A photo essay by Asher Imtiaz Wim Wenders, a German director of two of my favorite films — Paris, Texas, and Wings of Desire — is also a photographer. “The most political decision you make is where you direct people’s eyes,” he writes in The Act of Seeing (Faber & Faber, 1997). This is something I have reflected on a lot in recent times. Where to direct people’s eyes? In … [Read more...] about The Burundian Immigrants of Tucson
refugees
Opinion: Kenya Refugee Expulsions Unconscionable
By Joseph Wandera Amid a global Covid-19 pandemic, the government of Kenya has once again threatened to shut down two huge refugee camps in Dadaab and Kakuma, northern Kenya. This threat comes as billions across the world stay at home, afraid for their lives and futures. The decision, if implemented, will have grave humanitarian consequences for some of the neediest … [Read more...] about Opinion: Kenya Refugee Expulsions Unconscionable
Cap on Refugees Threatens to Cripple EMM
By David Paulsen Episcopal News Service The Episcopal Church condemned the Trump administration’s decision, announced Sept. 26, to further slash the number of refugees to be resettled in the United States to a historic low of just 18,000 – a move that threatens to cripple the ability of Episcopal Migration Ministries and other agencies to maintain the United States’ … [Read more...] about Cap on Refugees Threatens to Cripple EMM
New Video Describes Episcopalian Support for Immigrants
There are four Episcopal dioceses that hug the border between the United States and Mexico, and the bishops of each diocese describe in a new video the work being done to support immigrants in what Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry called "a humanitarian crisis." The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook discusses the work of RefugeeNet, an agency of the Diocese of San Diego that for … [Read more...] about New Video Describes Episcopalian Support for Immigrants
Border Bishops Seek Improved Conditions at U.S.-Mexico Border
The 11 bishops who serve in the six Episcopal dioceses in Texas and New Mexico have released an emotional appeal calling for the end of "the inhumane conditions at our country's borders." We write to decry the conditions in detention centers at our border because we are Christians, and Jesus is unequivocal. We are to pray without ceasing for everyone involved -- refugees, … [Read more...] about Border Bishops Seek Improved Conditions at U.S.-Mexico Border
EMM Honored for #SupportRefugees Video
At a time of heightened attention to refugees and immigrants, Episcopal Migration Ministries has won an award for a moving seven-minute video titled #SupportRefugees. The video, funded by the Mormon Church, describes the work of EMM and features resettled refugees telling their stories. Episcopal Migration Ministries is a ministry of The Episcopal Church and is one of … [Read more...] about EMM Honored for #SupportRefugees Video
A Bishop’s Pilgrimage to Nogales, Mexico
The Rt. Rev. Kirk S. Smith, Bishop of Arizona, describes spending time among refugees in Mexico: A little more than a week ago, I traveled to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, to be with some of the refugees seeking asylum in this country. I was deeply saddened by the suffering I witnessed, but also heartened by the good work that Deacon Rodger Babnew and his team of volunteers are … [Read more...] about A Bishop’s Pilgrimage to Nogales, Mexico
Calif. Bishops Join Refugee Plea
All Episcopal bishops in California have joined this statement by the California Episcopal Public Policy Network. In recent days, over 6,000 migrants have gathered at the California-Mexico border fence seeking appointments with American immigration officials to petition for asylum. With wait times projected to last for months, many are forced to live in shelters where food … [Read more...] about Calif. Bishops Join Refugee Plea