iowans, about topics such as housing, income, benefits or safety, how aging is affecting benefits/debts, disaster relief, and more.
*This resource list is made available by the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa for educational purposes only. The opinions, ideas and advice expressed in these documents do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, nor should they be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney.