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Official Statement from Mormon Women for Ethical Government on Refugee Resettlement in Texas
We are deeply troubled by Governor Abbott’s decision to reject refugee resettlement in the state of Texas. The new court decision striking down President Trump’s executive order means the governor’s refusal will not stand, but his letter made it clear he does not believe new refugees are welcome. We decry this decision of exclusion and strongly encourage him to reconsider it. We applaud those leaders, like Utah Governor Herbert, who not only opted in to the refugee resettlement program, but also requested additional refugees, saying they are “eager to see the number of admittances rise again.” Herbert painted an accurate picture of mutual benefit and an embedded culture of compassion…
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Refugee Resettlement: An Update
January 9, 2020 By Christie Black, Director of Engagement I have been working within the Phoenix refugee community since 2015, and my immigrant friends have become a part of my everyday life. When the president issued Executive Order 13888 last fall, which requires all state and local governments to opt in to receive refugees in 2020, my heart sank into my stomach. I thought back to when I was volunteering for a local non-profit in 2016. I was helping with their Facebook posting, which required me to receive Google alerts for any mention of the word “refugees.” Some of the media notifications were absolutely ugly — and absolutely false —…
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Urgent Call to Action: Immigration Detention
December 6, 2019 Here’s one quick and simple thing you can do right now if you’re feeling heartbroken and enraged at news of another child’s tragic and unnecessary death in immigration detention. Call the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection and demand that they follow the CDC recommendations for giving migrants the flu vaccine. Then encourage two or three other people to call as well. DHS Office of Inspector General: 1-800-323-8603(Just FYI, they will ask for your name and contact information, but we’ve been told it is only for purposes of following up on questions about the investigation.)DHS Comment Line: 202-282-8495 You can also submit a complaint…
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Call to Action: Call Your Representatives About Migrant Protection Protocol
November 21, 2019 Last week MWEG introduced the Principles of Ethical Government. One of the three guiding principles is responsibility — that “all human beings are mutually accountable to their fellow human beings.” We believe we will be held responsible by our Heavenly Parents for how we treat each other or allow others to be treated. This is no less true of how we are treating our brothers and sisters south of the border who are suffering in Mexico as they wait for asylum to be granted. In January of this year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a new policy called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP, also publicly…
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Advocating for Refugees in Arizona
By Christie Black, MWEG Arizona Member and Senior Director of Engagement November 21, 2019 Many members of the MWEG Arizona chapter are committed mentors of refugee families in cities throughout the state. We have spent countless hours preparing for, resettling, teaching, serving alongside, and loving our new friends who are fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries. We have watched with dismay as the numbers of refugees the U.S. will accept drops each year, and our hearts fill with sadness for those who are left in limbo, waiting for the opportunity to resettle in a new home. October was an abysmal month in particular, as no refugees were admitted…
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Call to Action: Encourage Your Governor to Accept Refugees in Your State!
Governor Gary Herbert of Utah sent the letter below to President Trump, asking him to continue to allow refugees to be resettled in Utah. This is in response to the President’s executive order, which places the onus of accepting refugees on state and local governments. Governor Herbert’s response was swift and clear and a model for other governors to follow. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was himself a refugee from war-torn Eastern Europe during World War II. He has often spoken of his own experience in order to encourage Church members to welcome refugees. Similarly,…
