Catholic Church in Michigan Stands Ready to Assist Refugees

Tell Senators Peters and Stabenow & Governor Snyder to WELCOME SYRIAN REFUGEES!

Background: As Catholics and other people of good will are donating to help Syrian refugees abroad and volunteering to welcome them through the Catholic Charities and social service agencies across the United States, the US government has been painstakingly vetting Syrians for US resettlement. The rigorous screening process is conducted over 18-24 months by refugee and security professionals through multiple interviews and multiple security checks. Unfortunately, in response to the shock of the Paris attacks, a number of US Governors recently announced that they want to stop their states from resettling Syrian refugees. Some Members of Congress have even introduced legislation that would stop refugee resettlement altogether. It is critical that public officials hear from their constituents NOW, including Catholics, as decisions are being made that could drastically impact the lives of Syrian refugees and refugee resettlement in the United States. The US has always been a haven for the world’s refugees and the Catholic Church plays a large role in that welcome. The US has a safe secure resettlement process through which we should continue that life-saving tradition. Welcoming refugees is the American way and an important part of our Catholic Christian calling. 

Please take action TODAY: CallSenatorsStabenow and Peters: 1-866-961-4293

Call Governor Snyder TODAY: (517) 373-3400 to again reverse his position and support resettlement of Syrian refugees!

When you call, tell the receptionist that as a constituent, you want to help WELCOME Syrian refugees and that you are against the calls of some governors to reject Syrian refugees.

Example: “I’m a constituent from [City] and I support the resettlement of Syrian refugees. I urge the Senator / Representative / Governor to represent me and other constituents who seek to welcome Syrian refugees.”

Here are some helpful points that you may want to mention, but the most important point is your story and why your community wants to welcome Syrian refugees!

• Welcoming refugees is the American way and an important part of the Catholic Christian calling.
• The US government handpicks the refugees who resettle here, and refugees are the most thoroughly vetted people to come to the United States.
• All refugees resettled in the United States undergo rigorous security screenings by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Department of Defense and multiple intelligence agencies, including biometric checks, forensic testing, medical screenings and in-person interviews.
• This is not an either/or situation. The United States can continue to welcome refugees while also continuing to ensure national security. We must do both.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!                               TAKE ACTION TODAY!

and pray for an end to the scapegoating and fear mongering

Catholic Church in Michigan Stands Ready to Assist Refugees 
For decades local Catholic Charities agencies have worked with the federal government to help resettle refugees from war-torn countries or other politically difficult parts of the world.  The Church engages in this activity to provide humanitarian assistance to highly vulnerable and displaced persons. In fact, the Catholic Church is the nation’s leading institution and advocate for the dignity of all persons, especially those who have been displaced and marginalized, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. Catholic agencies work with refugees who have been approved for entrance into the country by locating safe and affordable housing; providing furniture, food and basic household items; providing English as second language classes; enrolling children in school; providing extensive cultural orientation, financial literacy and employment services; and assistance for health screenings and medical follow-ups. In recent years, the number of refugees fleeing their home country has increased in volatile locations such as Iraq, Syria and other parts of the world. Pope Francis addressed this reality in his speech to the U.S. Congress in September: “Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions…We must not be taken aback by their numbers, but rather view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation.  To respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal.”  
  
The ongoing conflict in Syria has displaced nearly half of that country’s population, and many of its citizens are applying for refugee status in the United States.  Earlier this year Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who has been outspoken in support of immigrants and their contributions to society, encouraged the federal government to send more applicants toward this state.  This week, however, following the terrorist attacks overseas, Governor Snyder issued a directive suspending his previous outreach with the federal government until he was satisfied that Homeland Security and other branches of government are taking the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all Americans. In response to the Governor’s decision, Michigan Catholic Conference released a statement articulating the Church’s readiness to continue assisting refugees: 

“Going forward, once the Governor receives the safety reassurances from Homeland Security he feels are necessary, we expect that Michigan will continue to be a welcoming place. The Catholic Church in Michigan, through its vast network of human service agencies, stands ready and is eager to assist incoming refugees and the most vulnerable who are in desperate need of assistance.” 

In addition, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, chairman of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Committee on Migration, released a statement this week regarding the national refugee conversation and its relation to national security. On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure by a 289-137 vote to suspend U.S. admissions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees until additional procedures are in place. The measure would require the FBI director to certify the background investigation for each Syrian or Iraqi refugee and Homeland Security and intelligence officials would have to certify that they are not security threats before they could come into the country. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is monitoring the bill, which now continues to the U.S. Senate. More information will be provided as it is available.